First Lady of the United States Melania Trump traveled to Africa this fall — for some reason. It’s her first solo trip overseas since assuming her present position. While in Egypt this weekend — literally standing in the shadow of the infamous Sphinx statue — she took questions from some of the reporters who were along for the ride, which journalist Jennifer Jacobs noted was a “rarity.”
Her husband’s incessant and incendiary tweeting was among the topics discussed. Although she’s often out of the public spotlight, it’s come up in the public conversation surrounding her before, since it contrasts strikingly with the “Be Best” anti-bullying campaign she’s unveiled.
Speaking to reporters overseas this weekend, she commented:
‘I don’t always agree with what he tweets, and I tell him that. I give him my honest opinion and honest advice. Sometimes he listens, sometimes he doesn’t — it’s very important for me that I express what I think.’
She added a prompted joke that “yes,” she sometimes tells him to put his phone down.
Wow, Melania — thank you for your service. (Sarcasm) She’s hardly the only Trump family member to come across publicly as waging some kind of feeble, drummed up attempt to redirect Donald’s literally destructive impulses.
Ivanka Trump holds an official advisory position in the Trump administration, but she’s hardly made a mark. She’s reported to have pushed for her father to have remained committed to standards for development to combat climate change, but nothing ever came of that. President Trump moved to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate accord, a landmark agreement signed by nearly every country around the globe at the time.
Melania, meanwhile, shared other aspects of her reasoning with reporters while standing around in Egypt. She expressed support for credibly accused sexual predator turned U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, who will be officially confirmed by the U.S. Senate Saturday afternoon. His future in the federal judiciary had been in question as Democrats waged a campaign to find the full truth about his background, first brought to light in part through the revelations of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. Republicans mostly blocked those efforts.
Of Kavanaugh, Melania said:
‘I think he’s qualified for the Supreme Court. I’m glad that Dr. Ford was heard. I’m glad that Judge Kavanaugh was heard and that the FBI investigation was done. It’s completed.’
Ironically, it’s hardly her husband alone among prominent Republicans who have acted in stark contrast to the anti-bullying message Melania has put forward. The debacle surrounding Judge Kavanaugh makes that clear.
For instance, appearing on Fox News hours after hearing from Ford and Kavanaugh at a lengthy, widely watched U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, South Carolina Republican and Judiciary Committee member Lindsey Graham asserted that Ford has a “problem” — whatever that’s supposed to mean. Concurrently, he asserted — rather loudly, in fact — that Kavanaugh had been put through “hell.”
For all his ranting, it was unsure whether or not Kavanaugh’s nomination would advance until Maine Republican Susan Collins announced her support. With perceived swing votes Arizona Republican Jeff Flake and West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin on his side as well, that put the judge over the top.
Featured Image via YouTube screenshot
