I remember reporters reporting live from Bush ranch about President Bush enjoying Thanksgiving with his family...as it turned out he was actually in Iraq with the military.
OK how about this... POTUS wants to be with the troops on the 4th, but can’t because of speech on the Mall late on Thursday. So how about the POTUS takes the FLOUS airplane, and her Callsign (She’d be aboard also) and they head out to see the troops on the 3rd so to be back in time for the publicized speech. The VP trip was a cover to keep him in place while The President is gone.
The press gets wind of some details and their Fake News traits kick in....
annnd Boom a 400+ tread