Donald Trump has hailed his wife’s Be Best campaign in a major speech for the first time – but notably neglected to mention the anti-online-bullying aspect of her project.

There had been speculation that the president would overlook Melania Trump‘s campaign as he has done in previous speeches.

But in his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress, he said: “Every young person should have a safe and secure environment in which to learn and grow. For this reason, our magnificent First Lady has launched the ‘Be Best’ initiative – to advance a safe, healthy, supportive, and drug-free life for the next generation, online, in school, and in our communities.

“Thank you, Melania, for your extraordinary love and profound care for America’s children.”

However, one of the three pillars of the Be Best initiative is online safety and efforts to prevent cyberbullying – something her husband has been repeatedly accused of as he targets his enemies in Twitter tirades.

Ms Trump launched the initiative in 2018, 16 months into her husband's presidency.

‘Be Best’ started trending on Twitter in December after Mr Trump attacked environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg, who was then 16.

Melania Trump wooden statue prompts complaints in Slovenia Show all 5 1 /5 Melania Trump wooden statue prompts complaints in Slovenia Melania Trump wooden statue prompts complaints in Slovenia A wooden statue of Melania Trump has been erected in the first lady’s home country of Slovenia REUTERS Melania Trump wooden statue prompts complaints in Slovenia The conceptual statue depicts Ms Trump standing in the blue outfit she wore to her husband’s inauguration REUTERS Melania Trump wooden statue prompts complaints in Slovenia The monument is set in the fields near the town of Sevnica REUTERS Melania Trump wooden statue prompts complaints in Slovenia Locals have complained that the wooden sculpture does not look like Ms Trump at all AFP/Getty Images Melania Trump wooden statue prompts complaints in Slovenia The statue was commissioned by US artist Brade Downey and created by artist Ales Zupevc AFP/Getty Images

After she was named Time magazine’s person of the year, he tweeted: “So ridiculous. Greta must work on her Anger Management problem, then go to a good old fashioned movie with a friend! Chill Greta, Chill!”

Ms Thunberg, now 17, quickly turned the tables on the US president, changing her Twitter bio to describe herself as “a teenager working on her anger management problem. Currently chilling and watching a good old fashioned movie with a friend”.