Melania Trump unveils steps to make 'Be Best' even best-er
WASHINGTON (AP) — A year after launching her first major initiative, Melania Trump unveiled plans Tuesday to make her "Be Best" children's program even best-er.
New steps in the first lady's second-year push include broadening the program's focus on drug abuse and social media use, along with her second international trip to promote its goals. She withheld the destination, however, saying the "details are still coming together."
Mrs. Trump launched "Be Best" a year ago to focus on child well-being, social media use and drug abuse.
She said she has spent the time since listening to and learning from parents, medical professionals, teachers, leaders in the fields of technology and social media and many others, and declared that she is ready for more of that give and take. In a short video that played on monitors in the Rose Garden before she emerged from the Oval Office to kick things off, the first lady said many children have written her to express concerns about drug abuse and online safety.
"I'm ready for all of the work that is still to be done," she said in the video.
She also invoked her twin roles as first lady and mother of a 13-year-old. She did not mention her son, Barron, on Tuesday, but has said in the past that she has conversations with him about the harm caused by drug abuse and addiction.
Mrs. Trump celebrated "Be Best's" anniversary in the sun-splashed Rose Garden, the same place where she launched the initiative in May 2018. President Donald Trump watched from a front-row seat and left the spotlight to his wife. He did not speak. Guests included Cabinet secretaries who support the initiative, White House officials, representatives of social media companies and others.
Mrs. Trump said she has broadened the program's focus on drug abuse to include...