Watch: Melania Trump Shares Incredible Moment with Hospitalized Children and Their Parents
Melania Trump has a reputation of being a bit cold and aloof, but she just shattered that perception with a very warm visit to a children’s hospital to spend time with some deserving children.
On Thursday, the first lady shared photos of her visit to the Children’s National Health System hospital in Washington, D.C. “Thank you to all the nurses, doctors & medical staffers who work around the clock to take care of people this holiday season,” she tweeted.
#MerryChristmas to all the patients at @Childrenshealth! Thank you to all the nurses, doctors & medical staffers who work around the clock to take care of people this holiday season. pic.twitter.com/XMWILttFua
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) December 14, 2018
Her appearance at the hospital was Christmas themed, but it was also part of a larger initiative: spreading an anti-bullying message to kids.
“Mrs. Trump launched an initiative earlier this year to teach kindness to children, naming it Be Best,” The Associated Press reported. She wrapped that message with a holiday bow by reading a story “about a Christmas ornament named Oliver who is bullied by other ornaments in a family’s collection.”
The author of the children’s book, titled “Oliver the Ornament,” was in attendance as the first lady shared the story with the kids. “It is such an honor and I’m humbled by your kindness,” writer Todd Zimmerman said about Mrs. Trump.
“I also want to thank you for everything you do to promote kindness through your Be Best foundation and all of your daily activities,” Zimmerman added.
“It’s that same type of kindness that we’re trying to promote with ‘Oliver the Ornament’ and it’s that same message that I hope all of you receive this Christmas season and throughout the entire year.”
There was a somber element to the first lady’s visit, as well. The AP reported that Melania Trump spent time touring the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit where she met with several children who are now healthy, but struggled for life after being born several months premature.
“The two boys and one girl, ages 16 months to 6 years old, each weighed about 1 pound at birth,” the AP reported.
Visiting a Washington hospital has become a bit of a tradition for first ladies. According to the Independent Journal Review, Bess Truman began making the rounds to capital-area hospitals for the holidays during the mid-1940s.
Mrs. Trump certainly seems to be relishing the Christmas spirit. A few days ago, she attended the well-known “Toys for Tots” project hosted by the United States Marine Corps Reserve and shared photos of everyone — Marines and children alike — having a great time while doing good for charity.
Earlier in December, she graciously hosted former first lady Laura Bush in a friendly tour of the White House holiday decorations.
“A sweet visit during this somber week. Thanks to Mrs. Trump for inviting our family to the White House to see the Christmas decorations and our old friends, the residence staff,” Mrs. Bush kindly wrote on Instagram.
For all the drama from the Oval Office, it seems Melania Trump is bringing a dash of class and civility to Washington — and that’s something Americans on both sides of the political aisle can applaud.
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