President Donald Trump’s wife Melania Trump will be honored by a Florida university for her work in connection with her “Be Best” initiative. However, netizens reacted negatively upon hearing the news with some even saying that it’s their first time hearing of the award in the first place.
Melania Trump is set to receive the 2020 Women of Distinction award which will be given by the Palm Beach Atlantic University, according to Newsweek. The award is given to those who made “significant contributions” to the community and will be given at a luncheon to be held at The Breakers resort on February 19.
“In her role as First Lady, Mrs. Trump focuses her time on the many issues affecting children,” Palm Beach Atlantic University said in a statement. “An unwavering characteristic of the First Lady is her aptitude for showing love and compassion in all that she does.”
Melania Trump’s Be Best campaign was launched in May 2018 and focuses on children’s safety in three areas such as social media use, the opioid crisis, and well-being. The FLOTUS will be given the distinction for her work in these areas.
“Mrs. Trump has traveled across the country and internationally to highlight programs and people who are dedicated to helping children overcome these modern-day concerns,” the university added.
However, Twitter users were not too pleased upon learning of the award. In fact, one user even questioned if the award is legit.
“As someone from that area (I literally went to FLORIDA Atlantic University locates next to PALM BEACH state college) I’ve never in my life heard of Palm Beach Atlantic University and it legit sounds fake,” a Twitter user wrote as reported by Express.
Another user hinted that the award selection might not be as impartial as expected. “Palm Beach Atlantic University is basically a mini Liberty U (Small super evangelical Christian college),” one user tweeted. “So it’s just part of the evangelical snake-handling love fest on Trump.”
It’s not so surprising for Melania Trump to receive criticism when work on her Be Best campaign is mentioned. Last year, she was under fire when she remained silent when Donald Trump criticized teenage activist Greta Thunberg on social media, an act that many viewed as an example of the cyberbullying Be Best is campaigning against.