The ‘difficult job’ of hugging people of African descent cannot be more worthy of scrutiny. Let us not be buried in the discussion about First Lady/“First World” travel problems, protocol, and her seeming need to have a photo-op getaway. Thinking a bit deeply, we might also surmise that the trip is not only at the expense of US taxpayers (like so much else in the world of Trump and his Republican enablers) - as some have mentioned - but at the expense of
every individual on the massive and diverse African continent that gets ensnared by her tepid, banal, and ineffective raison d’etre. Yes, it is difficult for a white supremacist like Trump to conceive of humanely hugging black children. But, of even more concern is that we should have no doubt that DJT, in his role as “the white nationalist in chief,” is sending yet another message to his base: Don’t let the Melania trip upset you, we’re still on track.
7
“You think that’s an easy job,” the president told his supporters, “That’s not an easy job. That’s a tough job. She is fantastic.”
Has everyone confirmed that the president understands the nature of Melania's humanitarian mission on the African continent? I only ask because the last time Trump expressed concern for anyone in Africa, he was repeating misinformation about a "white genocide." He could very well be under the impression that Melania is there as some kind of negotiator. Or perhaps he has mistaken the First Lady's seemingly benign interactions with children as phase 1 of a child separation plan to "deter" any uppity "natives."
14
Though I don't care for her - she's a birther and actively supports her ridic husband - I feel sorry for her all the same.
2
It's nice to see Melania Trump looking relaxed and happy, but still she stays with a brutal man and I cannot forget that. Her "Be Best" theme will come to naught as long as she is by his side. Everyone sees the contrast between words and deeds.
8
incredible, people feel compelled to spew hatred even at this article. It seems that an ever expanding core group of us have to express bitterness at every conceivable opportunity. what a sad, tragic society we have become when we are unable to restrain ourselves from spouting venom at even the slightest perceived provocation.
We can't let anything - anything-go. Those who have been in relationships where one or both parties refused to let something go know how destructive that can be to a relationship. Those who tenaciously cling to resentment push us further and further apart from one another.
2
Is the implication that she is happy because she's not in DC, because she's away from Trump, or because she's traveling? The title is an assumption that cannot be substantiated. Is the NYTimes now the equivalent of the Esquire or will some level headed reporting return that is not purely based on the current resistance movement?
1
She is a wonderful ambassador at large for our country. Her gracious looks and speech might undo some of the damage done.
Such a lovely, gracious woman. Never an angry face, just serene. Best First Lady in years
3
I would bet (and I'm not a person who normally bets anything) that she signed a pre-nup agreement that included a non-disclosure agreement. I bet legally she can't say anything against Trump and hence her silence. I don't believe she has any sway over what he says, thinks or does any way. Unfortunately. So she made her bed by marrying him and she is tainted by her proximity and silence.
What exact message are they trying to convey anyhow? Trying to send a message that "Look, we are nice people, see we can kiss and hug brown people" all the while the administration cuts foreign aid and diplomacy. What ever.
14
"Mrs. Trump has offered simple acts of grace..." A+
"Mrs. Trump generally avoids journalists..." A++++
1
She is far away from a hostile and negative press.
3
Somehow I have a sneaking suspicion that it isn’t her distance from Washington that’s making her happy but rather her distance from Trump. I get it, I’d feel the same way. But what good will it do anyone else and at what expense?
3
I find it difficult to see her tour as a collection of "simple acts of grace" when at home she wore a jacket proclaiming "I really don't care" on her way to visit brown immigrant kids, and has completely failed to follow up in any way on the appalling conditions in which more and more immigrant children are being kept, separated from their parents, driven to trying to run away or commit suicide.
It seems "Be Best" applies everywhere but in her own house.
12
I don't doubt she is happy; she is out of Washington.
9
Don't really see what this trip, at taxpayer expense does. Perhaps it would have held more water if she took her son along so he could see a world different than the bubble he lives in. As to Melania, I don't see where she is anything like Diana or Michelle Obama who both had world views, an understanding of their governments, and could act as unofficial Ambassadors for their countries.
