On Thursday, First Lady Michelle Obama delivered a blistering attack against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, suggesting that his misogynistic had left her “shaken to the core.” Now, the White House is doubling-down on the First Lady’s scripted self-image as a hapless and victimized woman in a preemptive defense, warning the GOP nominee against any sort of counter-attack. According to the White House, Michelle Obama can attack Trump, but Trump cannot attack her back…because it would be sexist or dishonorable or something.
“I can’t think of a bolder way for Donald Trump to lose even more standing than he already has than by engaging the First Lady of the United States,” stated principal deputy White House press secretary Eric Schultz during a meet-and-greet with the press aboard Air Force One.
Glorifying the First Lady as an untouchable monarch, Schulz is arguing here that by “engaging” Mrs. Obama, Trump would be guilty of heresy.
To date, Trump has never directly criticized Michelle Obama, despite her countless self-righteous attacks against him. Invoking the welfare of her “girls,” Mrs. Obama has leveraged her substantial clout and “likeability” within the mainstream media to her advantage.
For nearly eight years, she has been immune from criticism and shielded by a gaggle of sycophantic reporters eager to portray the Obamas as the next Jackie and John or “Camelot” couple.
At least partially attuned to the media’s machinations, Trump has refrained from striking Mrs. Obama — a rare feat for a man so keen on “counter-punching.”
“But Trump has repeatedly pulled his punches when it comes to the first lady, who has spoken out against him while campaigning for Clinton, including earlier Thursday, when she pilloried him in the wake of his comments about sexually assaulting women with impunity in an ‘Access Hollywood’ tape leaked last week,” notes Politico.
Trump hasn’t afforded the same luxury to other political wives, including former GOP rival Ted Cruz’s wife, Heidi. During the primary season, the billionaire businessman threw the kitchen sink at Heidi Cruz, implying that she was remarkably unattractive, especially compared to his supermodel wife, Melania. At the time, the media paid little attention to the litany of insults. The likely explanation for the blind-spot? Heidi Cruz is an incredibly successful, unapologetically conservative woman.
Trump hasn’t afforded the same luxury to other political wives, including former GOP rival Ted Cruz’s wife, Heidi.
However, as the Trump’s insurrection against political norms rages on, who knows if he will continue to maintain his speak-no-ill moratorium on Michelle Obama. After all, Trump doesn’t usually take kindly to demands, especially McCarthyite declarations issued by the United States White House.