First lady debuts her ‘Be Best’ campaign for kids’ well-being

WASHINGTON — Melania Trump gave a splashy launch Monday to her public awareness campaign to help children, calling it “Be Best.” In a rare twist on their White House roles, she commanded the Rose Garden lectern while President Donald Trump watched from the audience.

The first lady said the “Be Best” campaign will focus on childhood wellbeing, social media use and opioid abuse.

“As a mother and as first lady, it concerns me that in today’s fast-paced and ever-connected world, children can be less prepared to express or manage their emotions and oftentimes turn to forms of destructive or addictive behavior such as bullying, drug addiction or even suicide,” she said.

“I feel strongly that as adults, we can and should ‘be best’ at educating our children about the importance of a healthy and balanced life,” she added.

Trump embraced his wife after she finished her speech and kissed her cheeks five times in a rare public display of affection. They held hands as they walked into the Oval Office after Trump signed a proclamation declaring Monday as “Be Best” day.

The first lady kicked off the event as the White House pushed back against a Washington Post report that referenced rumors Trump does not live with the president, with press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders denouncing it as “outrageous” and “ridiculous.”

The first lady lived fulltime in New York during the administration’s opening months so the couple’s son, Barron, now 12, would not have to change schools midyear.

MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA First lady Melania Trump announces her initiatives addressing issues affecting children, including cyberbullying, during a ceremony Monday at the White House.