First lady Melania Trump released a farewell message Monday, reflecting on her four “unforgettable” years in the White House.
The nearly seven-minute message, which came two days before the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, began with the first lady expressing her gratitude for military service members, law enforcement and caregivers — all of whom have inspired her since she entered the White House in 2017.
“The past four years have been unforgettable. As Donald and I conclude our time in the White House, I think of all the people I have taken home in my heart and their incredible stories of love, patriotism and determination,” she said in the video message.
The first lady then transitioned to talk at large about the pandemic and its impact on the nation, thanking essential workers such as health care professionals and truck drivers for their roles in saving lives. She briefly called on Americans to practice “caution and common sense” to protect high risk, vulnerable individuals as COVID-19 vaccines continue to be distributed.
She also seemed to refer to the violence that ensued on Jan. 6 in Washington, where pro-Trump rioters stormed into the U.S. Capitol building in protest of Biden’s victory in the presidential election. Although she didn’t explicitly mention the riot, she asked Americans to “remember that violence is never the answer and will never be justified.”
Trump ended her message by reflecting on her work with the “Be Best” campaign, which focused on tackling issues facing children, including well-being, online safety and the opioid abuse. She briefly spoke of the campaign’s accomplishments domestically and internationally before calling on Americans to find unity in division.
“I ask every American to be an ambassador of Be Best. To focus on what unites us. To rise above what divides us. To always choose love over hatred, peace over violence, and others before yourself,” she said.
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