So what did Melania have to do that was more important than being a hostess to Mrs. Abe?

[milestogo]

Washington (CNN) Traditionally, it's the role of the first lady to accompany spouses of visiting foreign leaders around Washington. That often means a good deal of showcasing local museums, schools, monuments and gardens. It's essentially playing tour guide, but it's part of the role of representing the Administration and playing gracious hostess to very VIP out of town guests.

Melania Trump appears to be breaking with this particular tradition. On two pre-scheduled Washington stops Friday, one to Gallaudet University and the other to attend a National Cherry Blossom Festival committee meeting at the Japanese embassy, the first lady of Japan, Akie Abe, was alone, without Mrs. Trump to guide her.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/10/politics/melania-trump-akie-abe-washington/

Couldn't find a babysitter?

Cleaning the tower?

Meeting with her divorce lawyer?

[msongs]

1. does one suppose abe has seen her pictures too? nt

[appleannie1943]

2. Thumbing her nose at protocol.

[forgotmylogin]

56. Is Melania even in DC?

I thought she was staying in NY with her son till he finishes school?

Not to say they can't have a plane or a helicopter shuttle her down, but she seems thoroughly uninterested in the FLOTUS role.

Not that I honestly blame her.

But they seriously should have arranged a backup companion/chaperone for Mrs. Abe.

[Jim Beard]

69. They could have ask Mrs 2nd first lady to fill in.

[forgotmylogin]

99. I agree,

but since she's an "advisor" she probably doesn't think she should play the tour-guide role. Though it probably would have gained her some cred points.

[appleannie1943]

98. She was on the plane to Florida with her John looking all sweet and innocent when reporters were

asking questions about Flynn and Trumpery was looking shocked.

[Cha]

3. What a fucked up regime. I want the Obamas Back!

[irisblue]

11. me too Cha me too.

[get the red out]

14. Definitely!

I miss being proud of our first couple.

[Tarheel_Dem]

48. Can you imagine the phoney outrage if Michelle Obama had pulled crap like this? n/t

[Cha]

52. Michelle Obama is a kind, loving, interested person..

Thank you for their pic, Tarheel!

[Alice11111]

83. Yeah, thanks, the photo shows a striking difference. Plus,

Melania was probably scared to death. The only thing she seems to know how to do is dress and hang on to The Barron for dear life.

[jmowreader]

81. You mean Michelle Obama...

...the woman who had to welcome Melania Trump to the White House because her philandering husband wasn't about to? There's more class in Michelle Obama's dirty socks than most of us have in our whole bodies.

[Eliot Rosewater]

4. No class, no interest in America, etc.

Horrible

[Warpy]

5. Biweekly appointment at the nail salon

right after the daily workout with her personal trainer and before an arduous afternoon of designing watches for QVC.

[smirkymonkey]

6. Planning her escape?

[HipChick]

7. Too busy trying to sue

to escape her past...

[Blue_Roses]

8. Melania is not into her new gig

I don't think she wants it. She seems uncomfortable when in public. I still kind of feel for her. She seems so miserable. Sad. I miss Michelle Obama!

[TransitJohn]

15. I don't. She'll just have to

console herself with her oodles of money in her gaudily gilt tower. Fuck you, Melania.

[FloridaBlues]

16. I can't say I feel sorry for her, she has remained married to this loser

She also was totally on board and was a birther herself during that time trump was spuing his none sense.

[uponit7771]

41. She never expected it, Benedict Donald didn't want to win

[Blue_Roses]

72. Exactly

Yep

[Alice11111]

84. Yeah, they treat her like shit, her hubby verbally abuses her in public.

Even stupid people get their feelings hurt. The poor kid though, he gives her an excuse. He's 10 years old! Not like he needs full time mother supervision. That is for Mama, not him.
Ivanka had an infant and was back on the trail in less than a week. Evidently, she had planned time off with the baby, but daddy was off the rails, so she had to go back

[Tanuki]

93. Ivanka left her newborn and her other 2 little kids back home when she and Jared frolicked in Macedo

with Wendy Deng Murdoch last summer.

[Alice11111]

95. True enough, but that supposedly was for fun. Doing the worst

Part of Melanias job must cause resentment. She said she wouldn't do that part. I doubt she is a devoted parent anyway. That class, devotion usually means good nannies and $$ schools or tutors. I wondered when she was right back on the trail after the baby, and she was virtually always there...they had to have her to control him...when she ever saw her children.

[Tanuki]

96. Oh, I agree. Ivanka's kids probably spend so much time with nannies

that they didn't even notice her absence.

[etherealtruth]

9. A horde of boorish vulgarians descended upon us

If it is boorish, vulgar, or malevolent the 45 horde does it.

