Melania plans school trip on UK visit
Melania Trump wants to visit a British school and talk to children about the dangers of cyber-bullying when she and her husband visit next month. British officials have proposed the First Lady visits a school as part of her Be Best campaign, designed to teach children to use social media in a “positive” way as well as warning of the dangers of opioid addiction. Donald Trump is due to meet the Queen at Windsor Castle and Theresa May at Chequers.
MELANIA TRUMP wants to visit a British school and talk to children about the dangers of cyber bullying when she and her husband visit next month, The Daily Telegraph has learnt.
The First Lady is considering hosting an event without the president, though attending a cultural event in London has been ruled out amid fears it could become a focal point for protesters voicing their opposition to Donald Trump. British figures involved in the planning are keen to avoid a repeat of the Hamburg G20 gathering last year, when Mrs Trump was unable to leave her hotel due to protests.
However, they have proposed the First Lady visits a school as part of her Be Best campaign, designed to teach children about “the importance of social, emotional and physical health”.
The drive, launched by Mrs Trump in May, has sought to teach children to use social media in a “positive” way as well as warning of the dangers of opioid addiction. Other possible events are under discussion. UK officials said a final decision is up to Mrs Trump’s team.
A White House delegation led by Joe Hagin, deputy chief of staff, flew to the UK this week to scope out venues and finalise plans.
Mr Hagin was one of the organisational masterminds behind Mr Trump’s summit with Kim Jong-un in Singapore and he recently announced he will soon leave the White House.
British officials see Mr Trump’s visit, which could last as long as Thursday to Sunday, July 12-15, in two sections.
The first in England will see him meet the Queen at Windsor Castle and Theresa May at Chequers.
Other elements, such as a possible event for Mrs Trump and whether Mr Trump will meet military figures, are understood to remain up in the air.
Officials have played down the likelihood of either the Duke of Cambridge or the Duke of Sussex meeting Mr Trump with their wives, though the decision is down to Buckingham Palace.
The second section will see him in Scotland, where it is thought the president could visit his golf courses there – Trump Turnberry and Trump International Golf Links Scotland.
This part of the visit is being seen as less formal, given Mr Trump often uses the time at his Mar-a-lago golf resort in Florida to relax at weekends.
Officials said they are no longer attempting to find a celebrity golf partner for Mr Trump, who has had rounds with famous golfers during other foreign visits.
The exact time of Mr Trump’s departure may be linked to his summit with Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, whom he is due to meet during his European trip.
If Mrs Trump does go ahead with a standalone event, it will be more evidence of her growing emergence as an independent political force within the White House.
In recent months she has sought to pick issues to champion as First Lady. She also played a prominent role in organising a state dinner for Emmanuel Macron, the French president.