Hillary Clinton's campaign announced a plan to combat bullying in schools after the called Donald Trump a bully. | AP Photo After calling Trump a bully, Clinton campaign announces anti-bullying plan

Hillary Clinton is expected to outline a proposal Thursday that’s aimed at combating bullying in schools — just as her campaign releases a new ad calling Donald Trump a bully.

The new policy proposal, according to a source consulted on the plans, is dubbed “Better Than Bullying” and calls for at least $500 million in new federal funding that would go to states that agree to develop anti-bullying plans.


States could use the money to hire more school guidance counselors and social workers, as well as expand suicide prevention and mental health programs in high schools. They could also use the funding to boost social and emotional learning programs, improve teacher training and help schools address cyberbullying.

A spokesman for the campaign declined to comment Wednesday evening.

The anti-bullying proposal comes as Clinton has sought to tie Trump’s rhetoric to increased bullying in the nation’s schools.

The campaign is releasing a new television ad that hits Trump for mocking a disabled reporter. The ad features a student named Bryce, who has muscular dystrophy and says he’s faced bullying at his school.

“I don’t want bullies in my life, and I especially don’t one in the White House,” he says in the video.

As she appeals to college-educated women, Clinton and her allies have ratcheted up the argument in recent weeks that Trump’s harsh words are having a negative effect on children.

“Teachers and parents call it the ‘Trump effect,’” Clinton said during the second presidential debate. “Bullying is up. A lot of people are feeling uneasy, a lot of kids are expressing their concerns.”

The National Education Association, the nation’s largest teachers union, has made a similar argument about Trump’s rhetoric. The union is spending at least six figures each on both digital ads and direct mail that link Trump to school bullying.

