The first lady visited several African countries on her first major international trip alone. But looming in the background were President Trump’s comments about the continent.
Melania Trump, the first lady who is known to shy away from the spotlight, embarked on her first major solo international trip last week.
While visiting Ghana, Malawi, Kenya and Egypt, Mrs. Trump wove in her child-focused “Be Best” campaign. She navigated a continent that has felt pressure from President Trump’s words and policies, from immigration to aid distribution.
Mrs. Trump’s trip came at a chaotic time in Washington, as her husband faced a bitter fight over his Supreme Court nominee and partisan rancor weeks before the midterm elections.
SATURDAY, Oct. 6
In front of the historic pyramids of Giza, Mrs. Trump answered questions from reporters in a rare five-minute session with the press. The first lady spoke about the Supreme Court confirmation of Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh, her husband’s late-night tweets and, of course, her wardrobe.
“You know what?” Mrs. Trump responded. “We just completed an amazing trip. We went to Ghana. We went to Malawi. We went to Kenya. Now here we are in Egypt. I want to talk about my trip and not what I wear.”
Mrs. Trump met with Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the Egyptian president, and Entissar Mohameed Amer, the Egyptian first lady at the presidential palace in Cairo. The two first ladies, along with Mr. Sisi, met for about an hour in the ornate palace with tight security.
Thursday, oct. 4 TO Friday, Oct. 5
Mrs. Trump visited Nairobi National Park, home to black rhinos, lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffaloes, giraffes and zebras, among other animals. Flanked by Secret Service agents, the first lady watched zebras graze, with the skyline of Kenya’s capital on the horizon. Despite the leisurely safari, Mrs. Trump drew criticism for wearing a white pith helmet, which is closely associated with colonialism in Africa.
Workers at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi spend years bonding with orphaned elephants. Mrs. Trump helped feed the young elephants milk from giant bottles. At one point in the visit, Mrs. Trump was almost knocked down by two playful elephants. Her Secret Service detail jumped into action.
Cheerful children greeted Mrs. Trump at an orphanage in Nairobi that cares for 130 children and promotes women and children’s health. The first lady handed out “Be Best” blankets and teddy bears, and read stories to children.
Thursday, Oct. 4
After arriving in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe, to much fanfare, Mrs. Trump visited the Chipala Primary School. Roughly 8,000 students attend the school, which employs just 75 teachers, according to the White House.
Tuesday, Oct. 2 TO Wednesday, Oct. 3
Mrs. Trump landed at Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana, on Tuesday morning, greeted by a troop of cultural dancers, children waving American and Ghanaian flags, and Rebecca Akufo-Addo, the first lady of Ghana. Lillian Naa Adai Sai, 8, presented Mrs. Trump with a bouquet of flowers.
Mrs. Trump’s motorcade drew onlookers from the busy streets of Accra as it made its way to Greater Accra Regional Hospital. The first lady handed out teddy bears to children and visited the maternity ward, accompanied by Ms. Akufo-Addo.
Two hours before Mrs. Trump arrived at the Emintsimadze Palace in Cape Coast on Wednesday, several of her aides delivered traditional libations, meant to help the chiefs of the Fante people, who primarily live in Ghana, communicate with their ancestors.
Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, the paramount chief of the Cape Coast traditional area, welcomed Mrs. Trump and granted official permission for her visit to Cape Coast Castle. The reception, attended by chiefs from the surrounding areas adorned in gold and kente cloth, was held at the palace’s Obama Hall, which was named for President Barack Obama after he visited in 2009.
Alongside crashing waves, Mrs. Trump toured Cape Coast Castle, a somber memorial site that formerly housed Ghanaian slaves before they were transported to the Americas by the British.
“This is a very special place,” Mrs. Trump said when asked about her visit. “I will never forget the incredible experience and the stories that I heard from the gentleman.”
“What happened so many years ago, it’s really a tragedy,” she added.
