Melania Trump said she was “heartened to see children affected by tragedy using their voices to try and create change” after meeting with a student survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. The first lady welcomed Parkland, Fla., student Kyle Kashuv to the White House on March 8.

Heartened to see children affected by tragedy using their voices to try and create change. Wonderful to meet and speak with Stoneman Douglas High School student @KyleKashuv today at the @WhiteHouse. His message of unity inspires us all! #MSDStrong pic.twitter.com/N5ZqdGruwT — Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) March 8, 2018





Trump praised Kashuv, who briefly met President Trump as well, for his “message of unity.” The teen is co-creator of an app called ReachOut, which aims to help troubled students get support.

Wonderful to meet @KyleKashuv today. His message of unity is one we should all share. Thank you for visiting us at the @WhiteHouse & hope you enjoyed your surprise meeting with @potus! Wishing you much success w @TheReachOutApp. pic.twitter.com/K4aGydo1uX — Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) March 8, 2018





Kashuv also met with politicians including House Speaker Paul Ryan and Sen. Charles Schumer during his visit to Washington, D.C. He later tweeted that the Trumps were “true patriots.”

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But the meeting wasn’t without its criticism, or controversy. Some conservatives pitted Kushov, who has identified himself as a Second Amendment supporter seeking a moderate, bipartisan solution, against his liberal classmates — specifically David Hogg, who revealed that he hung up on the White House when they invited him to join a gun control talk with President Trump.

Others said Kashuv was only chosen for his conservative views, and argued that the White House isn’t doing enough to make gun control a reality.

Ahhh, I see that the conservative student from Douglas gets to meet with you guys, but not so much any of the other students who are actually asking for change to our gun laws. Why am I not surprised? #NRABloodMoney #NeverAgain — La Résistance (@LeoLawGirl) March 9, 2018





Dear @FLOTUS, Thank you for meeting with @KyleKashuv. Now get your husband to ban all weapons of war, including the AR-15! Also, there must be limitations on magazines and stricter, heavily enforced comprehensive background checks with a waiting period. We are counting on you! — Kevin Putz (@kevputz) March 9, 2018





I agree. Now use your platform and influence to HELP him. — Rebekah Sanderlin (@rsanderlin) March 8, 2018





Sweetie, you need to understand. Your husband is doing nothing about the issue. — C and J LOL Factory (@CnJLOLFactory) March 8, 2018





How about convincing potus that now that his listening session is over his action session needs to begin. #whosafraidofthenra — Jan McNair (@jan_mcnair) March 8, 2018





Why don't you use your platform to advocate for the assault weapons ban? Most important thing you could do. — V (@Beachnut10) March 9, 2018





Kashuv himself responded to some of the controversy, denying claims that the White House was using him to push an anti-gun control narrative. The teen tweeted that he requested the meeting with the Trumps. He also defended the first lady, calling criticism of her “immoral.”

Will, that isn't what happened at all. I REQUESTED the meeting with @POTUS @realDonaldTrump. I ASKED WH to post. They didn't want to use me to push any narrative. In fact, they let me do it at my own pace. FLOTUS was such a genuine person. I really hope she becomes my mentor. https://t.co/FkDMu554w7 — Kyle Kashuv (@KyleKashuv) March 9, 2018





Insulting @FLOTUS because you dislike her husband is immoral and an insult to what Mrs. Trump is doing with me. She is a Saint who 100% cares about this country and every American individually. If you knock her you're now attacking me. — Kyle Kashuv (@KyleKashuv) March 9, 2018





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