It's been nearly a month since the deadly mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. After Melania Trump met with a pro-gun survivor from the school, she tweeted about her experience.
Heartened to see children affected by tragedy using their voices to try and create change. Wonderful to meet and speak with Stoneman Douglas High School student @KyleKashuv today at the @WhiteHouse. His message of unity inspires us all! #MSDStrong pic.twitter.com/N5ZqdGruwT
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) March 8, 2018
Melania on Parkland
It was on Valentine's Day last month when 19-year-old Nikolas Jacob Cruz walked into his old school of Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida and opened fire.
By the time the shooter was taken into custody, 17 innocent people had been killed, with many others left injured. In the weeks that have followed, the debate over gun control has become a headline story, resulting in student activists clashing with representatives from the NRA.
Parkland survivor @KyleKashuv: "I'm a strong Second Amendment supporter." pic.twitter.com/EbpF2rEvSf
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 9, 2018
Donald Trump's reaction has been politically calculating, making sure to pander and cater to his right-wing base, while doing his best to give enough in the hope that he comes across as sympathetic. On Thursday, First Lady Melania Trump, along with Donald Trump, met with Kyle Kashuv, a pro-gun survivor from Stoneman Douglas High School.
Melania tweeted out about her time with Kashuv, writing, "Heartened to see children affected by tragedy using their voices to try and create change." "Wonderful to meet and speak with Stoneman Douglas High School student Kyle Kashuv today at the White House. His message of unity inspires us all!" she added.
Melania backlash
Following her tweet about meeting Kyle Kashuv, critics of the administration took time to sound off, with many putting focus on the student's conservative political views.
"Ahhh, I see that the conservative student from Douglas gets to meet with you guys, but not so much any of the other students who are actually asking for change to our gun laws. Why am I not surprised?" one tweet read.
Ahhh, I see that the conservative student from Douglas gets to meet with you guys, but not so much any of the other students who are actually asking for change to our gun laws. Why am I not surprised? #NRABloodMoney #NeverAgain
— La Résistance (@LeoLawGirl) March 9, 2018
Just another photo op with this despicable administration. "His message of unity inspires us all!" Really, then DO SOMETHING POSITIVE!
— Steve Segadelli (@CoachSeg) March 9, 2018
Sweetie, you need to understand. Your husband is doing nothing about the issue.
— C and J LOL Factory (@CnJLOLFactory) March 8, 2018
"Sweetie, you need to understand.
Your husband is doing nothing about the issue," a Twitter user wrote. "Shame on you Melania for worrying more about other Children and not protecting your own beautiful child from the Brutal father he has. This is YOUR duty as a Mother!" a follow-up tweet added.
Why can we not hear what is being said? Is this a photo op and PR for the Trumpsies again.? I disrespect the use of a tragedy to be all about the Trumps.
— dyrne (@debbyrne52) March 9, 2018
Where are the rest of the kids? Nice selection process. Propaganda much?
— Paulette Feeney (@PauletteParis1) March 9, 2018
Shame on you Melania for worrying more about other Children and not protecting your own beautiful child from the Brutal father he has. This is YOUR duty as a Mother!
— StevOhB (@StevohBee) March 9, 2018
"Where are the rest of the kids?
Nice selection process. Propaganda much?" a social media user wondered. "Just another photo op with this despicable administration. 'His message of unity inspires us all!' Really, then DO SOMETHING POSITIVE!" yet another tweet read. "Why can we not hear what is being said? Is this a photo op and PR for the Trumpsies again.? I disrespect the use of a tragedy to be all about the Trumps," an additional tweet stated.
