First Lady Dr. Jill Biden embarked this week on a trip to Africa to “support democracies around the world,” but she is reportedly keeping the press at bay.
Traveling reporters were asked to leave an event Thursday and held in a van while she did an interview with CNN, according to Simon Ateba, Today News Africa’s chief White House correspondent.
“Journalists who traveled to #Namibia with First Lady @DrBiden were surprised moments ago that they were asked to leave the site of an event and were held in the van while Jill Biden did a private interview with @CNN,” Ateba tweeted.
“She’s in Africa on a two-nation, six-day trip that will take her from Namibia to Kenya. The White House says she’s there to strengthen US-Africa ties.”
The Associated Press wrote a glowing story about Mrs. Biden handing out M&Ms to African children in Namibia.
Jill Biden’s visit to Namibia was a big hit with scores of giddy children who crowded around her Thursday as she handed out boxes of White House M&Ms after visiting an organization that gets U.S. support for programs that teach young adults about HIV/AIDS and gender-based violence.
“Candy from the White House,” Biden announced as she stepped out of her black SUV and approached the children, who had been waiting along the roadside.
Biden quickly ran out of candy, and then another boy stepped forward. As he sadly turned away, Biden called out “Wait!,” and gave him the presidential tote bag that had contained the candy.
Her husband, President Joe Biden, was criticized for going to Ukraine before visiting the citizens of East Palestine, Ohio.
“Talk about being America last,” Charles R Downs wrote on Twitter.