Posted on 05/20/2017 2:25:50 PM PDT by Kaslin
As advertised, the President embarked on the first trip abroad of his presidency this week, with the initial stop being in Saudi Arabia. He was joined by both the First Lady and his daughter Ivanka. Seen exiting Air Force One, Melania Trump, as always, looked completely stunning.
Since they were landing in Saudi Arabia, you may have noticed something conspicuously missing from the First Lady’s ensemble. She’s not wearing a head scarf as is the custom in that country and some other Muslim majority nations. (Ivanka was spotted not wearing one either.) Lest you think that Hot Air has suddenly turned into a fashion blog, fear not. I am assured by some reliable sources in the mainstream media that is a Big Freaking Deal. (Hat tip to Joe Biden.) In fact, so important was the question that the Washington Post was running a lengthy article yesterday, nervously wondering… would she or wouldn’t she?
They begin by discussing the last First Lady trip to this location when Michele Obama showed up there, also with her hair uncovered.
Before long, her lack of headscarf was triggering discussion back in the United States, as well. Many supported the first lady, arguing that gender equality shouldn’t take a back seat to religious sensitivities. However, one prominent Twitter user disagreed: “Many people are saying it was wonderful that Mrs. Obama refused to wear a scarf in Saudi Arabia, but they were insulted,” Donald Trump wrote. “We have enuf enemies.”
Two years later, the shoe is on the other foot. This weekend President Trump will arrive in Riyadh for his first trip as leader of the United States. Accompanying him will not only be his wife, Melania, but daughter Ivanka. It is unclear if the president will insist that they wear headscarves in Saudi Arabia, though it seems unlikely.
Clearly this article had less to do with whether or not the FLOUTS would don a scarf than exploiting the opportunity to accuse the President of hypocrisy or flip flopping or what have you, all based on a tweet from years ago.
Many people are saying it was wonderful that Mrs. Obama refused to wear a scarf in Saudi Arabia, but they were insulted.We have enuf enemies
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2015
So if Michele Obama did the same thing and the world didn’t end, is the story still really a big deal? Apparently so. Across the pond, the Telegraph was all over this news as soon as the doors on the plane opened. And back home, ABC was going live with it before most of the country was even awake.
First lady Melania Trump stepped off Air Force One at King Khalid International Airport Saturday morning without a head scarf — following the example of her predecessor, Michelle Obama — and potentially creating a stir in this conservative Islamic country.
Women here, including visitors and foreign dignitaries, are expected to be fully covered in public, including their head and hair, per religious and legal code.
Senior adviser Ivanka Trump, traveling as part of the presidential entourage, was also seen not wearing an abaya.
Everyone is looking for an angle and ABC seems to be no exception, working the phrase, “potentially creating a stir” into their very first sentence. But while there may have been some more conservative Saudis sitting at home and taking offense, nobody in the royal family or their entourage seemed to bat an eye. After the arrival ceremony the First Family was seen sitting inside of an opulent hall, with both Melania and Ivanka chatting away with men from the royal family and it looked like all smiles and cordial conversation.
This wasn’t a surprise because the Saudis have really backed off on that rule when it comes to foreign dignitaries. Not only did Michele Obama go there sans scarf, but she was imitated by other high ranking women including Hillary Clinton, Angela Merkel, Marine Le Pen and Theresa May. Even if some of the most conservative Saudis don’t care for it, it seems that the ruling family has finally dragged themselves out of the fifteenth century and accepted the fact that not everyone is going to go along with those rules. They could either change with the times or stop hosting a lot of western leaders.
And really, how would it have looked if the First Lady had come off the plane wearing an abaya? Given the President’s tough talk on radical Islam and his take on American exceptionalism it would have conveyed the appearance of bending a knee to the Saudi royal family. That’s just not his style. So all in all, it looks as if the media is far more “concerned” over this than anyone in either of the governments involved.
Is that necessary to post here? While true that it’s a part of her past, it’s just that: a part of her past...and she is our First Lady NOW. Let’s show more respect.
I’m sure those old photos have been gleefully posted enough at the DUmp.
I have never been able to figure out why we must make allowances for their customs and dress but they can’t recognize our culture and dress....
It’s because an article of faith for the liberals, is that we must show respect for other cultures and religions. Liberals don’t expect the same courtesy from those of other cultures and religions, for unknown reasons. Liberalism doesn’t always make common sense. If people should be “tolerant”, then of course it should go both ways. But in the liberal mind, it only goes one way.
“Sorry, but I don’t like it any better on Melania. SHE, on the other hand, is FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!
Boob belts are just ridiculous to me, no matter the wearer.”
I agree.
Ugliest dang things I’ve ever seen. Makes me think of a sumo wrestler.
LOL!
If Trump were President on September 11, 2012, Benghazi would never have happened.
“Boob belts are just ridiculous to me, no matter the wearer.”
Could that big buckle be some sort of spy device?
Of course the leftist media is saying that he did bow: https://youtu.be/6P6si03U8fQ
https://www.axios.com/conservatives-ignore-trumps-bow-to-saudi-leader-2415579136.html
And and ... OMG Trump didn’t BOW to the Muslims either !!! (like Obama)
lol
GO TRUMP!
I agree as well. They looked stupid back in the 60’s, too. Her dress reminded me a bit of a burka with the long sleeves, long length, and the dark color. I think she was being thoughtful and respectful, in addition to tasteful.
Also notice the very high neckline.
Only because of the tweet Trump sent out years ago about Michelle not wearing a headscarf. I’m getting sick of looking at the headlines.
Michelle, Hillary, and other European woman dignitaries did not cover their heads in Saudi Arabia either.
I agree.
It would have been great if she did the Lord’s prayer before coming down the steps.
“If I had $5 for every hijab I’ve seen at my local Wal-Mart since last October I could buy a nice used car”.
If I had $5 for every one I’ve seen here in southwest Colorado, I’d have $0.00.
I forgot the /sarc...
We have a painting of an orangutan in our living room, siting with a daisy in his hand. Great pic!
I don’t think my late wife ever covered her head during our two years in the Magic Kingdom.
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