First lady Melania Trump was dragged into the social media frenzy over President Donald Trump's jab at climate change activist Greta Thunberg as people reminded the president of his wife's Be Best platform.
On Wednesday, Time announced that Thunberg was its person of the year for her activism that has commanded the world's attention. While some applauded the magazine's selection, the president, who's had a few tiffs with the 16-year-old, wasn't on board with the decision.
"So ridiculous. Greta must work on her Anger Management problem, then go to a good old fashioned movie with a friend! Chill Greta, Chill!" Donald wrote in a Thursday morning tweet.
So ridiculous. Greta must work on her Anger Management problem, then go to a good old fashioned movie with a friend! Chill Greta, Chill! https://t.co/M8ZtS8okzE
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 12, 2019
As she has in the past, Thunberg capitalized on the criticism and updated her Twitter biography to match the president's tweet.
That tweet caught social media users' attention, as his Twitter activity tends to do, and several users asked Melania to chime in and condemn her husband's words, given that it broke with her Be Best initiative.
Seriously @FLOTUS if you don’t call out the President right now delete the #Bebest movement. https://t.co/HLeXOQAsvx
— David Weissman (@davidmweissman) December 12, 2019
Hey @FLOTUS...since you’re so outraged when children are used and bullied...how about a public rebuke of your sociopath husband for bullying a 16 year old girl with Asperger’s? Oh right, I forgot, “I really don’t care, do you?” #BeBest #Melania #Trump #GretaThunberg
— Andy Ostroy (@AndyOstroy) December 12, 2019
The President of the United States is using his powerful platform to bully a schoolgirl.
— Rula Jebreal (@rulajebreal) December 12, 2019
Hey, @FLOTUS, is this what you meant when you said #BeBest?
Your husband is bullying a 16-year-old girl.
Why are you silent in this?#GretaThunbergOutdidTrump https://t.co/W2HLEbCt5D
Good morning.
— Zack Hunt (@ZaackHunt) December 12, 2019
The president of the United States is using his twitter account to bully a child.
Be Best, Donald. https://t.co/sjjuGtnFWa
If only we had a US-based anti-bullying campaign “led” by a widely-followed public figure. That would be best. https://t.co/SEpVMZRZyX
— Mariana Alfaro (@marianaa_alfaro) December 12, 2019
Bullying a child to start your day??? #BeBest https://t.co/IxnPmskuxe
— Rep. Andrew Learned (@AndrewLearned) December 12, 2019
Some on social media juxtaposed the president's tweet about Thunberg with Melania's response to law professor Pamela Karlan bringing up first son Barron Trump during the recent House impeachment hearings.
"Dear @FLOTUS, the next time you want to call out others for the way they speak to children, including your son, please remember this tweet from your husband," tweeted gun rights activist Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter, Jaime, was killed in the 2018 Parkland, Florida, school shooting. "You may want to speak to your husband NOW to let him know this was not OK!!! You may want to tell him to Be Best!!!"
Dear @FLOTUS, the next time you want to call out others for the way they speak to children, including your son, please remember this tweet from your husband. You may want to speak to your husband NOW to let him know this was not OK!!! You may want to tell him to Be Best!!! https://t.co/QBjZNBXZ01
— Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) December 12, 2019
Did you tell your horrible husband to leave @GretaThunberg alone? Peep his twitter, chick & whisper #BeBest. Maybe he’ll listen to you.
— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) December 12, 2019
As for shame, bopping a man who is married to get a green card for you & ultimately your parents isn’t exactly awesome. But do you @Flotus! 😘 https://t.co/JqUYc0qiJH
During Karlan's testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on December 4, she said the Constitution prohibited nobility. Therefore, the president could name his son Barron, but he couldn't "make him a baron," she noted.
Melania, who has shown she won't tolerate her son being dragged into politics, tweeted that Karlan should be ashamed of using a child to engage in "very angry and obviously biased public pandering." Karlan apologized after the first lady posted her tweet, admitting she was wrong but adding that she wished the president would apologize for the wrong things he's done.
Stephanie Grisham told CNN's Kate Bennett that Barron is a 13-year-old who "wants and deserves privacy" whereas Thunberg is an activist who "travels the globe giving speeches." As for Be Best, Grisham said Melania will continue to use it to help children.
Statement from @PressSec to me regarding @FLOTUS response to @realDonaldTrump’s tweet directed at @GretaThunberg : pic.twitter.com/4BPxK2KSTd
— Kate Bennett (@KateBennett_DC) December 13, 2019
In May 2018, the first lady announced her Be Best campaign, aimed at helping children live meaningful, healthy lives. One of the campaign's three pillars is online safety and teaching children to "choose their words wisely and speak with respect and compassion," both verbally and through social media, according to the website.
Since the announcement, the first lady has encountered criticism for the initiative. Critics claim it's hypocritical to advocate for children engaging in respectful online discourse when her husband regularly uses social media to disparage his opponents.
This article has been updated to include comment from the White House.
