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Melania warns of bleak Christmas unlike Donald Trump's 'back to normal' message, both slammed as 'hypocrites'

The first lady acknowledged the fact that many families will be separated for the holidays during the global health crisis and urged children to check on their neighbors

During a Toys for Tots event with the Marines on Tuesday, December 8, Melania Trump warned of a bleak Christmas season this year and implored for extra kindness, deviating from her husband's message during his Operation Warp Speed Summit on the same day to get the nation "back to normal" amid the raging pandemic. 

The first lady acknowledged the fact that many families will be separated for the holidays during the global health crisis and urged children to check on their neighbors and make holiday cards for those in nursing homes.

"Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many Americans are spending the holidays separated from their loved ones and have to change routines they've had for many years," she said. "Remember that small acts of kindness such as calling your friends and neighbors or making holiday cards for a nearby nursing home can go a long way in spreading cheer and helping those struggling with change," she added. 

However, FLOTUS faced a lot of criticism on social media. "I freaking know Melania Trump is not telling anyone else about doing small acts of kindness tell your husband to do a small act of kindness and RESIGN tomorrow," one of the users wrote while another commented, "This coming from the 'f**k Christmas' lady????..." A third remarked, "Melania, maybe you should start with your husband - anything but kind! How can you ask the American people to do this when your husband is a reckless tyrant! Get real!"

Another tweeted, "'You mean bad-mouthing Christmas decorations isn’t an act of kindness' ~ Melania added." One more quipped, "She's only doing this for show. They're all hypocrites. Melania's just a bit more silent about it. The whole bunch of them are repugnant & callous." Another said, "A small act of kindness from Melania would be to take Donald Trump out of the White House today and both never look back." One more user commented, "Are we to believe Melania married Donnie for his kindness?" A commenter wrote, "I don't hate Melania tbh, but how can you preach kindness and be married to such an a*****e. I mean besides money and a green card."

President Trump declined to offer his advice on what to do for holidays during his summit on December 8. "The CDC puts out their important guidelines. I think that the vaccine was our goal. That was number one," he said.

Melania, meanwhile, joined children in sorting toys, making holiday cards for troops overseas and greeting military families during her visit to the Toys for Tots event. She also wore a midnight blue Ralph Lauren Pea Coat over a cream-colored turtleneck and pants with Manolo Blahnik plaid pumps for the event, which marked the fourth time she's joined the Marines in their charity program.  

She was seen wearing a face mask as she and the children carried toys to boxes marked 'boy' and 'girl' — sorting them up by gender. She also bent to talk to children who wanted to speak to her and posed for pictures with those who asked. She also praised the children who showed off their artwork to her. Melania ended her creative arts time with a squirt of hand sanitizer and helped the kids clean their hands with it. "Stay well and stay safe," she told the children. Some of the children made holiday cards for her for which she thanked them.