It is a first in the Trump era of American politics. First Lady Melania Trump was the guest speaker at the Baltimore Youth Summit on Opioid Awareness Tuesday and some in the audience booed as she was introduced. The media present covering the event was only too happy to report about that.
Melania Trump spoke as a part of her Be Best initiative. The youth summit at the University of Maryland in Baltimore was not completely hateful to her but enough of them booed as she was introduced that it was noticeable. Many of the participants continued to talk to each other during her speech. Their behavior was described as “raucous”. We’ve never seen this kind of public disrespect for a First Lady but this is 2019 and President Trump is running for re-election. The gloves are off and if the young adults have to do the dirty work, so be it.
You may remember that Melania visited a children’s hospital in Boston earlier this month and she was protested by the nurses and staff members. If this sort of public behavior continues against Melania Trump, that episode can be seen as the beginning of a trend. If rowdy teens and Trump-deranged adults think she will be deterred, I think they are sadly mistaken. The way she pressed on and completed her commitment to the summit shows she is truly a role model for women everywhere.
“Thank you to all of the students who are here. I am so proud of you for the bravery it takes to share that you have been strongly affected by the opioid epidemic in some way,” she said above loud, persistent talking in the audience in an auditorium at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
“Promoting education and awareness on these issues will always be one of my top priorities. I am in this fight with you and I am fighting for you. I encourage you, if you are struggling with addiction right now, reach out for support — whether it’s a teacher, parent, friend, grandparent, coach or pastor, talk to an adult in your life that you trust. It is never too late to ask for help,” she told the crowd.
The First Lady was also booed and jeered as she left the stage upon the completion of her remarks. To be clear, neither of the outbursts of boos and jeers were greater than the cheers and applause she received. Normal polite behavior is not noteworthy, though, in press reports for anyone in the Trump administration universe. Apparently, the tide is turning for the First Lady.
After thinking about the response to Melania Trump, I reached a conclusion that it is probably to be expected, given the behavior we so often see on college campuses today. If the adults in their lives behave in disruptive ways or encourage the behavior, then it is to be expected that young people mirror that behavior. Remember that nurses and hospital staff members (adults) first protested publicly, outside of the hospital. College professors and public school teachers are often liberal, anti-Trump members of the left. Occasionally there are news stories of a public school teacher putting an anti-Trump question on a test. None of this is helpful for an already divided nation.
Melania has shown a love for children and young people from the beginning of her time in the White House. She visits schools and hospitals across the country and the world. One of her goals in her Be Best initiative is centered around helping youth deal with the opioid crisis.
“I know each one of you has hopes and dreams for the future, whether it is college, joining the military, or playing a sport, your future will be determined by the choices you make,” Mrs. Trump said.
“Using drugs will only slow you down and prevent you from achieving those goals,” she said.
The summit is sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and actor Mark Wahlberg’s youth foundation with the goal of helping educate students, teachers and parents about opioid use and misuse.
Whether you are a Trump supporter or not, Melania Trump has performed admirably as First Lady. She has gone about her duties with dignity and respect for those around her. The only time that she caused waves was when she wore the jacket with the writing on the back but that was a popular jacket at the time and the only controversial part was the timing of her wearing it. Her appearance is flawless and though she is a former model, she is ignored by women’s magazines. The treatment extended to her by the haters is truly something to watch. She is an immigrant to America and is fluent in five languages. If she were anyone but Donald Trump’s wife, the haters would receive her differently.
The 2020 presidential election cycle is already contentious. As election day approaches, the tension will grow. As it stands today, Trump is in a good position for re-election and that is causing the left and their cohorts in the media to act out of panic. Let’s hope that this developing trend of bad behavior towards Melania Trump doesn’t continue. She remains undeterred.
.@FLOTUS responds to the loud booing reception she received in Baltimore this morning: “We live in a democracy and everyone is entitled to their opinion…I remain committed to educating children on the dangers and deadly consequences of drug abuse.”
— Annie Karni (@anniekarni) November 26, 2019
I am proud of the DEA 360 Strategy and @WahlbergYouth @JWahlly for hosting B’More Youth Summits on Opioid Awareness across the country. We need to work together to educate our nation’s youth on a healthy and drug-free life.
Thank you for inviting me to join you today! #BeBest pic.twitter.com/yvKd69KZi5— Melania Trump 45 Archived (@FLOTUS45) November 27, 2019
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