Melania Trump received a Palm Beach society award on Wednesday at a luncheon held at The Breakers, a local luxury resort.
For the past 28 years, the Woman of Distinction Award from Palm Beach Atlantic University, a small Christian college in West Palm Beach, Florida, has been bestowed on two women with ties to the community and local charities.
“First ladies define the history of our country,” said event co-chair Frances Fisher in a statement in January, when the announcement was made that Trump would receive the award. “We are honored to recognize Mrs. Trump as a Woman of Distinction and the only first lady since Mrs. Kennedy to be a Palm Beach resident.”
During a brief speech, Trump highlighted her work on “Be Best,” the platform she launched two years ago to help children across three different pillars: well-being, online safety and opioid abuse.
“Raising emotionally healthy children starts with teaching them how to make responsible decisions,” said the first lady, who spoke for several minutes after a brief video was played for luncheon guests. “It is our job as adults to pass along wisdom and build children’s confidence, so they have the best opportunity to succeed in life.”
Trump also touched on social media’s potentially adverse effect on young people.
“Technology has become a daily part of our children’s lives in both positive and negative ways. We live in an age where too many people allow the number of retweets or likes to define their self-worth,” Melania Trump said on Wednesday. “I am convinced now more than ever that teaching healthy online behavior is crucial to securing a safer future for our children.”
First lady Melania Trump touted her “Be Best” program as she accepted an award from Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida. https://t.co/Y3lc8i4NVt [1] pic.twitter.com/ILiumcYch9 [2]
— ABC News (@ABC) February 20, 2020 [3]
But this part of her initiative has received criticism in light of Donald Trump’s frequent use of Twitter to name-call and belittle perceived adversaries — no matter their age.
Regardless, Melania was quick to hit Twitter to brag about her award.
Thank you @PBAUniversity [4] for the 2020 Woman of Distinction award. It was wonderful to share the positive impact #BeBest [5] has on communities across the country & inspiring to see a university so dedicated to teaching students the importance of giving back. pic.twitter.com/2uPBm3OT5Q [6]
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) February 20, 2020 [7]
Twitter was quick to respond:
This is just so wrong. She has done nothing vaguely good. I’m sure she got this pretty blue bowl by paying someone somewhere. 🤢 Weekly fake smile for photo op. Sickening when I think of all the unsung women that really do positive things.
— patsyinparadise (@plwhit49) February 20, 2020 [8]
Yep so distinguished…… pic.twitter.com/D96Oko7dd1 [9]
— Democrat all the way!!! (@ivotebluedou) February 20, 2020 [10]
#BeBest [5] #hypochristians [11] pic.twitter.com/nuGJ2NXrtQ [12]
— Bill St. John (@WillytheRealtor) February 20, 2020 [13]
“I am convinced more now than ever that teaching healthy online behavior is crucial for securing a safer future for our children”
–
She lives with the most vile, disgusting, online bully on the planet and said that with a straight face.— Peace to All (@Laurenciamata) February 22, 2020 [14]
That’s a class act pic.twitter.com/4gG4erQrBS [15]
— Jay Graney (@GraneyJay) February 21, 2020 [16]