Melania Trump took to the stage Thursday and told voters she will dedicate herself to improving the lives of women and children should she have the honour of becoming first lady of the United States.
She appeared at a rally in Brewyn, Pa., to vouch for her husband, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, less than a week before Americans head to the polls. Pennsylvania is a key state, with a boatload of Electoral College votes, which the Trump campaign is hoping to tilt in its favour.
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While Trump’s style could perhaps be described as a “bull in a china shop,” his partner appeared in contrasting style, speaking compassionately. She detailed her husband’s growing concern over the years for the American worker and his dismay at news of plant and factory closures.
“He could not sit back anymore and watch what was happening in our country, and this is when this campaign — this movement — began.”
Along with attesting to her husband’s intentions: safe and secure borders, honouring the constitution, and access to education among them, she outlined what her main focuses would be as wife of the president.
Calling social media “a centrepiece of our lives,” she acknowledged its power and its dark side and vowed to tackle cyberbullying.
“Our culture has gotten too mean, and too rough, especially to children and teenagers. It is never OK when a 12-year-old girl or boy is mocked, bullied, or attacked; it is terrible when that happens on the playground, and it is absolutely unacceptable when it’s done by someone with no name hiding on the Internet.
“We must find a way to support the basic goodness of our children, especially in social media. It will be one of the main focuses of my work, if I am privileged enough to become your first lady.”
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Mrs. Trump’s words stood in stark comparison to her husband’s behaviour, who has been known to go on Twitter rants and attacks, often using insulting and abusive language online and on the campaign trail.
In her speech Mrs. Trump also pledged to improve the lives of all women in America, especially those “left behind.”
“We cannot call ourselves a fully developed or advanced nation when 50 per cent of our women live in poverty.”
No woman should have to choose between paying her rent or buying food, Mrs. Trump said, America “cannot afford to have more of the same.”
While Mrs. Trump promises to be a champion for her gender, her husband’s treatment of women has come under increasing scrutiny during the campaign. A leaked video revealed Trump saying he can “do anything” to women, and at least 10 women have come forward claiming to have been sexually assaulted by Trump.
It was one of Mrs. Trump’s first major speeches since speaking at the Republican National Convention in July; where her appearance drew ridicule and accusations of plagiarism of Michelle Obama.
This time around, she needn’t worry about garnering the same reaction.
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“This man I know so well, Donald Trump, with your help and God’s grace, will make America great again,” Trump concluded.
U.S. election day is Tuesday, Nov. 8.