Intelligence, dignity, grace, and elegance is totally absent in the 45 horde

[Hortensis]

10. Was it her choice?

Perhaps we should be sneering at Ivanka. Or perhaps she had no say in this either.

I've never seen anything to specifically admire in Melania or Ivanka, or to especially despise lacking further information. They were both already in the middle of very complex situations with a dysfunctional authoritarian husband and father--before he became 45 and stuff really hit the fan from all directions.

It'd be interesting to know how they'd both behave if he were not expecting them both to grab every sleazy opportunity to make money (as I strongly suspect) and if their relationships with this dysfunctional creep were not so delicate that disagreeing and disobeying could potentially turn him against them.

As for Mrs. Abe, my guess is understands as well as the psychologists and other experts they undoubtedly have analyzing 45's actions for them can manage and does not take it personally.

[Tanuki]

25. Even if Melania was not present, for whatever reason, it seems rude and

inhospitable for the Dolt not to have provided someone of high stature to accompany Mrs. Abe to Gallaudet College and her other activities today. (For those who haven't followed the story, Ivanka did not accompany Mrs. Abe, either).

[Hortensis]

79. Oooh, yes. It certainly does seem rude, and

also cloddish and amateurish. Mrs. Abe is the wife of a visiting head of state, after all, and there are reasons we extend ceremonial honors to wives as well.

Oh, well. At least Abe himself is not "rolling alone" in DC. Could be worse.

[Alice11111]

85. Bill Clinton would have graciously escorted her, and he would have enjoyed it.

He would have found out all of the interesting things about her. They would have had a good time.

[Hortensis]

87. A brilliant, knowledgeable and charming man who

genuinely enjoys talking with women? You're right. They would have had a good time.

Sigh...

[underpants]

102. That was very nicely put

I'm going to post below - She's meant to be seen, not heard. This isn't "My Fair Lady"....if you get my drift

Saying anything beyond that about her past or her present "condition" would purely be speculation. Even in an anonymous forum such as this I don't want to make those statements.

[livetohike]

12. Boorish behavior from the so called First Lady. Money doesn't equal class. This gang has absolutely

no social skills whatsoever. Can't even be bothered to learn. USA! USA!

[Mz Pip]

13. Getting her nails done?

She sure doesn't seem interested in being FLOTUS.

[TrekLuver]

17. Because Ivanka is talking business and Melania probably hates this whole thing.

[malachi]

18. Searching for Moose and Squirrel?

[Skittles]

19. Melania never expected to actually have to WORK

[milestogo]

44. Although according to the lawsuit she filed

she did expect to make millions off of being FLOTUS.

[Skittles]

45. yes, she wants to trade on her name alone

that is what she has always done

[Alice11111]

86. ...but she would never take advantage of her position, of course.

[cynatnite]

20. I haven't seen her since inauguration...

Where the hell is she?

Does Trump only bring her out for special occasions?

[Skittles]

46. Maher nailed it

Ivanka is Donald's daughter-wife

[Alice11111]

90. Yeah, but Ivanka doesn't want to be doing it in public.

Plus, she has 3 small kids, and other WH duties. Her business is falling apart. Wife has a kid who needs a break from his smoothering mom

[Glamrock]

21. The gardener?

[milestogo]

22. More likely the butler

Can't imagine the Rumps having any living thing in their care, not even a houseplant.

[underpants]

104. Well

There was that thing with wife #2 and the bodyguard

It didn't end well. He never got over it and died of a drug overdose.

[babylonsister]

23. She's way out of her element and she knows it; he doesn't. nt

[Stinky The Clown]

24. I don't give a fuck about Malaria or her issues

Just another case of Me Me Me in this band of fucking low life misfits.

They are a shit stain on America's shortz.

[Siwsan]

26. Well, there is that nightly caviar lotion rub-down routine with her son

Even typing that creeps me out.

[fierywoman]

57. Ha-Ha! You beat me to it!!!

[3catwoman3]

70. It is pretty creepy, for sure.

When it comes to caviar, I would rather eat it than have it rubbed on me.

[Maru Kitteh]

75. Tick my spot for "none of the above"

[Maru Kitteh]

76. Well, he's much bigger now, so it probably takes quite a bit longer.

or something.

Ewwwwwww.

[GP6971]

27. Does she even go to Mar a Loco

on the weekends when he is there?

[Brother Buzz]

30. She was their last weekend

Hell, she even planned the football party favors. Jeez Louise, football party favors?

[jmowreader]

37. Does that not look like the least fun Super Bowl party ever?

You realize if the person who won the popular vote would have been inaugurated, her husband would have blown about half a million of his own dollars on wings, beer and sliders, called about a dozen Pro Bowlers, had Air Force One shoved out of its hangar, called in about a thousand GIs and thrown a party Alex Jones would have been complaining about until five years after Hillary's second term came to an end. Who the fuck throws a BANQUET for the Super Bowl? Did he even watch it? Does he even realize what those decorations on the table are supposed to represent? And why the hell does he look so pissed?