And not to harp on it, but again: taxpayer expense. I am eating peanut butter sandwiches for my one meal a day three times week in order to pay those taxes, and there are a lot of taxpayers a whole lot worse off than I am. Why can't the taxes be used for education, healthcare, infrastructure, climate change research and programs, etc? (we could also save a lot of $$$ if Donny boy wouldn't play so much golf).
I know, don't attack Melania. She can't help who she is married to (or could she?). But I really don't see her as representative of our country.
21
Melania's husband should have accompanied her to the Cape Coast Castle.
3
The juxtaposition of the title Melania visits a slave camp and the outrageous smile on her face is... well.. I'm done.
7
Melania, get a new outfit. Go into your own adopted country and help the children here. help the immigrant children languishing in detention centers. Help the college students drowning in debt Take on the public school systems and tell Mrs. DeVos to take a hike.
20
Quite ironic that a woman in a cage of her own making is visiting a slave fort.
15
Melania was a "birther" advocate along with Trump. Republicans will take away your Health Care; Take away your Medicare; Take away Social Security if they win mid terms. Republicans will kick your granny out of the nursing home; she will have to live in your basement. Ray Sipe
25
I don't care, U?
24
The new shortest book.......notable sayings of Melania Trump
10
What an unnecessary and condescending comment. Are you always this dismissive of women or is this, as I suspect, more a reflection of your politics? The left's support of and respect for women appears to be limited to liberal women. Just ask Juanita Broaddrick, Paula Jones, et al.
3
She appears to be doing something decent and even having a good time. She certainly married for riches and status which hardly makes her unique. There is no question that she did not sign on for the present circus and even begged her toad not to run for President. And there is strong evidence that she dislikes him as much as many of the rest of us do, and for very good reasons. I will not condemn her for associations. That is the way the other side rolls.
18
@Chuck Burton
She defended Trump"s lies about President Obama's place of birth.
She defended him about his"locker room talk."
Se lied about her education.
30
I will believe the statements that she dislikes him only when she files for divorce and takes Barron with her. Until then it’s all PR spin.
3
@Chuck Burton Trump had aired presidential ambitions as early as 1986, and periodically after that. It's not like this was a complete surprise.
And she is not just "associated" with him. She went on national television to spread the birtherism lie. She justified and excused his comments about grabbing women without their consent as "just boy talk." She selected the ambassador to Slovenia. She is fully complicit.
4
If she really cares about all children, regardless of their skin color or backgrounds, she should express her antipathy to the cruel and inhumane treatment of many children by her husband’s administration, by divorcing him and stating the reason. As long as she stands by him, I consider her actions hollow.
34
I wish Mrs. Trump would stop using the "Be Best" concept, especially since it was something created by Mrs. Obama's staff (another steal?) Like the rest of the Trump clan can't she come up with an original idea?
Only her husband would consider hugging babies a tough job.
26
Very sweet and thanks for the accurate ADA-compliant captioning, a gift to disability communities
7
A rich white woman whose other half is a wealthy white male... what a novel idea sending her to Africa.
How many African paychecks does it take to buy the outfits she brought with her?
43
@wihiker are you proud of these needlessly nasty comment. Would you prefer she ignore them?
7
@No Seriously, what's she really doing for Ghanians? True, at least she's not wearing a coat with the message "I don't care, do you?"
A modicum of sense this time around, at least....
@No its a photo op. Nothing more. And a chance to get away from her tool of a husband. And more people agree with the point about the clothes (a valid point) , than yours. Myself included.
1
The one thing that I always notice about Melania is that she has a beautiful smile on her face when she is around children. I only wish that she would use whatever influence she has on her husband to help the children in America who desperately need help, starting with the immigrants. Somehow, I seriously doubt she has any influence on that male (“man” just doesn’t seem like the right term).
34
I heard on the radio that no one there is interested. Unlike the crowds that greeted Hillary Clinton, no one is lining the streets to see Melania.
