Michelle Obama’s three-day tour to Chicago, Mississippi and Missouri to promote her “Let’s Move!” campaign will hit taxpayers’ wallets at a sum of $50,000 or more.
The first lady left Washington Wednesday for Clinton, Miss., where she will join TV chef Rachael Ray to promote healthy school lunches, the Washington Examiner reports.
Then she’ll head to Chicago where she and Secretary Arne Duncan will make their “major announcement” about bringing physical education back to schools.
Then the first lady’s final stop will be in Springfield, Mo. on Thursday, where she will promote Walmart’s efforts to offer healthier food as part of a Let’s Move! initiative, the Examiner reports.
Based on calculations by conservative watchdog Judicial Watch, assuming Mrs. Obama took a C-37, the travel alone would cost taxpayers $30,000, not including protection, snacks, car rentals and hotels that easily double that amount, the Examiner reports.
“The Obama White House wastes millions on non-essential luxury travel for the first family,” Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, told the Examiner. “Our military’s resources are being misused for luxury vacations and, in this instance, a PR opportunity for Michelle Obama.”
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.