Melania Trump to attend Barbara Bush's funeral
Source: The Hill
BY LUIS SANCHEZ - 04/18/18 10:50 AM EDT
First lady Melania Trump will attend the funeral of Barbara Bush, who died on Tuesday at the age of 92.
"Mrs. Trump intends to pay her respects to Barbara Bush and the entire family at the funeral on Saturday," the first lady's communications director Stephanie Grisham confirmed to The Hill on Wednesday.
-snip-
Trump will follow in the tradition of other first ladies paying their respects to their counterparts. Former first lady Michelle Obama attended Nancy Reagans funeral in 2016, and Hillary Clinton attended the funeral of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in 1994. Bush's funeral will be held at St. Martins Church in Houston, Texas, on Saturday, and, according to CNN, will be a simple service.
The burial will be private but the public will be able to pay their respects at the church during visitation to the former first ladys repose on Friday, CNN reported.
Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/383714-melania-trump-to-attend-barbara-bushs-funeral
hlthe2b
(102,285 posts)Quite frankly, I'd bet someone from within the Bush circle advised him that he might not be welcome.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,721 posts)But considering how the Bush family apparently felt about Trump, he probably would be the skunk at the picnic anyhow.
hlthe2b
(102,285 posts)but that doesn't mean a subtle signal could not have been relayed via his staff.
Given the animosity Barbara and the entire family have toward Trump, I'd be shocked if someone did not send a message.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,721 posts)not necessarily the president. It would be a bit of an insult if Melania didn't attend but I don't think Spanky would be particularly welcome.
hlthe2b
(102,285 posts)I have no doubt they would graciously welcome her.
That said, I'm certain both Bill and Barack will attend with their first lady wives. I don't think it is a given that only the first ladies attend. Probably the Carters too if they are healthy enough and able.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,721 posts)President George W. Bush did not attend the funeral for Lady Bird Johnson, who passed away in 2007. First lady Laura Bush did attend, as did former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, and former first ladies Rosalynn Carter, Barbara Bush, Hillary Clinton and Nancy Reagan. The service was held at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library in Austin, Texas.
Clinton did not ... attend the funeral of former first lady Pat Nixon, according to the Los Angeles Times. That funeral was held in Yorba Linda, California, on June 26, 1993 the same day that Clinton ordered an attack on Iraq in retaliation for an assassination attempt on President George H.W. Bush. The president was represented at the funeral by Vernon E. Jordan Jr., the chair of Clintons transition team, the Times said.
President Ronald Reagan did not attend former first lady Bess Trumans funeral in 1982, according to the Washington Post. First lady Nancy Reagan did attend, along with former first ladies Rosalynn Carter and Betty Ford.
https://www.factcheck.org/2016/03/obamas-funeral-attendance/
hlthe2b
(102,285 posts)louis c
(8,652 posts)hlthe2b
(102,285 posts)might be a different matter.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,721 posts)just for the attention. I think presidents do normally attend the funerals of ex-presidents. Usually those are state funerals so it would be strange if they didn't.
keithbvadu2
(36,819 posts)Dubya would greet Donald warmly for rescuing him from 'worst prez ever' title.
Jebbie... not so much.
politicaljunkie41910
(3,335 posts)As the current president, you have a larger secret service detail than former presidents. Thus I would think a current president would probably not want to be the focus of the event and take that focus off the deceased and the deceased family. So it wouldn't surprise me not to see Trump who'd probably rather be playing golf; but I think Clinton, Obama, and Carter will probably show up out of respect for the family, including two former Presidents, regardless of past events and who did or did not attend.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,721 posts)cuz that's how he rolls.
MosheFeingold
(3,051 posts)Especially JEB!
It's very reasonable to for the Orange Won not to be there.
louis c
(8,652 posts)Melania: I'm so sorry for your loss, Mr. President.
GWB: Thank you for coming, Madam First Lady.
Melania: Gen. Kelly thought I would be the appropriate person to pass along our condolences. After all, I have the most in common with the Bush family. You think my husband is an asshole, and so do I.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,721 posts)dalton99a
(81,513 posts)The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,721 posts)The Pope seems to be contemplating the need for an exorcism. Melania is practicing her sad face and trying out her funeral clothes for when Spanky meets his maker and she has to pretend to be mourning.
jimmy2.0
(13 posts)looks like she was dressed by Tim Burton.
joanbarnes
(1,722 posts)Bleacher Creature
(11,257 posts)41 and 43 have grown extremely close over the years. I think the families have even vacationed together.
As someone who remembers the 1992 election vividly, and full of insults going both ways, I find that relationship extraordinary.
joanbarnes
(1,722 posts)truthisfreedom
(23,148 posts)When youre a total asshole and unwelcome anywhere, you take any rock you can hide behind.
Maxheader
(4,373 posts)a fav of all rightwingers. A far as I'm concerned, the shrubs have more
blood on their hands than dementia boy. Course, it has time to instigate
a conflict somewhere..murder some innocents like the cocaine cowboy
did.
Bengus81
(6,931 posts)patricia92243
(12,597 posts)onenote
(42,714 posts)funerals.
A sitting president attending a former first lady's funeral is the exception, not the rule.
Amimnoch
(4,558 posts)After all the bullshit articles, interviews, and pontificating by right wing "news" entertainment sources did to President Obama when he didn't attend Nancy Reagan's funeral.
They called him every name in the book for doing what sitting presidents historically have done.
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)brooklynite
(94,588 posts)CatMor
(6,212 posts)but I have a real hard time calling Melania First Lady and can't wait until she's out of the White House.
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)Wonder what she'll wear?
dameatball
(7,398 posts)saidsimplesimon
(7,888 posts)accidentally been given the "Alice in Wonderland" pill without my knowledge. Making political points on the death of a former first lady? Every time I think we are ready to flush the toilet, we get another bowl movement.
Cold War Spook
(1,279 posts)How about a little respect for her.
xxqqqzme
(14,887 posts)disrespect in CNN's reporting.
If I'm remembering correctly Barbara Bush was quite open about not voting for king con.
Cold War Spook
(1,279 posts)Many of the people posting.
Neema
(1,151 posts)agueybana79
(56 posts)No thank you...