Melania Trump fed elephants, visited with orphans and wore a hat reminiscent of colonialism on the fourth day of her African tour

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Melania Trump fed elephants, visited with orphans and wore a hat reminiscent of colonialism on the fourth day of her African tour

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  • On the fourth day of her African tour, first lady Melania Trump bottle-fed elephant calves, went on a safari, visited an orphanage, and had tea with Kenya's first lady. 
  • She received some criticism on Twitter for wearing riding boots and a pith helmet that evoked the colonial era of Africa's history. 
  • Video also showed a Secret Service agent running to her aid when a baby elephant started charging toward her. 

First lady Melania Trump had a dramatic fourth day on her African tour. 

She touched down in Kenya on Thursday night for the third stop of her six-day visit, her first major solo international trip as first lady. 

She spent her first full day in the country on Friday bottle-feeding elephants, going on safari, visiting orphans, having tea with the Kenyan first lady and taking in a performance at the Nairobi National Theatre. 

The day was eventful in more ways than one. First, the first lady was nearly trampled by a baby elephant. Then she was ridiculed on Twitter for wearing a pith helmet, a look typical of turn-of-the-century imperialists, to go on safari. 

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First lady Melania Trump kicked off the fourth day of her African tour with a visit to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

First lady Melania Trump kicked off the fourth day of her African tour with a visit to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

Source: AFP

She was given the opportunity to bottle-feed and pet orphaned elephant calves during the visit.

She was given the opportunity to bottle-feed and pet orphaned elephant calves during the visit.

Source: AP

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At one point, one of the calves started charging the first lady, which caused her to lose her balance.

At one point, one of the calves started charging the first lady, which caused her to lose her balance.

Source: Pulse Live Kenya

A Secret Service agent ran to Mrs. Trump's aid to strop her from falling.

A Secret Service agent ran to Mrs. Trump's aid to strop her from falling.

Source: Pulse Live Kenya

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Luckily, the baby elephant was quickly calmed and Mrs. Trump laughed the incident off.

Luckily, the baby elephant was quickly calmed and Mrs. Trump laughed the incident off.

Source: Pulse Live Kenya

After the visit with the baby elephants, the first lady was taken on a short safari through Nairobi National Park.

After the visit with the baby elephants, the first lady was taken on a short safari through Nairobi National Park.

According to the pool report, the first lady spotted a rhino and a buffalo on the short safari.

During the visit to the park, she also visited an ivory burn site, where illegally obtained elephant tusks were destroyed to discourage the poaching of the endangered animals.

Source: AFP

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At several points during the safari, the first lady took out her cellphone to take pictures of the wildlife.

At several points during the safari, the first lady took out her cellphone to take pictures of the wildlife.

The first lady received some flak on Twitter for her outfit, which evoked Africa's colonial past.

Pith helmets, like the one Mrs. Trump wore on safari, were often worn by the imperialists who divided the continent up amongst themselves at the turn of the century, putting most Africans under European rule.

Many on social media commented that the outfit was less than appropriate for the occasion.

Source: AP

Melania: What should I wear on my Africa trip to pay tribute to the culture and history of my hosts?

WH staff: A pith helmet. Definitely a pith helmet. https://t.co/JSmNkWM2RF

— Owen Barder (@owenbarder) October 5, 2018

Oh my goodness I thought she would stop at belted khaki but FLOTUS actually brought a pith helmet on her Africa jaunt. #IReallyDontCareDoU https://t.co/9QlbKIK6Oe

— Ruth Maclean (@ruthmaclean) October 5, 2018

Melania has dressed like she's in "Out of Africa." Full colonial. Sends a message: I am both stupid and insensitive.

— Marj Wakefield (@MarjWakefield) October 5, 2018

Later in the day, Trump visited The Nest orphanage in Nairobi where she was greeted by a gaggle of dancing children.

Later in the day, Trump visited The Nest orphanage in Nairobi where she was greeted by a gaggle of dancing children.

The children that are cared for at the facility have parents who are incarcerated.

Source: AP

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Like her first stop at a hospital in Ghana, the first lady handed out teddy bears and blankets with her initiative's motto "Be Best."

Like her first stop at a hospital in Ghana, the first lady handed out teddy bears and blankets with her initiative's motto "Be Best."

Students at the center gifted the first lady a scrapbook in return, according to the pool report.

Source: Business Insider

In mother mode, the first lady held several of the babies at the hospital.

In mother mode, the first lady held several of the babies at the hospital.
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In the afternoon, Trump had tea with Kenya's first lady, Margaret Kenyatta.

In the afternoon, Trump had tea with Kenya's first lady, Margaret Kenyatta.

The two first ladies posed for a photo together under the portico of the Kenyan statehouse.

Source: AP

After tea, the first ladies then took in a performance at the National Theatre.

After tea, the first ladies then took in a performance at the National Theatre.

Source: AFP

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Many local children were in attendance at the afternoon performance.

Many local children were in attendance at the afternoon performance.

Trump and her counterpart took to the stage to take pictures with the performers before ending her busy day of public appearances.

Trump and her counterpart took to the stage to take pictures with the performers before ending her busy day of public appearances.

The next and final stop of the first lady's six-day trip will be Egypt. She returns to Washington, DC on Sunday.

Source: AP

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