Is Melania trolling Donald Trump with her pυssγ-bow blouse and 'destructive' social media behaviour speech?
She came to talk about cyberbullying, but is Melania Trump using her latest appearance to troll the President?
The First Lady arrived in Rockville – a Maryland city near Washington, D.C. – on Monday morning to promote her Be Best initiative at a cyberbullying summit.
Melania wore a navy trouser suit for the occasion, but her choice of blouse — a pale lavender pυssγ-bow style — was the real scene-stealer.
In the past, the 48-year-old’s decision to wear pυssγ-bow blouses — most notably during the 2016 presidential debates — have been interpreted as a dig against Donald Trump’s comments about “grabbing [women] by the p***” during a taped conversation with Access Hollywood‘s Billy Bush released just before the election.
At the time, she called his words “unacceptable and offensive” but said that she accepted his apology.
The First Lady’s attendance at Monday’s Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention Summit has also been accused of being hypocritical by critics who claim her Be Best platform is at odds with her husband’s habit of insulting people on social media.
Just last week, the President called former aide Omarosa Manigault Newman “that dog” on Twitter.
Stephanie Grisham, the First Lady’s communications director, told CNN that outcry about President Trump’s behaviour would not prevent the “strong and independent” first lady from pursuing her anti-bullying crusade.
“She’s addressed this before,” Grisham said. “She is well aware of the criticism, but that will not deter her from doing what she feels is right. I would hope most people in this country are proud that they have a strong and independent first lady who only has the best interests of children at heart — I know I am.”
At the summit, Melania’s speech about protecting children from cyberbullying made reference to “destructive and harmful” behaviour on social media.
First Lady Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) Addresses Cyberbullying Prevention Summit – LIVE on C-SPAN2 https://t.co/czdvE2tFD5 pic.twitter.com/GbMENP9ret
— CSPAN (@cspan) August 20, 2018
“In today’s global society, social media is an inevitable part of our children’s daily lives,” she said. “It can be used in many positive ways but can also be destructive and harmful when used incorrectly. This is why Be Best chooses to focus on the importance of teaching our next generation how to conduct themselves safely and in a positive manner in an online setting.”
Her comments are already being picked apart online, with many commenters calling her statement “ironic” in light of her marriage.
Tell her to start at home!!!
— Renee Love (@horton_niko) August 20, 2018
Her husband is the number one culprit
— Antony Oyugi (@AntonyOyugi6) August 20, 2018
What a crock! She should tell her hubby to Be Best.
— 🌻Shari🌻 (@50Hippie) August 20, 2018
Dear @FLOTUS:
You can help us all prevent cyberbullying by reporting your husband’s Twitter account.
Love,
America#CyberbullyingSummit
— Wendy Wasserman Schultz (@dvorakoelling) August 20, 2018
Melania Trump speaks at a cyberbullying summit today. Maybe tomorrow Karen Pence will Grand Marshall a Pride parade. Then Wednesday, Paul Ryan’s wife can lead a living wage rally. Sure, why not. #BeBest
— Wendi Aarons (@WendiAarons) August 20, 2018
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