Melania Trump won't show Jill Biden a tour of the White House, flouting tradition
The first ladies used to greet each other like this for a century.
United States First Lady Melania Trump urged Americans to "be better" during her years in the White House. But her decision to break the century-old tradition of welcoming her successor home has brought her anti-bullying campaign to the fore for all the wrong reasons.
Ashley Biden revealed that Melania has yet to contact her mother, new First Lady Jill Biden, in an interview with NBC on Tuesday. It is customary for first ladies to invite the next on opening day, a symbolic transition that has been going on since the 1920s, reports The Wrap.
Barbara Bush gives @HillaryClinton a tour of the White House on January 6, 1993 and HRC greets Laura Bush at the White House on December 18, 2000. #FirstLady https://t.co/ZGySgwbH0d pic.twitter.com/1wxGLROY4d
— Hillary In Pictures (@HillaryPix) January 18, 2021
"I don't think they're going through traditional protocol, which is unfortunate," Biden told NBC, who noted his family was "okay with that."
As the Washington Post mentions, these tours sometimes pave the way for friendships between first ladies.
Even those on bad terms - like Jackie O and Mamie Eisenhower, or Nancy Reagan and Barbara Bush - have always been part of the tradition.
Melania herself had been greeted by Michelle Obama, who said in an Instagram post last November how difficult it had been for her to overcome her personal problems with Donald Trump's "racist lies" about her husband for fulfill his duty.
“Donald Trump had spread racist lies about my husband that put my family in danger. It wasn't something I was ready to forgive, she wrote. But I knew that, for the good of our country, I had to find the strength and maturity to put my anger aside. ”
The Bush sisters welcoming the Obama sisters as part of a peaceful, mature transition process that has, until now, been our tradition, no matter the party, no matter the players. I sincerely hope this year’s break with that tradition is a singular event. pic.twitter.com/WtYrPUVOMC
— Cathy Lewis (@CathyLewisTalks) January 16, 2021
The Obamas had a warm and positive experience when they received their own welcome to the White House, via the Bush family. Although the outgoing and incoming presidents were also from opposing political parties, their children had played together and the Bush daughters had written a letter full of advice for the daughters of Obama.
"You have so much to look forward to": The Bush daughters offer advice to Malia and Sasha Obama in an open letter https://t.co/fPcNT1gomW pic.twitter.com/x7dX0rPIQG
— CNN (@CNN) January 16, 2017
The irony of Melania Trump snubbing Jill Biden while calling on Americans in her farewell speech to "be best" has not gone unnoticed on Twitter.
In the spirit of unity, Melania Trump refuses to reach out to incoming First Lady Dr. Jill Biden.
— Hamish Mitchell (@H_MitchellPhoto) January 14, 2021
n this spirit of unity, Melania Trump refuses to reach out to First Lady Dr. Jill Biden.
Melania trump has broken tradition by NOT inviting the incoming First Lady to the White House.
— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) January 18, 2021
That's not very "Be Best," is it?
Melania Trump broke tradition by NOT inviting the new first lady to the White House.
Does part of "Be Best" mean not meeting with Jill Biden ? https://t.co/PluhikqIxL
— Maxwell Dumb (@MaxwellDumb) January 18, 2021
It's not really "being better", is it?
What part of “being better” means not meeting Jill Biden?
Michelle Obama graciously hosted Melania Trump at the White House immediately after 2016 election to ensure a smooth transition.
— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) January 18, 2021
Melania Trump has done absolutely nothing for Dr. Jill Biden.
Some people are givers, others takers: pic.twitter.com/lBYWe32wkR
Michelle Obama graciously welcomed Melania Trump to the White House after the 2016 election to ensure a smooth transition.
Melania Trump has done absolutely nothing for Dr. Jill Biden.
Some people give, others take.
Melania Trump also failed to mention Biden in her farewell speech; an omission which is less historically significant, but which remains notable.
Fortunately, as the spouse of a former vice president, Jill Biden is already familiar with the abode.
This end-of-term controversy certainly won't help Melania emerge from her position as the most hated first lady in polling history and owner of a personal Twitter account that many have said they don't intend. to follow from now on.
She also became the butt of jokes about the interior and exterior design changes she made to the residence's fame. Many hope that the transformation of the “sterile” rose garden in Melania will be rethought, in particular.
Melania's Rose Garden... pic.twitter.com/T8hWu9GHBY
— 🌎 The Tao of Kat 🌎 (@kathrynresister) January 18, 2021
And who could forget his famous Christmas trees worthy of a horror movie?
well, anyway, the redecoration of Hill House is going great pic.twitter.com/t77dvADHs8
— Mo Ryan (@moryan) November 26, 2018
This text originally published on HuffPost Canada has been translated from English.
