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Is Melania Trump coming to a school near you?

Jun 28, 2018

First Lady planning solo trip to meet British schoolchildren during UK tour with president

SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

Melania Trump gives a White House speech outlining her Be Best initiative

Melania Trump may visit a British school on her own to talk about the dangers of cyberbullying as part of her Be Best campaign.

The first lady is considering hosting a standalone event when she and her husband visit the UK next month, according to The Daily Telegraph.

The plans for the presidential tour are being finalised this week during a visit to the UK by a White House delegation led by Joe Hagin, the president’s deputy chief of staff and “one of the organisational masterminds behind Trump’s summit with Kim Jong Un”, the newspaper says.

What is the Be Best campaign?

Launched in May, the first lady’s “Be Best” campaign is designed to teach children about “the importance of social, emotional, and physical health”.

The drive urges children to use social media in a “positive” way and warns about the dangers of opioid addiction.

“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 oftentimes turn to forms of destructive or addictive behaviour such as bullying, drug addiction or even suicide,”  she said during a White House briefing to launch the three-pronged programme.

“I believe our responsibility lies in the critical time before a child reaches adulthood.”

Following the announcement, spectators were quick to critique the campaign slogan’s grammar, with President Trump reportedly laughing off queries about whether it was grammatically correct, says Newsweek.

Where would she visit?

No specific school has been named as yet, but an event in London has been ruled out “amid fears it could become a focal point for protesters voicing their opposition to Donald Trump”, reports the Telegraph.

British figures involved in the planning “are keen to avoid a repeat of the Hamburg G20 gathering last year, when Melania was unable to leave her hotel due to protests”, the paper adds.

Other possible visits and events are also under discussion, but UK officials say the final decision is up to the first lady’s team of advisers.

What else is on the Trumps’ itinerary?

The president and the first lady are expected to meet the Queen at Windsor, and Prime Minister Theresa May at her country retreat Chequers, although nothing has been confirmed publicly.

The second half of the Trumps’ trip will see them in Scotland, “where UK officials believe the president could visit both his golf courses there, Trump Turnberry and Trump International Golf Links Scotland”, says the Telegraph.

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