Despite Hollywood’s Scorn, Melania Trump Has Accomplished Much as First Lady
Ginny Montalbano /
Hollywood’s feminist hypocrisy was on full display Sunday night at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Actress Kristen Bell, who was hosting the event, joked about being a “first lady.”
“I think my first initiative as first lady will be cyberbullying,” Bell said to “much laughter” from the audience, according to the The Huffington Post. “Because I have yet to see any progress made on that problem quite yet.”
Melania Trump, of course, had said she wanted to work against cyberbullying while in the White House.
Unfortunately, Bell isn’t the only one missing—or choosing to overlook—the considerable achievements of Melania Trump and the other women in the Trump White House.
Women across the country marched for a variety of reasons Saturday, but a singularity was a particular dislike, even hatred, for President Donald Trump. To counteract that, the president took to Twitter to cite the incredible achievements that have helped women, noting in particular: “Lowest female unemployment in 18 years!”
Beautiful weather all over our great country, a perfect day for all Women to March. Get out there now to celebrate the historic milestones and unprecedented economic success and wealth creation that has taken place over the last 12 months. Lowest female unemployment in 18 years!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018
Not only have Trump’s policies benefited women, his administration is full of dynamic, intelligent, exceptional women in a variety of roles. They include Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Kellyanne Conway, Hope Hicks, and Nikki Haley, just to name a few.
To say the left portrays first lady Melania Trump unfairly is an understatement. She is frequently cast as a distant, one-dimensional woman plucked from an ivory tower and thrown into the White House unwillingly.
The opposite is true. The first lady has brought a remarkable degree of grace, dignity, and quiet strength to a position that, while unofficial, is steeped in tradition and significance for our country.
She is an extremely qualified and accomplished person on her own merits, and has expressed her delight and desire to serve in the capacity as first lady.
Here are the first lady’s top moments of her first year in the position:
- Inauguration: The president’s inauguration was her first official event, and all eyes were on her during the historic event. She aced it. The world of fashion is important for those in such high-profile positions. Fashion can be wielded as a tool to send a message, to honor, and to subtly make a point. Mrs. Trump instantly drew comparisons to another young, stylish, well-versed, and private first lady, Jacqueline Kennedy. Unlike Mrs. Kennedy, Mrs. Trump does not enjoy the adoration of the press, no matter how much credit or appreciation she deserves.
- Overseas tours with the president: Even those in the media opposed to the president generally agreed that the first lady handled herself in a way that was dignified, elegant, and worthy of praise on the world stage during high-profile trips to the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Mrs. Trump’s fashion choices were significant and well thought out, and her compassion was on full display in Rome. She met with several groups of children, and also confirmed she is indeed a Roman Catholic after meeting with Pope Francis. These trips also highlighted her knowledge of multiple foreign languages—French, German, Serbian, and Slovenian.
- Hurricane Harvey: Many naysayers prematurely thought that Hurricane Harvey would become the president’s mismanaged “Hurricane Katrina.” The opposite occurred. The president and federal officials coordinated as expertly as possible during a natural disaster with state and local officials. Often overlooked, the first lady and Karen Pence, the wife of the vice president, returned to Texas together to offer support and witness the recovery process firsthand. She made a relatable pit stop at the well-known local favorite, Whataburger, which became a hit on Twitter.
- Bringing Christmas back: During the 2016 presidential campaign, one of Donald Trump’s favorite promises was to bring back widespread public recognition of Christmas. “We will say ‘Merry Christmas!” he would frequently shout to the crowds, receiving ecstatic cheers while striking a blow against political correctness. The president certainly accomplished his goal. And the first lady actually brought Christmas back into the White House. The first family sent out an elegant Christmas card and also created an official “first family” gold ornament, prominently featuring “Christmas at the White House” inscribed at the bottom.
Recently, the Office of the First Lady announced a series of staffing additions, including a director of policy, signaling a growing portfolio and comfort level in the position.
Though it’s a role that was not expected or perhaps even natural for her, Melania Trump has risen to the challenge. She is a first lady all Americans should be proud of and respect.