December 3, 2024
17:33 EST |
FLOTUS Pool Report #1 | Departure from White House and arrival at JBA
FLOTUS's motorcade departed the White House at 4:25 PM. The pool did not see FLOTUS enter her vehicle.
The motorcade arrived at Joint Base Andrews at 5:05 PM. FLOTUS was spotted walking onto the plane in a long black dress. Wheels up en route to Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella in Catania, Italy, at 5:31 PM.
A programming note: I'll be the only reporter traveling with FLOTUS for the duration of her six-day trip to Europe and the Middle East. Please reach out with any questions or clarifications you may need along the way.
Reportable background from the Office of the First Lady
From Tuesday, December 3rd to Sunday, December 8th, First Lady Jill Biden will travel to Italy, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and France. During her travel, the First Lady will speak at the Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit in Abu Dhabi, UAE and the Doha Forum in Doha, Qatar, and will participate in a series of cultural events and bilateral engagements to strengthen the United States' partnerships and advance our shared priorities in the region.
This evening, the First Lady will travel to Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella in Catania, Italy.
The following will be traveling with the First Lady:
- Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the First Lady
- Mala Adiga, Deputy Assistant to the President & Director of Policy & Projects for the First Lady
- Dr. Carolyn Mazure, Chair of the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research
- Vanessa Valdivia, Special Assistant to the President & Press Secretary for the First Lady
- Mary Robbins, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Presidential Speechwriter for the First Lady
- Marty Browne, Director of Advance and Trip Director for the First Lady
- Sharon Weber, Deputy Chief of Protocol of the United States
- Ashley Biden, Daughter of the President and the First Lady
- Ghada Irani, Chair, UNICEF USA National Board of Directors
Dr. Biden's Previous Travel to Italy
- October - November 2021: The President and the First Lady traveled to the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rome, Italy. During the travel, the First Lady participated in the G20 spousal program, where she demonstrated America's commitment to our global partnerships. Dr. Biden also traveled to the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples Support Site to visit a school, as part of her Joining Forces initiative to support military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors.
Dr. Biden's Previous Travel to the UAE
- March 2016: As Second Lady, then-Vice President Biden and Dr. Biden traveled to Abu Dhabi, UAE. Dr. Biden participated in a series of engagements to promote gender empowerment, discuss the importance of educational opportunities in the UAE, and express appreciation for U.S. service members stationed in the UAE. During the visit, Dr. Biden visited the General Women's Union, chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak; toured New York University Abu Dhabi's (NYAD) Engineering Design Studio and met with students and program administrators from NYUAD's Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholars Program; and alongside then-Vice President Biden, met with more than 1,000 service members assigned to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing.
Dr. Biden's Previous Travel to France
- July 2024: The First Lady led the U.S. Presidential Delegation to the Opening of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. The First Lady attended the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games and cheered on Team USA at various events. During the visit, the First Lady also highlighted the work of the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research.
- June 2024: The President and First Lady traveled to France for a State Visit, hosted by President Macron and Mrs. Macron, where they also participated in a series of engagements to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy.
- July 2023: The First Lady traveled to France to celebrate the U.S. re-joining the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). During the trip, the First Lady and Mrs. Macron participated in a wreath laying ceremony at Brittany American Cemetery and visited Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey to demonstrate the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
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