Melania Trump Hosts 6th-Graders at National Bullying Prevention Month Event

Ginny Montalbano / October 25, 2018

First lady Melania Trump marked “National Bullying Prevention Month” on Tuesday by inviting nearly 30 sixth-grade students from the Washington area to attend a screening of the film “Wonder” at the White House.

“Wonder” is a movie about a young boy suffering from Treacher Collins syndrome, a condition that causes facial deformities. 

“As you may know, October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and I encourage everybody to be kind to each other, to treat each other with respect in everyday life and [on] social media,” the first lady said.

Thank you to the students & teachers from @DPApcs who joined me & @BetsyDeVosED to watch the movie #Wonder in the @WhiteHouse theater today. What a wonderful message! #BeBest #BullyingPreventionMonth #ChooseKind pic.twitter.com/rdGjOfcnCm

— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) October 24, 2018

The Office of the First Lady noted that the movie highlights the “importance of choosing kindness,” tying it into the first lady’s “Be Best” initiative. “Be Best” is a multifaceted campaign targeting issues that children face today. It has three main focuses: well-being, social media use, and opioid abuse.

In her first solo sit-down interview, she spoke with ABC’s Tom Llamas for a recent “20/20” special “Being Melania.” The interview was recorded in Africa earlier this month during her first major solo trip abroad as first lady.

No topic was out of bounds, which was noted by Llamas, and the first lady once again addressed the criticism she faces for her anti-bullying efforts as a result of President Donald Trump’s combative Twitter posts.

.@TomLlamasABC on @FLOTUS interview: "I think she truly cares about combating cyberbullying. I think she cares about her son Barron a lot & I think she is trying to balance one of the most complicated times for a first lady in the @WhiteHouse." #TheStory https://t.co/7X5x937d73 pic.twitter.com/5kKUXG3vM1

— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 13, 2018

“I don’t agree always [with] what he posts. But his action is his action. And I tell him that. I will be hit with criticism [for] talking about cyberbullying. But it will not stop me [from doing] what is right,” she said.

“He didn’t say not to do it. He understands that he’s very tough on Twitter. But he understands that I want to help [the] next generation and the children,” the first lady added.

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos attended the “Wonder” film screening as well. DeVos previously participated in a listening session with the first lady in April, at which they spent time with 13 middle-schoolers at the White House.