Dating back to Abigail Adams in the late 1700s (and early 1800s), America’s First Ladies have a long history of getting involved in their husbands’ administrations and touching on everything from policy to politics. But according to today’s liberal media, everything the Trump administration did was somehow unprecedented. Take Tuesday, for instance: First Lady Melania Trump got involved in the West Wing when she publicly called for the firing of Deputy National Security Advisor Mira Ricardel.
NBC Nightly News had the most ridiculous reaction to the day’s news. They were so alarmed by the First Lady’s actions that it actually preempted their reporting on the wildfires ravaging homes in California. Both ABC and CBS correctly identified the wildfires as the more important topic and began their evening news programs with it.
Anchor Lester Holt kicked off NBC’s hysterics with a hair-on-fire announcement and speculation of what was to come:
In an unheard of move by a sitting First Lady, Melania Trump tonight is publicly calling for the firing of a top White House adviser. The object of her scorn the deputy national security adviser. The First Lady's office issuing a written release today calling for her ouster. After she reportedly clashed with Mrs. Trump's staff as well as others in the West Wing. But the call to fire her may also be unmasking a deeper White House power struggle.
“Melania Trump taking the unprecedented step of publicly calling for the firing of one of her husband's top advisers, Mira Ricardel. Amid other clashes with the chief of staff, John Kelly that are so significant it could lead to Kelly’s departure,” White House correspondent Kristen Welker emoted.
When it came to the hyperventilating about the First Lady’s opinion about Ricardel, Welker noted: “Multiple sources tell NBC News, Ricardel infuriated the First Lady by interfering with her first solo overseas trip to Africa.”
NBC also spoke to former Bush administration chief of staff Andrew Card, who decried the First Lady’s management style. “You don't want the staff at the White House to be preoccupied with infighting. You want them instead doing their job to help the President make the tough decisions and implement them,” he said.
Despite the possibility of more serious shakeups at White House chief of staff and Homeland Security secretary positions, they were only a blip on ABC chief White House correspondent Jon Karl radar during World News Tonight. He spent most of his report talking about Melania Trump and the other possible shakeups only got a blurb as he was wrapping it up.
“First Lady Melania Trump, asserting herself like never before in the West Wing, today publically called for Deputy National Security Advisor Mira Ricardel to be fired,” Karl exclaimed.
Meanwhile, on CBS Evening News, they had a more sensible reaction. “New shake-ups at the White House appear close with the Homeland Security Secretary expected to leave and possibly the Chief of Staff. Also, in a rare move, the First lady is calling for another top staffer to be fired,” anchor Jeff Glor noted.
CBS correspondent Chip Reid saved the First Lady’s comments for last and offered the more subdued description of them being her “personnel recommendation.” He also didn’t use hyperbole to hype Melania’s mental state, only saying she was “unhappy” with Ricardel.
While they were pretending First Ladies didn’t get involved with the West Wing, notably active First Ladies included their 2016 choice in Hillary Clinton. Other historical examples include (but not limited too) Barbara and Laura Bush, Nancy Reagan (whose influence the networks noted when she passed away), and Eleanor Roosevelt. Of course, none of them were mentioned by the networks.
The transcripts are below, click "expand" to read:
ABC’s World News Tonight
November 13, 2018
6:35 p.m. EasternDAVID MUIR: We're going to turn next to a highly unusual move tonight. First Lady Melania Trump going public, saying a top White House official does not deserve to be working in the White House. ABC's chief White House correspondent Jonathan Karl tonight.
[Cuts to video]
JON KARL: First Lady Melania Trump, asserting herself like never before in the West Wing, today publically called for Deputy National Security Advisor Mira Ricardel to be fired. "It is the position of the office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this white house," Mrs. Trump's spokeswoman said in a statement.
That came less than an hour after Ricardel was seen smiling right over the President's shoulder at a West Wing event. White House sources tell ABC News the First Lady became irritated with Ricardel in the planning of her trip to Africa last month. Mrs. Trump felt she had treated her staff disrespectfully. On that trip, the First Lady told ABC's Tom Llamas there are some on the President's team she does not trust, and that she lets him know.
(…)
CBS Evening News
November 13, 2018
6:36 p.m. EasternJEFF GLOR: New shake-ups at the White House appear close with the Homeland Security Secretary expected to leave and possibly the Chief of Staff. Also, in a rare move, the First Lady is calling for another top staffer to be fired. Here's Chip Reid.
(…)
CHIP REID: First Lady Melania Trump made her own personnel recommendation today saying she was unhappy with the Deputy National Security Adviser Mira Ricardel, who traveled with her to Africa last month. Mrs. Trump said Ricardel, seen this afternoon standing behind the President, was involved in disagreements over seating on the plane and other logistics.
[Cuts back to live]
In a rare public rebuke, the First Lady's office in a statement tonight said, "Ricardel no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House." And Mrs. Trump shared those views directly with her husband. Even so, tonight, Ricardel still has her job here at the White House. Jeff.
GLOR: Pretty amazing to see that statement.
NBC Nightly News
November 13, 2018
7:01 p.m. EasternLESTER HOLT: Good evening, everyone. In an unheard of move by a sitting First Lady, Melania Trump tonight is publicly calling for the firing of a top White House adviser. The object of her scorn the deputy national security adviser. The First Lady's office issuing a written release today calling for her ouster. After she reportedly clashed with Mrs. Trump's staff as well as others in the West Wing. But the call to fire her may also be unmasking a deeper White House power struggle. One that could put Chief of Staff John Kelly's job in jeopardy as well. NBC’s Kristen Welker is on that story tonight.
[Cuts to video]
KRISTEN WELKER: Tonight, the First Lady flexing her muscles. Melania Trump taking the unprecedented step of publicly calling for the firing of one of her husband's top advisers, Mira Ricardel. Amid other clashes with the chief of staff, John Kelly that are so significant it could lead to Kelly’s departure. Seven people familiar with this situation tell NBC News Kelly has tangled with the First Lady's team over everything from staffing issues to travel requests.
One White House official telling NBC, “there have been instances where the East Wing staff were not treated as equals to the male dominated decision makers in chief Kelly's office.” But in a statement, the First Lady's spokesperson called the relationship with Kelly’s staff “very positive”. Melania Trump acknowledged last month the White House can be a challenging environment.
MELANIA TRUMP: We always need to watch your back.
WELKER: And late today, the First Lady blasted the deputy to National Security Adviser John Bolton. That deputy, Mira Ricardel, spotted at a White House event with the President when the First Lady spokesperson released a statement about Ricardel saying, “it is the position of the office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House.” Multiple sources tell NBC News, Ricardel infuriated the First Lady by interfering with her first solo overseas trip to Africa. White House veterans say so much discord can be damaging.
ANDREW CARD: You don't want the staff at the White House to be preoccupied with infighting. You want them instead doing their job to help the President make the tough decisions and implement them.
(…)
