Brian Kilmeade mistook Lara Trump for Melania Trump (Image: Getty Images)
Host Brian Kilmeade committed a significant on-air error during President Donald Trump’s visit to China.
On May 13, Fox News interrupted its scheduled programming to broadcast President Trump‘s landing at the Beijing Capital International Airport. Trump, 79, slowly descended the stairs from Air Force One and received a greeting from a military honor guard. The president’s son, Eric Trump, 42, and his wife, Lara Trump, 43, followed behind him down the stairs.
However, while covering the arrival, the Fox and Friends host seemed to have made a mistake, confusing Lara for First Lady Melania Trump, 56. This mistake occurred as the president’s wife opted not to accompany her husband on the two-day visit to China. Meanwhile, this comes as the Chinese public gave Trump a satirical nickname upon his arrival in Beijing alongside a contentious frenemy.
When the president arrived, co-host Lawrence Jones interrupted his guest from finishing his sentence, saying, “So sorry. We’re going to listen to this real quick.”
Kilmeade then made his gaffe, stating, “As the first lady comes down the stairs to greet the president, or join the president,” reports the Mirror US.
President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing for his China visit (Image: undefined)
Ainsley Earhardt quietly corrected him, though her voice remained audible on the microphone, “I think that’s Lara Trump.”
Kilmeade also spoke quietly in response, “Probably interesting for her. Should have been the first lady.”
Earhardt began to add, “I was told…” before her microphone was muted.
A viewer highlighted the mistake on social media, posting, “How can you say first lady while the figure is Lara Trump? (arrival in China).”
The South China Morning Post reported that the Office of the First Lady confirmed that Melania has chosen not to participate in the two-day trip.
“First Lady Melania Trump is not traveling this time,” a spokesperson for Melania verified to the outlet.
Lara Trump was mistaken for Melania Trump by Brian Kilmeade (Image: AP)
Clinical psychologist Dr. Tracy King told The Mirror US that Melania’s selective participation in events alongside Donald could be a tactic to “limit” her vulnerability to public criticism.
“First Lady Melania Trump is not traveling this time,” a spokesperson for Melania verified to the outlet.
First Lady Melania Trump will not be traveling to China for the two day visit (Image: AP)
King observed that through reduced public appearances, the first lady “limits how often she is exposed to public scrutiny, reduces the number of situations in which she can be pulled into the daily political circus, and means that when she does appear, the appearance carries more symbolic weight.”
Trump departed Washington, D.C. on May 12 bound for Beijing to hold talks with Xi. Beyond deliberations regarding Iran, the two heads of state are anticipated to address trade matters and artificial intelligence.
According to sources, expected talks between the pair will focus on the ongoing conflict with Iran. As the Middle Eastern nation limits transit through the Strait of Hormuz, China has been significantly affected, given its role as Iran’s largest oil purchaser.
Beijing stands to gain considerably should Iran reopen access to its key oil export corridor.
]]>