I ran the lives of the Obamas for two years
For days the White House had rehearsed the mechanics of how Donald and Melania Trump would ascend the North Portico steps to greet Barack and Michelle Obama, the outgoing president and first lady of the United States. No gifts, then handshakes, then photographs.
Deesha Dyer was in her last hours as the White House social secretary for the Obamas in January 2017, hiding herself in a fold of curtain at the front window to supervise this crucial encounter. As soon as she spied Melania appearing out of the car with an enormous turquoise Tiffany & Co box, 'I was so mad … so mad,' Dyer writes in her new memoir, Undiplomatic. 'I'd confirmed with the Trump advance team there would be no gift exchange.'
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