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Michelle Obama on awkward gift exchange with Trumps — and just what was in the box
Today.com ^ | 1/31/2018 | Ree Himes

Posted on 01/31/2018 7:22:07 AM PST by simpson96

Former President Barack Obama transferred executive power to Donald Trump on Jan. 20, 2017, but that wasn't the only memorable exchange that took place that day.

During a recent visit to "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," Michelle Obama recalled the awkward moment that incoming first lady Melania Trump handed her a ribbon-wrapped gift, which she hadn't anticpated.

In an interview set to air Thursday, Obama told the host that the problem wasn't that the gift was unwelcome. It simply was a surprise, given the occasion.

"Well, there’s all this protocol," she explained. "I mean, this is like a state visit, so they tell you that you’re going to do this, they’re going to stand here."

However, they don't tell you what to do when someone surprises you with a bright blue box from Tiffany & Co.

"Never before do you get this gift, so I’m sort of like 'OK. What am I supposed to do with this gift?'" she said. "And everyone cleared out and no one would come and take the box. And I’m thinking do we take the picture with (it)? ... No staff, no one. I was like, what do you do with the box?"

So, for one meme-worthy moment, she held the package, looked around and appeared baffled about how to proceed. That is until someone else stepped in to help.

"And then my husband saved the day," she smiled. "See he grabbed the box and took it back inside."

But what was inside the buzzed-about box?

"It was a lovely frame," she said.

(Excerpt) Read more at today.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: gifthorseinthemouth; melaniagift; michelle
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To: simpson96
"I mean, this is like a state visit...

I mean, oh my Gawwwwd...

21 posted on 01/31/2018 7:37:48 AM PST by WayneS (An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last. - Winston Churchill)
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To: Howie66

Spot On


22 posted on 01/31/2018 7:38:12 AM PST by carmen2017
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To: WayneS

“...so I’m sort of like ‘OK. What am I supposed to do with this gift?’” she said. “And everyone cleared out and no one would come and take the box. And I’m thinking do we take the picture with (it)? ... No staff, no one. I was like, what do you do with the box?”

There’s the kind of brain power and decision making that made her a top flight lawyer /mega sarc


23 posted on 01/31/2018 7:40:08 AM PST by simpson96
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To: simpson96

Maybe it wasn’t anticipated, but doesn’t she know how to react when someone hands her a gift? Smh... not the sharpest, gracious or most attuned First Lady we’ve ever had


24 posted on 01/31/2018 7:40:13 AM PST by FrdmLvr
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To: simpson96

I have to wonder about someone who is flustered by a gift box.

Express your thanks and politely hold onto the box. If your staff is apoplectic about it, one of them would eventually have run out and taken it before the photo. Otherwise, hold it nicely and smile.

Eight years in public life at the highest level of our nation and Michelle didn’t learn how to think on her feet about such little matters?


25 posted on 01/31/2018 7:40:21 AM PST by LostInBayport (When there are more people riding in the cart than there are pulling it, the cart stops moving...)
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To: MountainWalker
You mean the fact that she didnt have any idea what to do when offered a gift in a formal setting?

MOOCH IS A STUPID BITCH. SAY "THANK YOU, VERY MUCH" and MOVE ON you stupid BITCH (oops I redundicated myself)


26 posted on 01/31/2018 7:40:49 AM PST by Delta 21 (Build The Wall !! Jail The Cankle !!)
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To: simpson96

How about: “Oh, what a nice surprise, thank you so much”.


27 posted on 01/31/2018 7:42:29 AM PST by WayneS (An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last. - Winston Churchill)
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To: MountainWalker

I think it was Freudian whether a slip or no. It was a harbinger of the “frame” job Trump would be dealing with very soon thereafter.


28 posted on 01/31/2018 7:47:14 AM PST by t4texas (If you can't run with the big dogs . . . STAY ON THE PORCH!)
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To: simpson96

Google images....gift michelle to Laura Bush. There is a video of Michelle handing a gift to Laura...and Laura holds onto it. It looks like a bigger box than the Tiffany box.


29 posted on 01/31/2018 7:49:25 AM PST by Sacajaweau
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To: rjsimmon

She’s a liar. See my last post


30 posted on 01/31/2018 7:50:15 AM PST by Sacajaweau
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To: Sacajaweau

No kidding? Wow, great find.

Mrs Obama, a completely classless FORMER first lady...


31 posted on 01/31/2018 7:52:02 AM PST by Professional
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To: Sacajaweau
Are you calling Michelle Obamma, The prior First Lady of the United States, A LIAR ?!!


32 posted on 01/31/2018 7:52:12 AM PST by Delta 21 (Build The Wall !! Jail The Cankle !!)
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To: Delta 21
Thanks...There's a whole video. Laura cradles the gift in her arms and keeps it with her.

Michelle says that Melania made a BIG faux pas...which was a blatant lie.

And Michelle couldn't wait to dump the gift as any gracious host would.....not...

33 posted on 01/31/2018 7:58:43 AM PST by Sacajaweau
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To: simpson96

Michelle who?


34 posted on 01/31/2018 7:59:01 AM PST by Bigg Red (Francis is a Nincompope.)
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To: Pilgrim's Progress

It was an athletic supporter.

Because, you know, it has a penis.


35 posted on 01/31/2018 7:59:08 AM PST by T-Bone Texan (Death To Traitors. I'll Bring The Rope.)
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To: Bigg Red

According to VF one of the top 100 most stylish women in the US.


36 posted on 01/31/2018 7:59:58 AM PST by morphing libertarian (Build Kate's Wall)
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To: simpson96

That’s actually a pretty thoughtful gift for the circumstances.


37 posted on 01/31/2018 8:00:02 AM PST by 9YearLurker
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To: simpson96

The mere mention of the hate filled Ellen Degenerate hits a nerve with me. She spent her recent birthday hating Trump rather than celebrating, then claiming she is “not political”.


38 posted on 01/31/2018 8:01:47 AM PST by KC_Conspirator
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To: Howie66
Michelle Obama exists solely to set the standard that ensures that Yoko Ono is always cast in a comparably positive light
39 posted on 01/31/2018 8:03:51 AM PST by rdcbn
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To: simpson96
Bet it came with a picture of a smiling Trump in the frame. He is the troll king after all.

This one would have been good.

40 posted on 01/31/2018 8:04:19 AM PST by LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget (God punishes Conservatives by making them argue with fools. Go Trump!)
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