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Twitter Shreds Melania Trump's 'Be Best' Anti-Cyberbullying SpeechÂ
Twitter Shreds Melania Trump's 'Be Best' Anti-Cyberbullying SpeechÂ
Even as Melania Trump was preparing a speech on the deleterious effects of online bullying, Donald Trump was name-calling on Twitter.Â
As part of her unironic "Be Best" antibullying campaign that includes encouraging social media users to be kind and respectful to one another, Melania Trump -- whose husband, Donald Trump, recently called a woman of color a "lowlife" and a "dog" on Twitter -- delivered a speech about cyberbullying at a summit Monday in Rockville, Md.
"In today's global society, social media is an inevitable part of our children's daily lives," Melania Trump said, according to CNN. "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."
For her first major initiative as first lady, Trump launched the "Be Best"campaign in May despite her husband's near-daily invective on social media, a disconnect that she has previously addressed, according to her communications director, Stephanie Grisham.
"She's addressed this before. 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," Grisham told CNN.
Even as Trump was prepping her speech, her husband was ruthlessly tweeting this weekend about former CIA director John Brennan, whose security clearance Donald Trump ripped away last week as payback for speaking out against him. Trump tweeted that Brennan is a "hack" and "the worst CIA Director in our country's history."
Then in her speech, Melania Trump said, "Let's face it. Most children are more aware of the benefits and pitfalls of social media than some adults, but we still need to do all we can to provide them with information and tools for successful and safe online habits."
Of course, Twitter users were predictably vicious and hilarious in their response to her hypocrisy.
\u201cFirst Lady Melania Trump - \n\nIs your bullying husband going to unblock those he silenced on Twitter (Twitter is a social media platform) for speaking out against him?\n\nAsking for a friend. \nAnd Be Best!\u201d— Angela Belcamino (@Angela Belcamino) 1534778540
\u201c@FLOTUS @HRSAgov @SecAzar You asking people to be best at cyberbullying is like Al Capone\u2019s wife asking people to be best at using guns.(Be Best is not a grammatically correct phrase).\u201d— Melania Trump 45 Archived (@Melania Trump 45 Archived) 1534806375
\u201cAnd get this, Melania Trump speaks out against cyberbullying as part of her Be Best. No really!\u201d— Bobby \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Bobby \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1534775362
\u201c@realDonaldTrump Isn\u2019t Melania Trump right now at her \u201cBe Best\u201d campaign, which aims to stop bullying? #stopTweeting\u201d— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1534775037
\u201cFirst lady Melania Trump speaks out against cyberbullying as part of her Be Best campaign.\n\nThere are not enough GURL BYES.. for this foolishness. \ud83e\udd37\ud83c\udffd\u200d\u2640\ufe0f\ud83e\udd26\ud83c\udffd\u200d\u2640\ufe0f Be Best\ud83d\ude44\ud83d\ude44\n\nCNN\nMSNBC\n#deadlinewh \nHardball\n#TheLastWord\nNational Disgrace\u201d— politicsdiva (@politicsdiva) 1534777483
\u201c@FLOTUS @HRSAgov @SecAzar Gurl, just hold on. Mueller's trying to secure your freedom.\ud83d\ude02 Thoughts and prayers. #BeBest\u201d— Melania Trump 45 Archived (@Melania Trump 45 Archived) 1534806375
\u201c@FLOTUS @POTUS @HRSAgov @SecAzar You know if you divorce him you send a strong message about bullying? As well as get paid.\u201d— Melania Trump 45 Archived (@Melania Trump 45 Archived) 1534806375
