Nick Givas, DCNF

The Chicago Tribune published an article Monday accusing Melania Trump of running for cover and acting “like a victim.” Author of the piece, Dahleen Glanton, said it is becoming “difficult” to feel sorry for Melania and pushed her to “step up and start doing her job.” Glanton then attacked the first lady’s sincerity by claiming she never expected her husband to win and was pressured into helping with the campaign.

“Perhaps she didn’t mean any of it,” Glanton writes. “Perhaps she never really wanted to live in the White House. Perhaps she bowed under pressure to join the campaign. Perhaps she never believed her husband could win.”

“It doesn’t matter now. Enough Americans took her at her word and gave her that unpaid, unofficial job she practically begged for,” Glanton added. “It’s too late for her to change her mind and give it back.”

The vitriol continued as Glanton targeted Melania in an effort to discredit her and make her seem like a weakling.

“The first lady would rather we close our eyes and give her a pass. She’d rather we allow her to ‘focus on being a mom,’ stepping out only for special occasions like Easter in a designer outfit to deliver baskets to sick children,” the article reads.

“The American people deserve a first lady who sets an example as a strong woman able to tackle adversity head-on, not one who runs for cover and acts like a victim when the spotlight gets too hot.”

Glanton thinks a real first lady must be “determined” and “focused” on helping the country and claims she has no idea what Melania stands for.

“After more than a year watching her drift near the steps of one of the greatest platforms in the world, we still don’t know exactly what Melania Trump stands for,” Glanton writes. “She has been so preoccupied shielding herself from her husband’s misdeeds that she has been unable to project her own identity.”

“Instead of cowering in shame, she should hold her head up and immerse herself in projects she feels strongly about,” Glanton continued.

She then pivoted to President Donald Trump and thinks Melania has a right to leave him if she wants.

“No one has the right to judge whether she should stay with Donald Trump or leave him,” Glanton writes. “Whether she remains in the White House or goes, it is not her job as first lady to defend her husband’s scandals or try to give the illusion in public that he has her loyalty and support. The ‘stand by your man’ mentality has never worked out well for political wives.”

“Melania Trump doesn’t need our pity. What she needs from us is a loud wake-up call,” Glanton concluded. “She’s been sleeping on the job way too long.”

You can Follow Nick on Twitter and Facebook