[Brother Buzz]

39. Correct on all points

Oh, the Patriots comeback started after Tяump left midway through the 3rd quarter with his team trailing 28-3. Quitter! Loser!

And who in Gods name wears a fucking necktie on game day besides assholes and owners?

[Alice11111]

88. His fat red tie is out of style, hangs down to his crouch, and

Points at his, I assume, given his hands, tiny piece

[LuvLoogie]

64. Those are some cheap ass dollar store decorations.

And the snacks in small bags lifted from The Subway. Cheap ass drink glasses, too. They're for wine and beer and whiskey sours and water and margaritas

[Tanuki]

91. Look how miserable he and Melania were at his inauguration luncheon!

[milestogo]

97. Upset because she couldn't wear a plunging neckline

didn't like the color of the roses, and was forced to sit next to a boorish idiot.

[jmowreader]

100. It's impossible to understate how bad they hate each other

If you need an illustration of why Melania's staying in New York...there you are. She must be staying with him for Barron.

[Lotusflower70]

38. Ugh

Now there's a happy couple right there lol.

[anneboleyn]

53. They look like they absolutely HATE each other - or Melania HATES him (can't blame her)

Damn she looks very unhappy lately. I have criticized her, and I don't think she is an innocent in any way, but I can see that she is a VERY UNHAPPY WIFE.

[Maru Kitteh]

77. Looks like she had her lips blown up again

Fish lips.

[dembotoz]

28. The assumption is it is by her choice

Perhaps not.
Perhaps she has been discarded.
Perhaps she has been sent into exile.
Tower of London, Trump tower perhaps not that different

[Alice11111]

89. Tower of London, good analogy...I think he doesn't want her there

She is arm candy, but he is embarrassed frequently when she opens her mouth. Its Mutually beneficial to avoid each other when possible. Maybe he bribed her with more monetary than the prenuptial if she hangs around for his prez. Her lawyers are probably on it.

[tavernier]

29. Hope he doesn't find out about the faux pas

and start ripping out her hair, like he did with his first wife. She already looks terrified of him.

[milestogo]

32. They sooooooooo don't look like a couple.

[anneboleyn]

54. She NEVER touches him. I think she hates him (and can't blame her)

[meadowlander]

31. Literally anything.

Really in 2017 we're criticizing a woman for not "playing gracious hostess" to her husband's work colleagues with sufficient gusto?

John Oliver needs to do a "How is this still a thing" on the whole FLOTUS role. It's outdated and embarrassing.

[milestogo]

34. Yeah, its not just a job.

[procon]

33. Is she even allowed to do anything without Trump's say so?

He seems to only think about himself and it likely never even occurred to him to be a gracious host and think of inviting his spouse as an asset in schmoozing with VIPs. He never looks at her, he doesn't touch her, or even speak to her like a normal husband would be acting with his wife.

[oldtime dfl_er]

35. Being FLOTUS

isn't in her contract.

[gademocrat7]

36. No sense of decorum

Grifters in the White House. Disgraceful.

[Ilsa]

40. Why couldn't Pence's wife step in?

This WH is in chaos, like JEB said would happen.

[milestogo]

42. She could have.

Maybe she will in the future.

I can't imagine any former first ladies not moving into the WH with their husbands, and not greeting important dignitaries.

[Ilsa]

43. I bet melania doesn't want to have anything to do with that viper's nest

in DC. Why should she bother with it after having been subjected to humiliation last year?

[Retrograde]

49. She does when it benefits her, though

Early this week she let her lawyers argue that a British tabloid hurt her plans to capitalize on her position to make millions with her brand of whatever. And she's happy to let the taxpayers foot the bill for her to stay in her gilded palace in NYC.

No, I will not cut her any slack. She was in her 30s when she married, and presumably not some wide-eyed innocent. As for being subjected to humiliation - she had no problem with jumping on the birther bandwagon.

Just what does she do with her time anyway? Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama had jobs before their husbands were elected, and didn't take too long to start working on their projects.

[Ilsa]

50. Oh, I don't cut her slack.

The presidency seems to be a couples job if the parties walk out of the Oval Office.

[Impedimentus]

47. Shopping at Nordstroms ?

Probably not.

[fierywoman]

58. au contraire ... ten points for this funny answer!

