• by Erik Sass , Staff Writer @eriksass1, October 18, 2016

If Donald Trump is elected president, his wife Melania would focus on combating “social media negativity” as First Lady, she revealed in an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Monday.

Alluding to the rise of online bullying and other forms of abuse targeting young people, Mrs. Trump told Anderson Cooper: “I see now in 21st century, the social media, it's very damaging for the children. We need to guide them and teach them about social media because I see a lot of negativity on it and we need to help them.”

In the same interview, Melania Trump vigorously defended her husband against recent accusations about his lewd comments and allegations that he groped and kissed women against their will, echoing his own vehement denials that these incidents ever occurred. She also reiterated his claims that the accusations are fabrications by a corrupt, biased media in league with the Clinton campaign.

Cooper also asked Mrs. Trump whether she ever tried to rein in her husband’s prolific posting to social media, which has often included withering personal attacks on his political opponents. She said she has spoken to him about it, but that ultimately he makes his own decisions on these matters: “He's an adult. He knows the consequences. I give him many advices, but, you know, sometimes he listens, sometimes he doesn't. And he will do what he wants to do in the end, as I will do what I want to do.”

Leveraging their prestige and political connections, First Ladies have traditionally adopted signature causes to pursue while their husbands are in office, usually focusing on broad nonpartisan issues. From “Lady Bird” Johnson, dedicated to beautifying the nation’s public spaces, to Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” campaign against illegal drugs, and Michelle Obama, who has focused on combating childhood obesity, these efforts tend to be as much symbolic as concrete, but noteworthy nevertheless for raising awareness of complex social problems.