FIRST LADY’S SECRECY ON HEALTH BROKEN BY HUSBAND
>> WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump revealed new details on Friday about the closely guarded medical condition of Melania Trump, the first lady, saying that she underwent a four-hour operation and that her recovery would keep her from traveling abroad with him.
In the weeks since aides said she underwent an procedure to treat a benign kidney condition, Melania Trump has directed her East Wing aides to release almost no information about her medical condition or explain why she was at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre for five days.
Until Donald Trump stepped in front of the cameras as he departed on an international trip on Friday, there had been no leaks.
The president said that Melania Trump “wanted to go” with him to the Group of 7 summit meeting in Quebec, and then on to Singapore for a planned sit-down with Kim Jong-un, North Korea’s leader. But, the president said, she was staying at the White House on doctor’s orders.
“She had a big operation,” Mr Trump said. “That was a close to a four-hour operation. And she’s doing great.”
Few details have emerged from the first lady’s office.
On May 14, the East Wing said Melania Trump underwent an embolization procedure, which is meant to cut off the blood supply that feeds the kidney. It is usually used to stop bleeding from a benign tumour or a small aneurysm, or to reverse the growth of such a tumour, according to specialists.
In the past, the stylish, Slovenia-born first lady has been an asset to her husband on the world stage, and has at times softened the image of a president who tends to use blunt force in his diplomatic efforts.
As he arrived in Canada for the Group of 7 summit meeting, Donald Trump stood alone among other leaders and their spouses. After greeting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada and his wife, Sophie, Mr Trump stood solo and gave a thumbs-up to journalists.