17
@Miriam Warner
Who was it that said:
"Believe have of what you see and none of what you hear?"
Just remember that she promolgated the birth theory . That's all you need to know about any shred of decency she might have.
42
Too bad she doesn't seem to care about the tent city kids any longer.
34
@alayton which implies she once did?
2
I. Don't. Care.
(No offense, Katie Rogers.)
This woman is complicit by association with everything her horrible, inhumane and ignorant husband does. I don't care how cynical it sounds -- I'll be happy if the whole cabal of them, right down to the grandchildren, beat it back to their penthouses and disappear from the political scene forever. There is nothing that will ever reconcile me to the looting, damage and destruction the whole lot of them are doing. She's not innocent.
"Kissing babies in Africa." Spare me. White Savior Barbie is more like it.
52
wow. all I can say is wow. here she is trying to do something positive and with some grace, and all you can do is heap trash on her.
you should take a good look in the mirror because your hate runneth over.
15
@bored critic I can't deny it: I hate what's happening to our country. I hate the environmental degradation that this administration is perpetrating. It will *kill* people. I hate the attempted dismantling of the health care progress that we've tried to make. That too will kill people. I hate the tax plan that they passed. Poverty kills people. I believe that this administration is killing our people.
I don't hate Melania. I think she's bland and insipid and her choices in life render her generally predictable and uninteresting. Her predictability includes her support of her husband and his policies -- although there have been some cracks in that façade -- but only enough to get the media all a-twitter. Inactivity in her case equates to complicity: she has more real power than she's ever had in her life, and what is she doing with it? If kissing a few baby cheeks and doing some photos ops sells a few newspapers, props up the Ghanian economy for a minute, and gives some people stories to tell... okay... I guess?
The real picture is far greater, more complex, and more important than this PR campaign on the tax payer's dime.
29
@bored critic Melania Trump supported and publicly advocated her husband's birther theory. That is bold-face racism and a display of the hatred harbored by white, elite conservatives towards Obama and other accomplished minorities. If Melania would publicly apologize for her past public comments supporting the birtherism conspiracy theory and publicly condemn her husband's reckless racist comments -- people might be less critical of her. But she has not done that. She is responsible for her own actions.
5
Melania, with her frivolous and lavish lifestyle is a constant reminder of the America's economic inequality. Instead of standing up to the ugly face of corruption and deceit that has taken over our country, Melania travels thousands of miles to bury her head in a diplomatic humanitarian show of nonsense in Africa.
35
No good deed goes unpunished, at least by the nyt and its readers. So tired of mean-spirited attacks and the constant search to put everything in the worst possible light. It seems the anti-Trumper motto is ‘Be Worst’ and See evil everywhere no matter what. This is a diseased outlook. Humans are flawed, yes, but few are committed to evil and depravity 100% 24/7. Nevertheless, readers with jaundiced views see evil all around them—Hitlers, nazis, kkk, etc proliferating everywhere. Sad. Maybe evil is in the eye of the beholder? Why don’t we put aside these jaundiced views and try and come together to solve our problems in a spirit of good will?
9
@aldebaran
Great!! Let's start by replacing the current ugly, diseased, criminal administration with honest people who develop and promote real policies that will improve the lives of Americans and others around the world. Who do not tweet ugly, nasty, demeaning grade school taunts at anyone who disagrees with them. The tone is set at the top.
22
This trump empty vessel traipsing through Africa is a deplorable waste of time and money!
41
@John Townsend A “tour” to Africa that includes only four out of the 52 countries is a token trip for photo ops. Period. Melania is like a dog trained to do tricks for her lout of a husband. If I had the chance, I’d tell her to get off her duff and do something in OUR country other than a PR trip to our southern border where children are severely suffering every minute of every day. Where’s the empathy she professes to have? I’m not convinced she has a drop of it.
4
Trump's stupid boasting about even about this negates any good feeling about it that if might otherwise have. If he could just shut up for a moment and let his wife shine a bit on her own.
