As President Donald Trump spoke about Second Lady Usha Vance‘s upcoming visit to Greenland prompted by a question from a reporter after the Cabinet meeting Monday, Trump appeared to have forgotten Usha Vance’s name completely and referred to Usha Vance and the wife of Vice President. Trump seemed to be struggling between ‘Second Lady’ and the wife of the Vice President and then navigated the crisis by calling her a great lady.
“Greenland is confused about the second lady and the national security advisor visiting this week,” a reporter asked the president. “They’re concerned that this is further provocation, whatever it is you ultimately want for Greenland. Could you further explain why they’re going, what is the ultimate end goal when it comes to Greenland?”
Trump said it is not provocation but friendliness. “And we were invited over there and I thought it would be a great, I have great respect for the wife of our first …of our great vice president.”
“I think she’s doing a, she’s a brilliant woman,” he added. “She’s a very nice woman, and she loves the concept of Greenland.”
“And so she’s going there, and I think Marco is going there, and some others are going there,” Trump said.
Usha Vance’s visit to Greenland, which Donald Trump has been eyeing to take over, is being touted as a cultural visit but Greenland politicians have condemned the plan and claimed that no one invited either Usha or Mike Waltz. Outgoing Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede said the visit plan is aggressive, and said the duo had not been invited for meetings. The island’s likely next leader accused the US of showing a lack of respect.
Before Donald Trump’s inauguration in January, his son Donald Trump Jr made a visit to Greenland, which was equally derided by the island country.
The White House said the second lady would visit historical sites and attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenland’s national dogsled race. Her delegation – including her son – would be there to “celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity”, the statement said.
Mike Waltz is expected to visit before Usha Vance and will travel with Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
