Melania Trump is set to receive Palm Beach Atlantic University's (PBAU) Woman of Distinction honor for 2020. The First Lady will be recognized at a luncheon in the Florida institution this February.
A graduate of the university, however, expressed her opposition for the school's choice. In an opinion column in the Palm Beach Post, Kyra Kinnaman said that Melania does not have the kind of distinction deserving of the honor.
Kinnaman cited that the First Lady does publicity stunts that are "disrespectful to the dignity of human persons." She mentioned that the FLOTUS wore a statement shirt with the words "I Don't Really Care, Do U" when she visited an immigration detention center to drum up some news allegedly.
The alumna also said that Melania's Be Best campaign to curb bullying in children was not consistent. If she was staunchly against this, Kinnaman said that the First Lady should have criticized her husband, President Donald Trump, for attacking teen activist Greta Thunberg online.
Kinnaman also pointed out that Melania plagiarized former First Lady Michelle Obama's speech. Melania also hasn't distanced herself from the negative narratives thriving in the White House about racism and the skewed sense of nationalism.
Lastly, Kinnaman surmised that the reason PBAU chose Melania for the Woman of Distinction honor was that she "resides within the qualifying county." The Trumps spend half their time in Palm Beach since the president has property there. According to Time, the Trumps made Palm Beach their primary residence and permanent home in late 2019 instead of Manhattan, New York.
The awards' co-chairwoman Eileen Burns said that they chose Melania as the recipient because she is an "exquisite human being, a magnificent wife and life partner, a superb mother, and an outstanding first lady."
Meanwhile, Melania and the president recently made an appearance together at the College Football Playoffs National Championship. The First Couple led the crowd in the singing of the National Anthem.
Spectators, however, drew their attention to the First Lady's shiny coat. Netizens on Twitter had mixed reactions. While many praised Melania for her style and fashion sense, others criticized Melania's outfit of choice. Some said that she looked like a super villain in her jacket.
The estimated crowd at Monday's sports event was at 75,000. The President and First Lady received loud cheers while they walked the field with the U.S. flag unfurling before them. According to TMZ, the president was given a standing ovation as well.
