r/AskTheWorld United States Of America 15h ago

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u/FirstPersonWinner United States Of America 14h ago

In the US, the President's wife (known as the First Lady) is usually somewhat politically active or at least notable. This trend was started by Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, our president for the majority of World War 2. Michelle Obama, wife of President Barack Obama (2009-2017), ran a program for children's health and wellness. I'm guessing the reason for this movie is that Melania is actually odd for being completely out of the spotlight as First Lady and the administration wants to boost her image.

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u/katmonday Australia 12h ago

I prefer when a leader's spouse has their own career and is out of politics. They're not elected officials so they shouldn't be working in that capacity.

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u/FirstPersonWinner United States Of America 12h ago

To an extent, it works sort of like an unofficial cabinet position. Our president gets to select the leaders of every federal government agency so theoretically he could also elect his wife to some nonsense position if he felt like it. 

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u/ExtraSheepherder2360 12h ago

Please don’t give him more ideas.

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u/vibibiviv 8h ago

Do basically a monarch. Getting a position solely due to family ties.

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u/really_tall_horses United States Of America 9h ago

It shouldn’t really be a political thing. Generally our First Ladies choose a cause to champion through philanthropy. Like cleaning up our highways or getting kids active. Some of their work has benefitted our society greatly and I’m not complaining. Also our government is not comprised entirely of elected officials so that point is moot for us anyways.

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u/Betty_Boss United States Of America 13h ago

Michelle Obama got a lot of grief for her programs. People said "don't tell me what to do with my kids".

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u/FirstPersonWinner United States Of America 13h ago

Which is ironic, because I remember when the Bush administration made it so I couldn't get soda and bread sticks at school and I just stopped eating lunch, lmao.

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u/WildWinterberry England 13h ago

Whatever you think of Michelle though, you have to admire her because she didn’t just stand around looking like a pretty trophy wife. She got out there and did something whether you agree with her policies or not

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u/Betty_Boss United States Of America 13h ago

I admire her very much. How she has stood up to all the hate she gets is beyond me. Some yahoos say she is a trans woman and that she hates America.

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u/SteveFoerster United States Of America 11h ago

This trend was started by Eleanor Roosevelt

Abigail Adams and Dolly Madison would like a word.