TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP FAMILY/MELANIA: “Donald Trump’s administration has already made it a habit to break with tradition. The president didn’t wave upon boarding Air Force One for the first time. His team fired the 60-year voice of the Inauguration Day parade.
Now, Melania Trump’s role as first lady is starting to chart its own course. It’s already been reported that the former Slovenian model will not be living in the White House, at least while her and the president’s 10-year-old son Barron finishes school.
But recently the first lady broke another tradition during a visit from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie Abe.
Traditionally, it’s the role of the first lady to accompany spouses from foreign nations when they visit the United States. But on Friday first lady Abe was flying solo as she toured Washington.
While Mrs. Trump was on hand to meet the Japanese first lady early in the morning, she was not present for the two pre-scheduled stops later in the day at the Japanese first lady visited Gallaudet University and the National Cherry Blossom Festival committee meeting at the Japanese embassy.”
– William Steakin, “Where was Melania Trump? First lady breaks with tradition while White House hosts Japanese prime minister and wife,” Aol.com, Feb. 11, 2017