17
The Melania is a clueless trump tool. She has no morality, insight, genuine concern for others. Please do not ask her for compassion or genuine help. She's a trophy wife, a trophy self dealing joke. Does she really speak five languages, sure, and she knows not to ever expose them to scrutiny. Can you Please do some due diligence on this hollow tool. I would appreciate some insight.
13
You mistake Melania for a genuine person,. Get a clue.
4
@DS
Is that what she's doing--'shinning'?
1
Nothing more than the time weary, hackneyed "good cop-bad cop" routine, on the taxpayers' dime. "Be Best" and instead hug a depressed Salvadorian kid housed in one of your husbands's isolated border internment camps, Melania. Bet that you'll never get there though. Staged, curated tourism in Africa is so much more fun!
52
Oh please! The only time we see Melania, for the most part, is pictures of her parading on foreign soil or here when foreign diplomats are present.
Do something, here, Melania, for immigrant kids here that your husband ordered to live in cages without their parents, and having no idea where their parents are.
Shame, shame on Melania.
75
Amazing that the President who has something to say about everything on the campaign trail has not spoken about the importance of the First Lady's trip.
8
@mnc IMO there isn't any importance associated with Melanie's trip, just the usual self-serving trumpeting.
5
I think it's great that the First Lady is happy. But for me, I have the same disparaging feelings that many commenters have already pointed out. Good intentions, Melania, but the theme is making America great again.
12
In many ways, I feel sorry for Ms. Trump. Yes, she cut a devil's bargin in marrying the president, though I've wondered thus how bedazzled she might have when he put a full court press on him. Still, she's a big girl and made the choice.
Still, the opening image with a true smile reveals that behind the "Stepford Wife," is a real person who might even be a nice person. Given that Trump ignores anything but himself, I doubt he knew much about what she would do other than that she would be gone. I wonder how much she and her people claimed one while secretly planning another.
I'm not a consumer of those breathtaking stories about the star's supposed travail, but the dramatist in me would love to watch a divorce. Not going to happen, but as a story/fantasy. Interesting.
15
I an so glad to see a side of Melanie that Americans have never seen. Thank you Melanie and please continue to show us the humane and caring woman that you can be. Please continue to show us this side referencing the children in our refugee camps who desperately need help. And even more importantly ,there are so many American children that could use a spokesperson, a First Lady, to give voice to the reality of of so many American children who do not have enough food, decent housing and the opportunity to experience a good education system.
30
She’s trying to do something good in the ongoing circus she lives in. I just hope she’s doing this to help our brothers and sisters in Africa and not some other agenda. But at least she’s bringing attention to these countries. Sorry to sound cynical, but who doesn’t have a touch of cynisim in the era of the Trump presidency!
22
So nice that Mrs. Trump enjoys a luxurious all expenses paid vacation to Africa. Not so nice that we tax payers are footing the bill.
Her trip is a meaningless gesture which describes this woman as well.
50
Just another convenient grift for the trump inc.
1
@Chris
Let's be fair. Every trip every First Lady takes is all expenses paid footed by the US taxpayers. There are a gazillion things to be enraged at the Trumps about but that isn't one of them.
2
@Chris At least she didn't take her family with her like other First Ladies have done on our dime.
1
I don't think people should scorn her trip. Giving her the benefit of the doubt, it could do good if she learns more about these countries and perhaps convinces the president to change his tone. Soft diplomacy is important, and has effects over the years. Yes, it's not the same as changing our funding and policies, but it is still important. It is saying that the US still cares and remembers.
I agree with others that perhaps when she returns she can expand on this theme, and make a visit to children in the US such as the kids in the Texas tent camp/prisons, and kids on reservations. I hope she does keep traveling.
25
Actually the astounding part of this article is the fact that Melania has to get schooled up about the Atlantic Slave Trade. The truth is that we have a first lady who was not taught American History in school, who knows next to nothing about race and the struggle of African Americans, and who pretends to represent us! Such a far fall from the glory of how Barack Obama described the transcendent Michelle. This article makes me long for our reality -- an American who understands and who is bumbled by its past -- more than ever before.
