First lady Melania Trump, alongside descendants of former presidents, planted a sapling from the original Eisenhower oak on the White House’s south grounds earlier this week, as many outlets including ABC News reported.
In a tweet on the day of the ceremonial planting, Mrs. Trump said she was “honored” to contribute to the “beautiful and historic” White House grounds.
The first lady thanked the White House Historical Association for organizing the event and also thanked the previous first family descendants who joined her.
I had the honor to contribute to the beautiful & historic @WhiteHouse grounds today by planting a sapling from the Eisenhower Oak. Thank you to @WhiteHouseHstry for organizing the #PresidentialSites and to the previous first family descendants who joined us today. pic.twitter.com/uqzKxNbL9H
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) August 27, 2018
Richard Emory Gatchell Jr., who is a fifth-generation grandson of President James Monroe, along with Mary Jean Eisenhower, a granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, joined the first lady for the special occasion, as Fox News reported.
This year, coincidentally, marks the 200th anniversary of President Monroe’s moving to a rebuilt White House following its fiery destruction by the British during the War of 1812.
The sapling is a replacement for a tree that was felled in a windstorm last spring.
It was taken from the still-standing Eisenhower Oak shading the garden in the East Wing.
Melania Trump had also welcomed President of the Republic of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta and fellow first lady Margaret Gakuo Kenyatta prior to the planting ceremony.
.@POTUS & I welcomed @UKenyatta & Mrs. Kenyatta to the @WhiteHouse today. I enjoyed my time with the First Lady of Kenya, discussing our shared concerns for children. #BeBest pic.twitter.com/opNnJjTgUc
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) August 27, 2018
Though no explanation whatsoever should be required to “explain” the clothing choices of Melania Trump during the ceremonial planting, her additional duties involving greeting and interacting with foreign dignitaries that day made her attire more than understandable.
Folks both on the Right and the Left zeroed in on the first lady’s lovely ensemble — which included pink Louboutin stilettos and a floral, belted Valentino skirt.
Predictably, some commenters found a way to slam the first lady’s clothing choices.
I think she looks beautiful
Are women really still criticizing other women on their clothing choices?
— Deplorable Straw Connoisseur (@MrBR_MrsSLR) August 28, 2018
I don't understand why America is obsessed with clothes!? What one wears is more important that what one does!?
— Shilpa (@sheefal) August 29, 2018
Michele Blood is a Flemington, New Jersey-based freelance writer and a regular contributor to LifeZette.
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