"Tintine in Kenya": Melania Trump wears pith helmet in Africa and attracts criticism and mockery
The First Lady of the United States left alone, on tour on the African continent, where she multiplies the clichés.
On a solo tour on the African continent, the First Lady of the United States began, Friday, October 5, her third stage, in Kenya. While her uneventful stints in Ghana and Malawi attracted little comment, Melania Trump's stay in Kenya earned her a flurry of criticism and mockery. His outfit, in particular, was strongly denounced.
In Kenya, Melania Trump first visited the David Sheldrick Wildlife Fund (DSWT), where she bottle-fed a baby elephant. Then, Melania Trump went on a safari in Nairobi National Park wearing a white pith helmet. His visit to the capital ended with a trip to an orphanage and a theater performance.
Melania completes the stereotype trifecta--elephants, orphans and even the pith helmet.....#FLOTUSinAfrica2018 @africasacountry @AFP @AP pic.twitter.com/TkgFb3w4yY
— Matt Carotenuto (@matt_carotenuto) October 5, 2018
"Elephants, orphans and even pith helmets: Melania Trump achieves the trifecta of stereotypes" on Africa, commented Matt Carotenuto, professor of African history, on Twitter. But it is especially his colonial helmet (or salacot) that caught the attention.
Fashion faux pas
A vestige of the colonial era, this salacot is a symbol of domination: it was worn only by the colonists, owners of agricultural estates and slaves. "It's like showing up to a meeting of African-American cotton farmers wearing a Confederate uniform ... The historical context matters," Carotenuto insisted. "Tintine Trump in Kenya," mocks a journalist from Europe 1.
Tintine Trump au Kenya pic.twitter.com/d9Q9u9ridm
— Xavier Yvon (@xavieryvon) October 6, 2018
Another internet user imagines a discussion between Melania Trump and the White House staff:
"What should I wear on my African tour to pay tribute to the culture and history of my hosts?
- A colonial helmet. Definitely. "
Melania: What should I wear on my Africa trip to pay tribute to the culture and history of my hosts?
NEWS: I just sat down for an exclusive, sit-down interview with @FLOTUS Melania Trump in Africa. Watch our one-hour primetime special Friday, 10/12 at 10pm ET on @ABC. https://t.co/zX8YubFTpL pic.twitter.com/8fK2B2kF9I
— Tom Llamas (@LlamasNBC) October 5, 2018
This "fashion faux-pas" also recalls the controversy that Melania Trump had aroused last June. On her way to visit a reception center for migrant children on the Mexican border, she wore a jacket with the words on the back saying "I really don't care, do you?" ("I don't care, do you?")
