Trump acknowledges Melania for first time ever during State of the Union for Be Best campaign

First Lady also given the task of presenting Rush Limbaugh with Medal of Freedom

Donald Trump has hailed his wife’s Be Best campaign in a major speech for the first time – but notably neglected to mention the anti-online-bullying aspect of her project.

There had been speculation that the president would overlook Melania Trump‘s campaign as he has done in previous speeches.

But in his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress, he said: “Every young person should have a safe and secure environment in which to learn and grow. For this reason, our magnificent First Lady has launched the ‘Be Best’ initiative – to advance a safe, healthy, supportive, and drug-free life for the next generation, online, in school, and in our communities.

“Thank you, Melania, for your extraordinary love and profound care for America’s children.”

However, one of the three pillars of the Be Best initiative is online safety and efforts to prevent cyberbullying – something her husband has been repeatedly accused of as he targets his enemies in Twitter tirades.

Ms Trump launched the initiative in 2018, 16 months into her husband's presidency.

‘Be Best’ started trending on Twitter in December after Mr Trump attacked environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg, who was then 16.

After she was named Time magazine’s person of the year, he tweeted: “So ridiculous. Greta must work on her Anger Management problem, then go to a good old fashioned movie with a friend! Chill Greta, Chill!”

Ms Thunberg, now 17, quickly turned the tables on the US president, changing her Twitter bio to describe herself as “a teenager working on her anger management problem. Currently chilling and watching a good old fashioned movie with a friend”.

During the State of the Union address, after being acknowledged by the president, Ms Trump was given the task of presenting the Medal of Freedom to conservative radio show host Rush Limbaugh.