Michelle Obama’s African Getaway Costs Taxpayers $500,000

In January 2009, before the president signed his failed $787 billion stimulus bill into law, Barack Obama lectured America saying,

“Everyone must sacrifice for the greater good… Everyone must have some skin in the game.”

Everyone but Barack and Michelle Obama.

Michelle Obama’s African excursion cost taxpayers more than $500,000.
She took the whole family.

U.S. first lady Michelle Obama and her family are welcomed by traditional dancers in Gaborone, Botswana, Friday, June 24, 2011. Pictured from left to right: mother Marian Robinson; Assistant Minister of Finance and Development Planning Gloria Somolekae; first lady Michelle Obama, nephew Avery Robinson, daughter Sasha Obama; niece Leslie Robinson; daughter Malia Obama. (AP/Charles Dharapak)

White House Dossier reported:

First Lady Michelle Obama’s trip to South Africa and Botswana last week cost taxpayers well over half a million dollars, possibly in the range of $700,000 or $800,000, according to an analysis by White House Dossier.

Many of the trip’s expenses cannot be obtained with specificity, including the cost of local transportation for the first lady, Secret Service protection, the care and feeding of staffers, and pre-trip advance work done by administration officials in South Africa.

But it is possible to estimate some of these costs and put a price tag on one of the major expenses – her transportation to and from southern Africa and her trips between cities there.

While the goals of her journey – “youth leadership, education, health and wellness” in southern Africa, according to the White House – are laudable, many may question whether such an expensive outreach overseas by the president’s wife is worthwhile given the threat of the ballooning federal debt to the economy.

#1 June 27, 2011 at 4:57 pm
FurryGuyJeans commented:

Moochelle deserves a break. Lecturing Americans with “do as I say, not as I do” is hard work, just as playing golf makes Barry tired and unable to perform his Constitutional duties.
#2 June 27, 2011 at 5:03 pm
Chisum commented:

Check out these pictures of MememeShelle on safari. I think I see where she got her sour puss from.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2008079/Michelle-Obama-daughters-looking-lions-safari-open-air-vehicle.html
#3 June 27, 2011 at 5:09 pm
moron commented:

Go easy on the Obama’s. they have checked the tire pressures on the 62% increase in number of limos! It was so successful that even Hillary’s crew has limos! And look at all the Chevy Volts they have upgraded to for their personal transportation needs. Probably they have checked the tire pressures on Air Force One! And look at Al Gore, father of four, recommending only one or max two children to save the planet! And put your thermostat on 80 degrees in the summer, look what it did to Al’s energy footprint! Only 5 times the average for a low life residing in flyover country! Energy? Simply release fuel from the strategic petroleum reserve!! No need for those foolish imbeciles calling for drill here drill now. These Harvard guys are brilliant.
#4 June 27, 2011 at 5:09 pm
Truth Teller commented:

Looks like his daughter is getting the same monster thighs as his wife.
#5 June 27, 2011 at 5:09 pm
Fed Up Citizen commented:

Moochelle at her best, mooching off taxpayer money and she’s still asking for more money to fund her family trips using food education as a front.

Easy on those french fries, ma’am. We know it’s quite a long way from the nearest McDonald’s.
#6 June 27, 2011 at 5:21 pm
FurryGuyJeans commented:

Remember the days when spending half a million dollars on a trip was considered excessive, even for a political junket?
#7 June 27, 2011 at 5:22 pm
Sheila commented:

In those photos (per Chisum’s link) the Wookie finally doesn’t look so out of place.
#8 June 27, 2011 at 5:25 pm
vityas commented:

And worth every penny if she stays there.
#9 June 27, 2011 at 5:25 pm
#1AMERICAN commented:

@#2…funny in those pics how the driver is a token white dude….

worst first family EVER…ZERO CLASS what so ever….start counting the days to get rid of these frauds
#10 June 27, 2011 at 5:26 pm
FurryGuyJeans commented:

A ballooning federal deficit is only of concern when an (R) occupies the WH.
#11 June 27, 2011 at 5:29 pm
ar05075 commented:

$500,000 a day maybe, perhaps they’re refering only to the cost of meals?
#12 June 27, 2011 at 5:33 pm
Ginger commented:

Chisum

You are so right! The oldest daughter always has a sour puss look on her face! Little one is so cute she usually always smiles. Have you noticed they all are wearing long sleeves except the white guy? Is it cold there?
#13 June 27, 2011 at 5:39 pm
chicago commented:

that’s how affirmative action works doesn’t it? they are entitled to the luxuries and the rest gets the misery. lobster at the waldorf anyone?