54
@Christine A. Roux Why would she have studied American history in school? She grew up in another country. Oh please, enough about Michelle. She had her turn and now she and her husband are filthy rich.
1
I don't care for her, but to be fair, I grew up in the South, I am the same age as her, and we weren't taught much at all about the slave trade or slavery. I also lived in Ghana and visited the fort. It is far more of a gut-wrenching lesson than reading about it in a book.
2
Too bad she doesn’t show the same care & concern for children in America. Food & blankets would be welcomed by thousands of American kids. She needs to visit the Sioux & other reservations. She will see conditions similar to Africa right here. There are hungry kids living in every state in the US. Where is her concern for them? Stay home & spend that money on the people you represent.
98
Whine whine-- you don't get that she is a willing tool, an aging trophy wife with no conscience, no known friends or causes. In short she's a fiction, one of many perpetrated by her vile partner. A lifelike wax figure.
5
I guess Kate Kline May is here to bolster conservative women's long held position that there is no such thing as a monolithic women's movement wherein women are each other's great strength and loving support. Instead, there is an extremely vocal and often vicious liberal women's movement whose members will cattily shred any woman who dares to reject the feminist orthodoxy.
So much of what Kate Kline May says in her comment is nasty in the most personal of ways. Aging trophy wife? I thought we got better as we age. I thought we shouldn't judge on appearance. No conscience and no known friends or causes? Was Melania supposed to run down a list of friends and causes for Kate's edification? Does Kate know her to know whether she has a conscience or not? How is this any different from the mean girls we have all encountered in school and the workplace throughout our lives?
5
IMHO Melania Trump is a hypocrite--Be Best indeed! How about trying to make her husband and the GOP be best when considering the terror and agony sexual assault victims feel when they come forward.
As for her visit to Africa--lots of taxpayers' money but how about speaking out for medical and humanitarian funds for these countries including money for birth control...lot more needed than the amorphous, on and off again, feel good Be Best campaign.
60
While Melania is traveling in Africa immigrant children who have been separated from their parents in the United States were were being transported by her husband's government in the dead of night to a tent city on the Texas boarder.
Our immigrant First Lady has plenty of work to do in the country that has granted her and her parents citizenship. The hypocrisy of this trip cannot go without comment.
111
Hypocracy is the trump mantra.
2
A two year globetrotting tour?
A chance to interact with sane non-haters?
Just the ticket!
11
It's a bit sad that in order to relax, Melania has to literally leave the county. Too bad she can't convince her husband to 'Be Best'.
50
@Trix To be fair, he is the best at playground bullying.
3
I am disappointed to read disparaging comments from some below about an American abroad.
I am an American abroad - living in Bogota, Colombia.
Desipte all negativity coming from home, I attempt to make a postive impression about America and sell America in a postive light.
I was just at our embassy here - actually a day after this two days of shameful Senate so called hearings.
I was astonished that so many Colombians were still seeking visas - they had mounted police to control. Out of curiosity, I asked a few about those two days in the Senate.
Many had not heard. A few said - despite all that - America is still the best country in the world. And a few who had their visas approved - could not stop smiling.
I find folks at home - sell out on America - a lot faster than many expats. Also, this constant smearing aof a great country and it's law abiding citizens - no foreigner overseas seems to buy. Well, for starters - just ask the illegals attempting gate crashing. I have been to 113 countries and counting - I never fail to meet a young person who always says," I dream of going to America."
As to this trip, two comments.
I wish NYT would limit comments of other journalists as part of the story. These other journalists are often saying things they know will get printed.
Second, it is telling that the 44th condemned evil in himans after a visit to thus fort.
While FLOTUS empathized with the slaves.
11
@Neil
As a journalist, Neil, I don't need The Times to get into print. A comment on your comment. President Obama condemned evil as a man who identifies as black, with a personal understanding of all the evil that has been visited on blacks.
