Traveling Trump, minor issues

[ by Charles Cameron — media keeps wildly guessing re matters of protocol ]

.

For example..

Trump flashed me a thumbs up as he rode the gold escalator up to his first overseas adventure. pic.twitter.com/PZCmb3JCC4

— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) May 20, 2017

According to guidance for Saudi provided to WH press corps: "The thumbs up gesture is considered rude." https://t.co/ybWcrBTCup

— Carol Lee (@carolelee) May 20, 2017

**

Ah, well, no one can say Trump is not sensitive:

Many people are saying it was wonderful that Mrs. Obama refused to wear a scarf in Saudi Arabia, but they were insulted.We have enuf enemies

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2015

Oops:

Melania is not wearing any veil. pic.twitter.com/25QwgPgAHC

— Eddie Du (@Edourdoo) May 20, 2017

And then again:

@akhbar Pffff. Hardly any Western female personality wears a scarf during visit to Saudi Arabia. May, Merkel, Michelle. Such a non-story. @akhbar pic.twitter.com/IghtzMCGO7

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) May 20, 2017

@AP Michelle Obama, Laura Bush,Hilary Clinton,Angela Merkel,Condi Rice are just a short list of powerful women who DID NOT wear a head scarf!

— Jane (@txgforever) May 20, 2017

**

Oops again:

If this were Obama, conservative headlines would read: @POTUS BOWS TO SAUDI KING!!! #maga #trumptrain #Deplorable pic.twitter.com/VpBU7Cpzr1

— Bryan W. Van Norden (@BryanVanNorden) May 20, 2017

Nope, he was bending to receive a medal around his neck.

So far so good — nobody seems to know what’s what, but ni disasters have been spotted. . The first major test is yet to come. As the Washington Post puts it, Trump campaigned against Muslims, but will preach tolerance in Saudi speech.

That will be quite a trick — but not impossible if his speech writer has been reading Will McCants.

And I suspect Melania is the President’s trump card in all this..

**

Oh, and now this, for good measure:

Not true at all that the thumbs-up is rude in the Middle East. Banning Muslims and saying "Islam hates us" is a different story. https://t.co/USB7PPN6Mh

— DavidKenner (@DavidKenner) May 20, 2017

I’m reminded of roulette..