my kids hate it every time the poser flotus appears on those disney channel “healthy eating” public service skits….they know full well that she’s a phony.
#14 June 27, 2011 at 5:41 pm
Espresso Logic - The 6th Sense commented:

Mr. and Mrs. Obunghole are black white-trash.
#15 June 27, 2011 at 5:42 pm
donh commented:

Sasha looks like a purple giraffe in those spotted pants. Got to be careful with those native dancers. If that was the Yoahnanan circumsicion dance, that little niece Leslie could now be promised away in marriage to that male dancer on his knees. … http://youtu.be/vEm0_P9BuyE
#16 June 27, 2011 at 5:49 pm
SM-AZ commented:

This is what those left wing loons voted in! And, today on Rasmussen—-49% approve! God help us. 49% !!!!!!!!! What possibly could they approve of?
#17 June 27, 2011 at 5:51 pm
Richard commented:

Half a million here, half a million there. Pretty soon, your talking about real money.
#18 June 27, 2011 at 5:56 pm
T. Thompson commented:

This dumbass admin tripled the deficit in 1 year-let the handle lowering the deficit. If any of my party votes to raise the debt ceiling NONE in office will never receive a vote from me again, I’ll do “present”. Reducing the defense dept budget is a big NO, except for the crazy idea someone had on the millions of $ spent on new hats, uniforms that have now been declared not useful, duh-whose idea was that anyway-ask for a refund
#19 June 27, 2011 at 6:00 pm
Ginger commented:

SM-AZ

I think the polls are rigged by the liberal polls, rigged by threats from the white house and most of all I think a lot of people are to scared to tell the truth how they feel and will tell the truth in the poll booth! That kenyan fraud has effected so many peoples lives with his dictator ruling and taking away jobs on purpose! ETC!
#20 June 27, 2011 at 6:02 pm
ohio commented:

Just your average entitled, pampered, wealthy, malcontent, racist, hypocritical, phony that was never proud of the USA until she became queen
#21 June 27, 2011 at 6:13 pm
NeoKong commented:

Maybe she can drop in on Obama’s brother George while she is in Africa.
Is he still living in that shanty town shack….?
#22 June 27, 2011 at 6:18 pm
wanumba commented:

Sooo. What’s the US taxpayer getting in value added from these family outings on our dime? Michelle is NOT an elected official and going to the game park with her relatives doesn’t qualify as international relations building, neither does pushups with Tutu, a guy who’s anti-apartheid, but AWOL for actual slavery. HOW could that be morally possible?

junket.
If SHE pays for it, no problemo. None at all.
#23 June 27, 2011 at 6:21 pm
wanumba commented:

The first photos out ONLY showed Michelle and the dancer. Sure enough, as these photos of the same event show her family pod was with her.
#24 June 27, 2011 at 6:23 pm
big L commented:

Obama could be filmed handing the launc codes to the Hamaniks and he’d still get re-elected.
Remember Flo Hyams? Rail-thin,bean-pole, taller than normal, dead? Marfan’s syndrome.
Nuff said.
#25 June 27, 2011 at 6:25 pm
who me? commented:

I absolutely despise those people….
#26 June 27, 2011 at 6:32 pm
Mikey commented:

Living large and in charge while the rest of us struggle daily to just make ends meet. I’d like to know when America became a monarchy. Oh and The One said today that what the Republicans want to do with the debt is “IMMORAL”. Please God save us. I fear 2012 will be TOO LATE. If Boehner and the Republicans blink on the debt ceiling, this country is toast. Believe it.
#27 June 27, 2011 at 6:36 pm
xiphos commented:

“The goals of her journey”? ……………….. a free ride at our expense and hoping for 4 more years of unacountability.
#28 June 27, 2011 at 6:37 pm
wanumba commented:

And the media will not elaborate on Michelle’s “international youth agenda” project.
#29 June 27, 2011 at 6:38 pm
daryl commented:

The obama’s marriage won’t last a year after he’s out of office. He won’t be able to
support her lavish lifestyle(acquired at taxpayers expence over the last four years).
#30 June 27, 2011 at 6:42 pm
wanumba commented:

“While the goals of her journey – “youth leadership, education, health and wellness” in southern Africa, according to the White House – are laudable, many may question whether such an expensive outreach overseas by the president’s wife is worthwhile ..”

