First lady Melania Trump was greeted by demonstrators holding sings referencing her husband’s past remarks upon landing in Malawi on Thursday morning.
The Associated Press reported that among the demonstrators, who were white, one woman held a sign reading “#MELANIATOO,” with the “ME” written in black, bold letters. Another couple held up a sign that read, “Welcome to Malawi. #NOTASHITHOLE!” according to the outlet, a reference to President Trump’s remarks earlier this year in which he reportedly referred to immigrants from Haiti and African countries as coming from “shithole countries.”
{mosads}Another sign read “69 Days Past the Deadline to Reunite Families,” the AP reported, apparently referring to the Trump administration’s controversial zero tolerance immigration policy, which led to the separations of thousands of families earlier this year.
The sign-holders were among scores of children and women who traveled to Kamuzu International Airport to greet the first lady.
Melania Trump’s trip to Malawi marked the second stop of her four-nation tour of Africa, part of her first major solo international trip as first lady.
In Malawi, Melania Trump reportedly toured outdoor classrooms at Chipala Primary School in Lilongwe, which receives education assistance from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
“I wanted to be here to see the successful programs that [the] United States is providing the children and thank you for everything you’ve done,” she as the U.S. ambassador gave over 1.4 million books paid for through a national reading program funded by the U.S.
“Meeting those children and understanding their different way of life is why I wanted to travel here,” Melania Trump later said during her visit. “I was heartened to spend time with the students and was honored to donate school supplies and soccer balls.” The soccer balls as well as tote bags donated for the teachers bore the logo of “Be Best,” the child well-being initiative she launched earlier this year and is promoting on the trip.
Earlier this week, the first lady visited a former slave holding facility in Ghana.