In her own subtle way, first lady Melania Trump showed support for the student activists from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, who are advocating for stricter gun control laws.
‘I have been heartened to see children across this country using their voices to speak out and try to create change,’ Melania Trump said at White House luncheon Monday. ‘They’re our future and they deserve a voice.’
The first lady addressed the Valentine’s Day shooting at the top of her four-minute-long remarks, given to the political spouses of those attending the National Governors Association in Washington, D.C., these last few days.
First lady Melania Trump made brief remarks at a luncheon for governors’ spouses at the White House Monday
First lady Melania Trump said she was ‘heartened’ to see the vocal students speak up in the aftermath of the Parkland, Florida shooting
‘They’re our future and they deserve a voice,’ the first lady told the small crowd, gathered at four different tables for a spouses luncheon, and using Lady Bird Johnson’s china
After her remarks, the first lady sat down at the nearest table for a luncheon that is part of the National Governors Association winter meeting
Walking into the Blue Room in a sleeveless blush dress, the first lady talked to the four tables of attendees, who were about to eat lunch on Lady Bird Johnson’s ornate china.
‘Before I begin, I want to be sure we take a moment to reflect on the horrific shooting in Florida,’ the first lady said. ‘Our continued thoughts and prayers go out to all who were affected by such a senseless act.’
‘As a parent, I cannot imagine the kind of grief and tragedy like that brings,’ she continued. ‘And I hope and know we all find ourselves wondering what we can do to help.’
‘In my year as first lady, I have also learned that it’s oftentimes after a tragedy that you see the strength and resilience of the human spirit,’ she added.
She then gave a tip-of-the-hat to the student activists.
The first lady touched on the topic of internet use – she had announced in a November 3, 2016 speech she would tackle cyberbullying as first lady – and opioid addiction too, before asking for the governors’ spouses help on children’s issues.
‘In my role as First Lady I want to nurture and protect the most valuable part of our society and our future, children,’ she said. ‘I hope you will join me today in my efforts and ask for your support.’
‘My office will be reaching out to many of you in the future as we travel the country and work to promote and fight for the well-being of our children,’ the first lady added.
Since the Parkland, Florida massacre President Trump has floated various ideas on how to deal with school shootings.
Most recently he’s been interested in arming teachers at schools.
On Saturday, the president also retweeted a Sandy Hook conspiracy theorist, who suggested the mourning parents from the 2012 shooting were ‘crisis actors.’
Trump’s tweet showcased radio host Wayne Dupree taking about being a black conservative four years ago, with the president chiming in about the more recent black unemployment rate.
In the aftermath of the Feb. 14 shooting in Parkland, Dupree had been criticizing the activists from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, posting on social media that he thought they were play-acting, while questioning their sexuality.
‘Unfortunately, you can already tell these kids are going to be card-carrying leftists,’ Dupree wrote beneath an image of Emma González and David Hogg on CNN, two of the most vocal students.
‘I hate to be blunt despite what tragedy they went through, but both those kids look like they are going to be future members of the LGBTQXYZ movement,’ Dupree said.