Michelle Obama’s latest junket is a massive taxpayer-funded trip to tour China with her extended family and staff in tow. What do Americans get from the lavish semi-official vacation other than the warm feeling that the U.S. royal family is receiving international exposure? Not much, as it turns out.
The Daily Mail reports:
- The first lady is taking her mother and daughters to three Chinese cities on a ‘people-to-people exchange’ trip at taxpayer expense
- Only 2 out of 22 events on her calendar will give reporters the chance to hear her speak and do any real reporting – but without interviewing her
- No reporters are allowed to travel with the first lady on her government aircraft
- The White House is declining to say how much the week-long excursion will cost
- Mrs. Obama will appear for photo-ops and public events that are ‘pooled press’ – just one reporter or photographer noting her comings and goings
Even more disturbing is Moochelle’s statement that “It’s very rare that I have the opportunity to travel outside of the United States.”
By July 3, 2013, Michelle Obama had traveled to Britain, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Russia, Italy, Vatican, Ghana, Denmark, Norway, Haiti, Mexico, Spain, Indonesia, Brazil, Chile, El Salvadore, Ireland, Botswana, South Africa, The Bahamas, Senegal, and Tanzania — a total of 14 trips abroad by mid-2013. Seven of these trips are considered personal travel (which may have included Michelle arriving early or staying later).In 2013, American taxpayers spent $1.4 billion on “perks” for the Obamas. In contrast, the British taxpayers were hit with a mere $57.8 million to entertain their royal family.
Sources: Maggies Notebook, The Daily Mail
Photo: DonkeyHotey on Flickr
QUEEN OF THE DAMNED,NASTY WHAT EVER IT IS
Every single First Lady has had the opportunity to travel at our expense and always took advantage of doing so! Every First Lady! Now that this beautiful “First Black Lady” takes the same advantage that others before her did; You people totally amaze us! Shows your true colors!!
This has nothing to do with race and everything to do with people being fed up with the Obama’s wasteful spending.
Jack is right at least wrt to Laura Bush http://www.ntu.org/governmentbytes/7-9-13-first-lady-international-flights-vacations.html
Lock the door behind her!
I guess lying runs in the family.
Some stones are hard to pick up and cast, ar’nt they!!
Take a look in the minor, they are both the same.
She should get Obummer to take her to HIS home land, one way!!
no surprise here. Obama’s love to travel and show their girls the world on taxpayer’s money. Did you notice there is no media allowed but she took 70 staffers with her. I wonder how many more trips they will take before he is finally out of office.
Obama just took 900 staffers,3 airplanes, and 45 cars for a one day trip.Taxpayer’s are paying for that too. When is enougjh enough?