First lady appears to condone Trump’s criticism of Thunberg

Melania Trump on Friday appeared to condone her husband’s criticism of 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, saying through a spokeswoman that her 13-year-old son, Barron, is in a different category than teen climate activist “who travels globe giving speeches.”

“He is a 13-year-old who wants and deserves privacy,” spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said in an emailed statement day after President Donald Trump lashed out at Thunberg because Time magazine h named her “Person of Year.”

first ly’s apparent acceptance of her husband’s actions stood in contrast to work she’s doing through her “Be Best” initiative to combat online bullying and teach children to be kind.

president tweeted Thursday that “Greta must work on her Anger Manment problem, n go to a good old fashioned movie with a friend!” He said it was “ridiculous” that Time h chosen her for hor.

Trump mocked teen activist, who has Asperger’s syndrome, a week after first ly tweeted angrily at Stanford law professor Pamela Karlan for mentioning Barron during her testimony as a Democratic witness at a House Judiciary Committee impeachment hearing.

“A mir child deserves privacy and should be kept out of politics. Pamela Karlan, you should be ashamed of your very angry and obviously biased public pandering, and using a child to do it,” Mrs. Trump tweeted.

At one point during her testimony, Karlan said that while Trump can “name his son Barron, he can’t make him a baron.” Karlan was trying to make a point that Trump is a president and t a king. At end of hearing, Karlan apologized for comment.

Grisham said first ly will continue to use “Be Best” to help children.

“It is secret that president and first ly often communicate differently — as most married couples do,” Grisham said.

Former first ly Michelle Obama encourd Thunberg, saying, “don’t let anyone dim your light,”

Mrs. Obama wrote on Twitter from Vietnam, where she was traveling this week. “Like girls I’ve met in Vietnam and all over world, you have so much to offer us all,” she wrote. “Igre doubters and kw that millions of people are cheering you on.”

___

Follow Darlene Superville on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dsupervilleap