Quiet diplomacy in a fashionable style.
By all appearances, First Lady Melania Trump has bounced back nicely from her recent kidney surgery and a rather lengthy recovery. While Trump critics in the media enjoyed some rather silly speculation because she was not in the spotlight as she recovered, Mrs. Trump left no doubt she is ready to get back to work as she accompanied her husband to Europe this week. By all accounts, she was a hit.
The Trumps kept a tight schedule, with the president attending meetings with the other leaders of NATO’s member nations while the First Lady participated in activities for the spouses. While President Trump was busy leaving his mark in the press for his blunt talk and his demands of the other nations to fulfill monetary commitments, Melania socialized with the other political spouses.
Joined by 10 other NATO spouses — including one husband — the US first lady enjoyed a concert, a chocolate tasting by the Belgian royal family’s official chocolatier and a fashion display that included hats by Belgian milliner Fabienne Delvigne.
While her husband discussed world affairs and openly critiqued his European counterparts at NATO headquarters, Trump smiled warmly at multiple photo opportunities, greeting Amelie Derbaudrenghien, who is the partner of Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, and Ingrid Schulerud, wife of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. She did not say a word in front of the press.
Seated between Derbaudrenghien and French first lady Brigitte Macron, Trump observed the concert of Hubay, Tchaikovsky and Piazzolla, at one point clapping prematurely with her counterparts, then smiling and continuing to listen.
Music, chocolate, and a fashion show? I’d be smiling, too. What’s not to like? Plus, she had the bonus of hanging with her new bff, Brigitte Macron. It all played out like a good cop/bad cop routine from the Trumps. He’s the one to lower the boom on the leaders while she brings the softer, gentler side of international diplomacy.
A great visit in Belgium! Proud to represent the US at the spousal program during @NATO. Thank you to our host Belgium, @usembbrussels, @musicchapel & @Nato for a wonderful program.