[TeamPooka]

51. That's not covered in her pre-nup. Sorry. She only does what she's been paid for.

[2naSalit]

55. Having a "Polaroid Moment" with Barron? ...nt

[Guilded Lilly]

59. Elitist slug. She gets no more passes.

[pinboy3niner]

60. Story has been updated with comment from the first lady's office

The original story reported:

Mrs. Trump, who has decided to live in New York through the end of the school year with her and the President's son Barron, was on hand to greet the Abes Friday afternoon and flew with them and her husband aboard Air Force One to Palm Beach, Florida, for a weekend stay at Mar-a-Lago.

This update was added Friday night at 10:36 PM ET:

Hours after this story was published Friday afternoon, Mrs. Trump's office released a statement explaining her whereabouts:

"The First Lady was very much looking forward to welcoming Mrs. Abe to the White House upon her arrival in Washington; however, she was informed that Mrs. Abe had previous commitments during her stay in DC," the statement said.

"The first lady flew to (Andrews Air Force Base) to meet the President, Prime Minister Abe and Mrs. Abe to be able to fly with them on Air Force One as it was Mrs. Abe's first opportunity to spend time with the first lady. They will all be together for the weekend at Mar-a-Lago and have a full itinerary. Mrs. Trump is delighted to be able to welcome the Prime Minister and Mrs. Abe to the first family's winter home, which is a very special place to her and to the entire Trump family."

There was a dinner scheduled for Friday evening for the Abes and the Trumps at Mar-a-Lago, and on Saturday, it is expected the two spouses will be alone together while their husbands play golf and talk diplomacy.

But the absence of Melania Trump during Mrs. Abe's visit to the nation's capital marks a departure from past tradition, something that's fast becoming a hallmark of this new administration.

This story has been updated to add comment from the first lady's office.

[milestogo]

62. Blames it on Mrs Abe.

Melania seems to have an aversion to the White House. Kind of like staying at the Holiday Inn, I guess.

[HipChick]

63. I don't believe anything coming out of this WH

[Barack_America]

92. Grifting taxpayer money over to his resort, I see.

[underpants]

101. Mmmm sounds like a shrug-off by Mrs. Abe

She made other plans?

I don't want to speculate as to what Mrs. Abe knows and found a reason not to picture with Melania.

[Ms. Toad]

61. She is not an employee of the government. Not elected.

While it would be gracious of her to fill the traditional first lady role, she is not obligated to provide free labor just because her husband is president.

[StarryNite]

67. Yeah but

if she's not going to fill the traditional role of "First Lady" then she shouldn't be considered the "First Lady" and she should not be living in OUR White House! Wait, technically she's the "Third Lady" and doesn't live in the White House anyway. And using the term "lady" doesn't really apply to her either.

[Maru Kitteh]

66. Oh VOMIT. Melania is just as much of a fucking asshole as her husband is

She participated in his racist birther bullshit and she's admitted in her lawsuit that she wanted to rake in millions off of being the HOTUS.

To hell with all the Trump trash.

[sarcasmo]

68. Friday is caviar delivery day.

[fescuerescue]

71. I don't think she is in DC

I dunno.

It probably cost a million dollars to fly her from NYC to DC, by the time you account for everything that is involved in moving a first family member.

I'm not convinced I would condone spending that much for a meet and greet.

[pinboy3niner]

74. She wasn't. She flew to Andrews later to meet Trump and the Abes and fly with them to Florida.

It was her first time on AF1, so Trump gave her a tour of the plane.

[canetoad]

73. Here's what I think

At around the time it looked like DFT would be the nominee, there was increased interest and scrutiny of him, his spawn and his wife with a few salacious results.

Then the last straw; being mocked for his wifes plagiarized speech.
I think after that he's told her that she is no longer required.

[Mike Nelson]

78. She does not impress me...

...as the "tour guide" type. I do think she would like dressing up for the photo op, but she would rather have an underling do the tour. For being Mrs. Trump, she gets to be wealthy and treated like a queen. I don't think she's agreed on a compensation for being First Lady - and she may not; much of it does not fit her lifestyle.

[area51]

80. One of my favorite pix

[oberliner]

82. She doesn't want anything to do with the job

Or the marriage, for that matter.

[samplegirl]

94. My guess

Is that she fears being alone with him and loathes his pussy grabbing inflated ego these days!

[underpants]

103. She's meant to be seen, not heard. This isn't "My Fair Lady" or, let's say, a Julia Roberts movie

Saying anything beyond that about her past or her present "condition" would purely be speculation. Even in an anonymous forum such as this I don't want to make those statements.

[bluescribbler]

105. Wouldn't a tour guide need to know something?

I doubt if Melania knows enough about DC to be an effective guide.

[milestogo]

107. Well I doubt the 2 of them would be alone.

And Mrs. Abe has no doubt been to DC before. Its a photo op more than anything else, but its what is expected from first ladies.

[starshine00]

106. I have to wonder if these folks will refuse to be photographed with Melania

given her history and less than clothed presence online.