Melania Trump opts not to gift Jill Biden on inauguration day after awkward Michelle Obama moment in 2017
WASHINGTON, DC: Melania Trump did not arrive bearing a gift for the outgoing first couple Joe and Jill Biden when she accompanied President Donald Trump to the White House for tea ahead of his inauguration on January 20, reported the Daily Mail.
Back in 2017, when Trump was sworn into the White House for his first term as POTUS, Melania made headlines by gifting the then-outgoing first lady Michelle Obama a blue box from Tiffany & Co.
However, the awkward scene that took place on the steps of the White House at the time likely discouraged her from repeating the effort.
What did Melania Trump gift Michelle Obama?
Appearing on the now-canceled 'Ellen DeGeneres Show' in 2018, Michelle revealed that the gift box she received from Melania on the day of Trump's first presidential inauguration contained "a lovely frame."
"Well, there's all this protocol. I mean, this is like a state visit, so they tell you that you're going to do this, they're going to stand here," she went on to explain her seemingly awkward response at the time. "Never before do you get this gift, so I'm sort of like okay."
According to the Daily Mail, Michelle was surprised by Melania's gesture in 2017, exclaiming, "You brought a gift!"
As she struggled to figure out where to put it, her husband and then-outgoing President Barack Obama swooped in and took the box from her.
"I'll take care of the protocol here," he told them.
On January 20, Melania did not show a similar gesture of affection toward Jill Biden. However, it is unclear if she gifted her something behind the scenes.
Internet backs Melania Trump for not bringing a gift for outgoing first couple
Netizens, especially conservatives, praised Melania on the social media platform X for not carrying a gift for Jill Biden during her arrival at the White House for a second term as the first lady. The following tweets demonstrate their takes.
"Why be nice to people who h*te you?" wrote a user.
"Whatever her reaction, she is due her response after being treated like high school girls by Jill & Michael. Melania is a much more classic First Lady!" claimed another.
Whatever her reaction,
— Denise Hofstadter (@DeniseHofstadt1) January 20, 2025
she is due her response after being treated like high school girls by Jill & Michael. Melania is a much more classic First Lady!
"Good for our First Lady. She has learned a lot as well and she is treating these people the way they deserve," shared a third.
Good for our First Lady. She has learned a lot as well and she is treating these people the way they deserve. I’m so proud of her!! She is a National Treasure!!!
— Melissa Joiner (@Melissaancrew) January 20, 2025
"Her presence in that epic hat was the gift," quipped a fourth.
"Good for her. Truly principled," noted a fifth.
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online
