5 things to know about Melania Trump's 'Be Best' campaign for children's health

First lady Melania Trump revealed her "Be Best" initiative May 7 to promote social, emotional and physical health for children.

Here are five things to know about the campaign.

1. Be Best will focus on three pillars: well-being, social media use and opioid abuse.

2. A "person close to Mrs. Trump" told The New York Times the first lady has felt limited by the boundaries of her role, but she felt inspired to launch Be Best after receiving letters from children who were bullied.

3. The campaign will organize and repackage some existing programs. "BE BEST will champion the many successful well-being programs that provide children with the tools and skills required for emotional, social, and physical health," the White House announcement reads. The initiative will also promote established organizations and programs already working toward these goals.

4. Be Best will also solicit ideas for additional programs and initiatives from places Ms. Trump has visited, such as a clinic for infants born with opioid addiction and schools, according to The New York Times.

5. The nature of the campaign has drawn criticism online, The New York Times reported. Twitter users said some of the materials promoted by Ms. Trump were plagiarized, referring to a booklet from the Federal Trade Commission called "Talking With Kids About Being Online." The FTC issued a statement noting it was "excited" that Ms. Trump shared the booklet.

However, there was significant backlash from the first lady's communications director, Stephanie Grisham, against media outlets for reporting this criticism, according to The New York Times. "I encourage members of the media to attempt to Be Best in their own professions," Ms. Grisham's statement read.   

 

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