Melania Trump empathized with the slaves as a white woman who can only imagine what they went through. There's a difference, because they have a different perspective on race and the world. Both are valid. They just have had different lots in life.
I'm not condemning Mrs. Trump or her visit, despite her past birtherism. Rather, brava to her for trying to build bridges instead of destroying them. -- thegamesmenplay.com
1
@Neil I doubt many of the aspiring immigrants or other foreign nationals who dream of coming to the US have never been here; they see the America of fantasy through the distorted lens of Hollywood. Our country was once believed to have streets paved in gold. In many cases, people are better off staying right where they are.
2
What about the unaccompanied minors being concentrated in camps in the desert.
While this is being done in our name I don't care about her trip, do you?
I would just try to "Be Humane" forget the "Be Best" (always struck me as a bit too Ubermensch)
56
Who wouldn't be relaxed being welcomed after the horrific reception she has gotten at home? If you feel every move you make is fodder for misinterpretation, you simply don't make moves.
I expected a 'but' in this almost positive piece, so smiled at the 'seems' to qualify the good press. Quite predictable and a tad amusing.
11
Please take a longer look. M is a fraud, a willing tool of the trumpocracy. Perhaps she's human, caring, thoughtful but inSeriously doubt it. Her handlers need a much better narrative for her.
1
She's complicit and an enabler. The PR machine not withstanding.
92
People might have mocked her but Melania may very well be the only decent individual - and a good First Lady in history - of the Trump gang, blood related or not.
So don't judge the book by its preface. Trump & co may be savvy operators and have all sort of MBAs and PhDs behind them but none can match heart with a Eastern European lady trying to make her way in America. A win for immigrants. A win for common folks.
28
@Bos I too come from an immigrant family, one that takes offense at your post categorizing Melania as an ‘Eastern European lady trying to make her way in America’. She chose a route making her way that is a last resort for many women historically. It is not a win for immigrants and especially not women anywhere.
31
@Bos I just cannot reconcile being a decent individual and being married to Trump. Jut cannot.
27
@Bos
She's a birther. That settles it for me.
8
Melania trump is building her image but some of us remember she supported trump`s birther movement in an elaborate interview with Joy Behar.
I will support Melania once she leaves the liar in chief, not until then.
112
Keep doing this stuff, Melania! Don’t go back! You and the real world need each other, and you can share with people everywhere contempt for our President.
20
She is married to the man who disregards all international norms of conduct and has taken America from a place of respect in the world to a laughing stock. Why even report on her, you add another arrow to the quiver of Trump. It is more free publicity, and one more article that normalizes his occupation of the White House. Please, stop making him (through her) seem normal.
78
@Richard Bittner
He couldn't look normal through a saint. He is what he is and other than those who worship him know that. She's trying to distance herself - as far as the other side of the world!
11
While this is an utterly meaningless trip for the rest of us, I have no doubt that it is a rare pleasure for a Melania to escape Washington and the nightmare of her husband’s presidency.
It’s too bad that Africans have to pay the psychic price of her visit (and that Americans have to pay the financial cost).
107
I hope her visits to Africa will at least lead to some funding which is much needed - for instance funding for ebola rescue and control programs.
54
@SridharC sadly, the opposite is true. tRump will cut funding severely. She is complicit and nothing more than a costly (to taxpayers) distraction.
15
What does President Trump mean, commenting that hugging and kissing African children is not an easy job? If wanted to be very good to his wife, he'd avoid commenting on her trip to Africa and let her be herself. She won't be "First Lady" forever and personally, I think she deserves to have a few happy memories of this time. Her burdens must be huge.
99
@Neela C. There is always divorce. Any woman who cares about children would not subject their own to any member of the Trump family.
15
@Lynda Taylor
I understand your point and of course, probably like everyone else, I've wondered why she stays where she is; however, she may be one of those people who "creates their own reality" and doesn't realize the truth about her husband.
Giving a voice to the families in African can't be wrong.
Maybe he meant it would be difficult for him, a Herculean task.
1