Trump’s spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, gave a statement to The Associated Press Monday confirming that the first lady is looking forward to meeting African children and exploring Africa’s history and culture.
“This will be my first time traveling to Africa and I am excited to educate myself on the issues facing children throughout the continent, while also learning about its rich culture and history,” the first lady said in the statement. “We are a global society and I believe it is through open dialogue and the exchanging of ideas that we have a real opportunity to learn from one another.”
The planned trip is significant because it’s Trump’s first solo international trip as first lady, but also because of the destination: The president was sharply criticized around the world in January after his private comment about “s—hole countries” in Africa was leaked to journalists.
Some on Twitter could not resist joking. “Melania Trump just announced that she is going to Africa on her first solo trip. I think she picked Africa because she knows it’s a place Trump will never follow her to,” snarked radio host/columnist Dean Obeidallah.
Specifics about the dates for the first lady’s trip and which countries she will visit have not yet been announced.