Despite issuing a scathing statement of disapproval and effectively ousting Mira Ricardel — a deputy national security adviser — first lady Melania Trump never met her, but was in talks with Chief of Staff John Kelly about her departure for some time, The Washington Post reported.
According to two people familiar with both parties who spoke to the Post, the first lady saw Ricardel as a “toxic influence” in the West Wing — in the Post’s words — and she even spoke with her husband about Ricardel’s behavior during her trip to Africa last month. Trump also gave aides permission to spread whispers about Ricardel’s overstepping, several people familiar with the matter told the Post.
Trump was convinced that Ricardel was spreading false information about her office and planting negative stories in the media about her stay in Egypt. The first lady’s office made several requests to National Security Adviser John Bolton to get rid of the aide, but Bolton refused, according to the Post.
Trump took matters into her own hands this week by releasing a public statement calling for Ricardel’s ouster. By Wednesday evening, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Ricardel had been assigned to a different position within the administration.
While Kelly supported efforts to remove the national security aide from the White House, he reportedly thought her departure was not handled well.
This makes about as much sense as, well, anything else that goes on in the White(s Only) House.
First Lady of Deplorables = #FLOD
Never met her. Taking cues from her deplorable husband’s playbook.
Whatever doubt she was benefiting from is long gone now. Mel, you went to Egypt and spent most of your time posing in ridiculous jokey outfits to show off your newly plastic-surgeried “kidney.” Ricardel didn’t make you do that. She might be a jerk her own self, but with this episode you’re done, and we know why, out of all the old rich men you could have married, you chose the most repellent, shallow, mentally ill and hateful one in the world.
In addition to the Russians having Trump over a barrel, you have Melania, who could file for divorce at any time, unless she gets her way. We’re in great shape.