Melania Trump visits school in anti-bullying campaign

'It is our responsibility to take the lead in teaching children the values of empathy and communication'

First lady Melania Trump addressed the UN about bullying in September (AP)

Melania Trump paid a surprise visit to a school in Michigan as part of a nationwide anti-bullying campaign in the US.

The First Lady visited students at the Orchard Lake Middle School in Detroit on Monday as part of National Bullying Prevention Month, a topic she has spoken out about on several occasions.

As well as speaking to pupils at the school, she joined students in the cafeteria in an effort to raise awareness of the “No One Eats Alone” concept, which seeks to address social isolation among children.

“As part of my ongoing commitment to the overall well-being of children, I am looking forward to today’s visit,” Ms Trump said in a statement ahead of the trip.

“By our own example, we must teach children to be good stewards of the world they will inherit.

“We need to remember that they are always watching and listening. It is our responsibility to take the lead in teaching children the values of empathy and communication that are at the core of kindness, mindfulness, integrity, and leadership.”

Secretary of education Betsy DeVos also joined Ms Trump at the school.

In a speech to the United Nations last month, the First Lady condemned bullying and said she was committed to fighting it.

She urged world leaders to be more “accountable” for the development of children and said they should be taught “kindness” and “integrity” by example, addressing the international body in New York.

“We must turn our focus right now to the message and content children are exposed to on a daily basis through social media - the bullying, the experience online and in person,” she said.

Many were quick to point out her words were contradicted by her husband Donald Trump’s prolific use of social media to criticise his opponents.

The US President has used Twitter to levy insults at a number of people, from “crooked” Hillary Clinton to Fox News journalist Megyn Kelly, who cited Mr Trump as a reason for leaving her job at the network after 12 years.