First Lady Melania Trump often updates the FLOTUS social media accounts with important events as well as achievements. However, she recently came under fire for an inaccurate Twitter update.
The First Lady took to Twitter to update her followers on the status of drug overdose deaths and life expectancy among Americans. She tweeted, “For the first time in 29 years, drug overdose deaths have dropped by 4.1% and life expectancy has increased by 4 years! Proud of this administration for ensuring a safer and healthier future for our nation’s children.” However, it was later on revealed that only half of Melania’s tweet was accurate. While drug overdose deaths have gone down by 4.1 percent according to the Centers for Disease Control, the center’s National Center for Health Statistics revealed that life expectancy did increase, but by one month in 2018.
Melania’s Twitter update also had a link to the White House official website, with statements from Jim Carroll of the Office of the National Drug Control Policy as well as Senior Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway. The page did not make any mention of life expectancy.
Users on social media were confused by the misleading information and criticized the First Lady for failing to be accurate. A few users have corrected her information with the one month increase and not four years. Others have either mocked her or defended her for her work under the administration.
This Twitter mishap comes a week after the tragic death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who was killed in a helicopter crash in California along with his daughter Gianna and seven other people who were with them. Express reports that Melania joined in the public figures who came to express their condolences, saying that she is sending “thoughts and prayers” to the people in the area. Users did not take this condolence message well and even accused the First Lady of being cold-hearted or uncaring in her posts.
Some commenters also accused Melania of not writing a statement herself, as well as that she “Does not care about anyone or anything except her wallet.”