First Lady Melania Trump fired back at critics Saturday, suggesting that their time would be better spent doing “good and productive” things in their own communities.
“I encourage everyone who chooses to be negative & question my work at the @WhiteHouse to take time and contribute something good & productive in their own communities. #BeBest,” she tweeted. (RELATED: Melania Stuns In Hard Hat)
I encourage everyone who chooses to be negative & question my work at the @WhiteHouse to take time and contribute something good & productive in their own communities. #BeBest https://t.co/03sx0rq2Nx
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) March 7, 2020
Trump was responding to criticism over a recent tweet showing the progress on tennis courts at the White House.
“I am excited to share the progress of the Tennis Pavillion at @WhiteHouse. Thank you to the talented team for their hard work and dedication,” Trump tweeted Thursday.
I am excited to share the progress of the Tennis Pavillion at @WhiteHouse. Thank you to the talented team for their hard work and dedication. pic.twitter.com/Wzown2ho26
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) March 5, 2020
Critics immediately attacked her for appearing to prioritize White House vanity projects over major national issues.
You are one vapid, tone deaf disaster.
— John Pavlovitz (@johnpavlovitz) March 7, 2020
This is the most extraordinary thing to tweet in the midst of an epidemic. You really are amazingly out of touch with real live people.
— Victoria Brownworth (@VABVOX) March 6, 2020
Will the tennis court also have coronavirus test kits or will it serve (heh) as an extra holding cell for the caged children when things get too crowded in the concentration camps? #BeBest
— Lesley Abravanel???? (@lesleyabravanel) March 6, 2020
29 people were killed by a tornado in Tennessee, the world is shuddering as a pandemic expands and what is a tennis pavilion?
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) March 5, 2020
It is not the fact that tennis courts are being built at WH that is at issue (by all means, build them), it is the ignorance surrounding the optics of voluntarily promoting these private benefits during the ongoing public health & financial crisis.
Seriously, what don’t you get? https://t.co/DVvVAU3pZA
— Mark S. Zaid (@MarkSZaidEsq) March 5, 2020
Optics aside, the role of the first lady has traditionally been to oversee some of the social aspects of the president’s schedule and — since the tenure of Jackie Kennedy Onassis — to preserve the integrity and historical significance of the White House itself. While she can speak out on political issues, and many first ladies have, her day-to-day responsibilities are far removed from the issues her critics were suggesting she address.