Melania Trump, the former First Lady of the United States, made headlines when she launched her signature initiative, "Be Best," in May 2018. Focused on children's well-being, online behavior, and opioid abuse, the campaign was ambitious in scope and deeply personal in its intent. But why did Melania choose to focus on this particular platform—and what hurdles did she encounter along the way?
At its core, "Be Best" was designed to advocate for children across the country. Melania Trump’s own experience as a mother to Barron Trump heavily influenced her priorities as First Lady. She often emphasized the importance of promoting kindness, healthy living, and responsible behavior among youth.
The initiative had three main pillars:
Well-being of children – Promoting social, emotional, and physical health.
Social media use – Encouraging positive online behavior and combatting cyberbullying.
Opioid abuse prevention – Educating families about the dangers of drug abuse.
Melania appeared to genuinely care about the long-term mental and physical health of America’s youth, particularly in a rapidly evolving digital world. She was quoted as saying, “As a mother and as First Lady, it concerns me that in today’s fast-paced and ever-connected world, children can be less prepared to express or manage their emotions, and too often turn to destructive or addictive behaviors.”
Despite her clear intentions, Melania’s initiative faced several notable challenges that limited its success and impact.
One of the most difficult hurdles Melania faced was public skepticism, particularly regarding the social media pillar. Critics pointed out the contradiction between her anti-bullying message and her husband Donald Trump’s often aggressive Twitter persona. This led to widespread doubt about the authenticity and consistency of the campaign.
Another challenge was the vagueness of the initiative’s goals and how they would be achieved. While "Be Best" raised awareness about important issues, many critics and media outlets noted the absence of detailed policy plans or long-term benchmarks. This made it difficult to measure the success of the program and diminished its credibility.
Upon its launch, parts of the "Be Best" booklet appeared to be lifted from an earlier document published under the Obama administration. This plagiarism accusation overshadowed the campaign’s debut and became a distraction from its core mission.
Unlike other First Lady initiatives that enjoyed sustained media attention (such as Michelle Obama's "Let's Move"), "Be Best" struggled with low visibility. Melania Trump’s generally private demeanor and limited number of public appearances also contributed to the campaign’s lower profile.
Although "Be Best" had its share of controversy, it still managed to highlight critical issues such as cyberbullying and opioid addiction. Melania Trump visited schools, hospitals, and rehab centers to amplify her message, and she partnered with several federal agencies and private organizations.
By the end of her term, Melania defended the initiative’s achievements, stating, “I have been inspired by children I’ve met across the country and around the world. Their positivity, strength, and support has kept me motivated.”
The "Be Best" initiative, despite its limitations, leaves a mixed legacy—well-intentioned but hindered by public scrutiny, strategic missteps, and political contradictions.
Melania Trump’s decision to focus on the "Be Best" initiative stemmed from her role as a mother and her desire to make a positive impact on children's lives. However, challenges such as inconsistent messaging, media backlash, and lack of transparency limited the initiative’s reach. Nonetheless, "Be Best" shed light on important topics and reflected the unique lens through which Melania viewed her role as First Lady.