Remember Obama defunded Bush’s HIV/AIDS and malaria initiative to Africa. Those billions in $$$ saved LIVES in AFrica. Chopchop… now the Democrats arrive with talktalktalkposepose.

There is NOTHING ‘laudable’ about talking about “wellness” while youth are dying of malaria.
#31 June 27, 2011 at 6:48 pm
daryl commented:

The U.S. is suffering fire, wind, and flood while le moosechelle does Botswana on safari (and chows down on french fries and bush meat sausage).
She must have bagged a wildebeeste from the looks of those sausages. Take that and eat your heart out Sarah Palin.
#32 June 27, 2011 at 7:02 pm
Chisum commented:

Ginger,

Check out Michelle’s mother. She is always frowning.
#33 June 27, 2011 at 7:04 pm
sablegsd commented:

I. Hate. Them.

The fugly beard and the purple lipped, jug eared beardee.
#34 June 27, 2011 at 7:17 pm
Joanne commented:

It is bad behaviour – Michelle Obama is a narcissist. The U.S. is tanking, and she is off blowing half a million….for what? Sickening.
#35 June 27, 2011 at 7:23 pm
Beachluver commented:

No wonder this skank wants 4 more years…..hasn’t sucked off the American teat enough!!!!!Eat more of those “fries MOOCHELLE…..no shame…that huge entourage trekking over there…I wish she had stayed. Her and the old man are headed for the MOST HATED couple in AMERICA!!!
#36 June 27, 2011 at 7:30 pm
ss252 commented:

It is simply unbelievable? Isnt It? Am I missing something?

These idiots cant see that this will be the wrongest of perceptions?

I cant believe how arrogant and entitled they are, It would be nice hearing a lamestream outlet report this huh?
#37 June 27, 2011 at 7:45 pm
chicago commented:

the US version of Imelda Marcos! LOL!
#38 June 27, 2011 at 7:52 pm
RKflorida commented:

That’s gonna be about $50,000 a day. Less if she stays longer as the transportation costs will amortize to less. So what would it cost us say at $30,000 a day to keep her there until Jan 20, 2013? Whatever it is, it’s probably worth it.
#39 June 27, 2011 at 8:05 pm
kato commented:

But at least she got a dance lesson.

And yes, Mooch, that red outfit does make you look fat.
#40 June 27, 2011 at 8:31 pm
Ginger commented:

Chisum….Mabe mommy dearest may be having trouble getting her voodoo to working because she is so home sick. hehe

Any one else having to fill in their name and email each time you post?
#41 June 27, 2011 at 8:34 pm
Ginger commented:

So why is all of the Soetoros wearing long sleeves and pants and the dancers are half necked?
#42 June 27, 2011 at 9:28 pm
wanumba commented:

Ginger,
Check the weather. Cape Town is ranging 48-60 degrees this week with chance of rain.
Chilly enough. Dancers work up a sweat so it’s okay for them until they stop moving.
It IS quite down under the equator and next stop south is Antarctica.
#43 June 27, 2011 at 9:35 pm
CrawfishsClaw commented:

Since the First Grifter…er, First Lady has exactly ZERO Constitutional duties, and an Embassy spokesperson said it was a personal pilgrimage for her, she should pay back the Treasury from her big, fat (no, not her backside) bank account.
#44 June 27, 2011 at 9:39 pm
Molon Labe commented:

I don’t believe it. How many serfs followed her about? How many vehicles? How many aircraft?

I bet they spent more than double this.
#45 June 27, 2011 at 11:02 pm
Rock commented:

Please tell me that’s not WTF bowing again. Oh forget it he’s still here playing king or whatever.
#46 June 27, 2011 at 11:13 pm
Francesca commented:

They all look so unhappy or disgruntled most of the time. Maybe, it has to do with the giant chips they are carrying around on their shoulders.
#47 June 28, 2011 at 3:27 am
Andreas K. commented:

It’s interesting that she went on that trip alone, without husband. So much for supporting the hubby, eh?

She’s a twat.
#48 June 28, 2011 at 5:34 am
Ohio Granny commented:

I read that it was considered an outrage and insult that the President of South Africa didn’t rush out to the tarmac to meet with Michelle, her mother, and her daughters. Tsk tsk. They were supposed to hold a State dinner like they did in Mexico. Will America ever recover from this snub??
#49 June 28, 2011 at 8:54 am
S. Wolf commented:

At least her mother stocked up on voodoo supplies..