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Melania Trump sent in to try to break up presidential talkfest

WHITE House aides were so worried about Trump and Putin’s meeting running over time that they sent in the First Lady to break it up.

US First Lady Melania Trump has reportedly been trapped inside her accommodation. Picture: Sean Gallup/Getty Images
US First Lady Melania Trump has reportedly been trapped inside her accommodation. Picture: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

WHITE House aides were so worried about Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin’s G20 meeting running long that they sent First Lady Melania Trump in to try to break it up, it has been revealed.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told reporters that after initially disagreeing on Russia’s meddling in the US election, the American and Russian leaders had a very positive meeting that stretched way past its scheduled half-hour length.

The two presidents had such a “positive chemistry” that once they started talking “neither one of the them wanted to stop”, Mr Tillerson said.

Fearing that Mr Trump would be late for his next appointment, the official concert at the Group of 20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, White House aides had to get creative.

So, when the meeting reached the one-hour mark, they sent in First Lady Melania Trump to see her husband and “get him out”, Mr Tillerson said.

“Clearly she failed,” he said, because the gabfest lasted for another hour and 15 minutes.

Mrs Trump was stuck inside her accommodation in Hamburg for much of Friday due to violent protests outside the venue.

She finally appeared at the official concert on Friday evening with Mr Trump after having been holed up in the Senate Guest House.

She was due to go on a river cruise hosted by Chancellor Angela Merkel’s husband but her spokesman said “we have not received the all-clear from police to leave the residence.”

Mrs Trump tweeted that she hoped people “stayed safe” as police urgently requested back up due to “many crimes” being committed in the city.

President Trump and First Lady Melania arrive after she was forced to spend the day inside due to protests. Picture: AP Photo/Markus Schreiber.
President Trump and First Lady Melania arrive after she was forced to spend the day inside due to protests. Picture: AP Photo/Markus Schreiber.
The Trumps with Malcolm and Lucy Turnbull. Picture: Sean Gallup/Getty Images.
The Trumps with Malcolm and Lucy Turnbull. Picture: Sean Gallup/Getty Images.

The huge summit has been marred by violent protests that have virtually shut down parts of the city. On Friday morning President Trump was forced to take a detour after a sit-in protest blocked his motorcade.

Hamburg police said a helicopter was nearly struck by a flare set off by protesters. Another pilot received eye injuries after a laser was directed at them.

Meanwhile Hamburg’s police department said 11 people were badly injured and taken to hospital after falling off a wall during a confrontation with police.

MORE: Putin, Trump in first time meeting

Clashes are expected to continue over the weekend. So far 70 people have been arrested and more than 100 police injured, with cars, bins and pallets set on fire.

German media reports the First Lady is “trapped” in her accommodation due to protests outside. Picture: Sean Gallup/Getty Images.
German media reports the First Lady is “trapped” in her accommodation due to protests outside. Picture: Sean Gallup/Getty Images.
HAMBURG, GERMANY — JULY 07: Angelica Rivera, partner of Enrique Pena Nieto, President of Mexico, (C) leaves the boat "Diplomat" on the river Elbe with her daughter as they take part in the G20 Summit Spouse Programme, minus Melania Trump who could not leave the house. Picture: Jorg Sarbach — Pool/Getty Images.
HAMBURG, GERMANY — JULY 07: Angelica Rivera, partner of Enrique Pena Nieto, President of Mexico, (C) leaves the boat "Diplomat" on the river Elbe with her daughter as they take part in the G20 Summit Spouse Programme, minus Melania Trump who could not leave the house. Picture: Jorg Sarbach — Pool/Getty Images.
The official senate guesthouse of Hamburg where U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife are staying. Picture: AP Photo/Matthias Schrader.
The official senate guesthouse of Hamburg where U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife are staying. Picture: AP Photo/Matthias Schrader.

More than 100,000 protesters are expected to attend the event over the weekend. On Friday the spouse group, led by Chancellor Merkel’s husband was forced to rearrange their plans due to protests, with some online hailing it as a success the US First Lady had been forced to remain at home.

Residents tweeted pictures of cars in flames. Elsewhere “Black Bloc” protesters could be seen marching down the streets.

It follows a violent night on Thursday where police used water cannons and tear gas after around 1000 anarchists from the far-left Black Bloc refused to remove their face coverings.

Protesters threw rocks and bottles and Hamburg police said they were “appalled” at what had happened.

Policemen were hit by their own water cannons as they called desperately for reinforcement. Around 200 officers were sent as back up from other cities. Picture: AFP PHOTO / DPA / David Young / Germany OUT
Policemen were hit by their own water cannons as they called desperately for reinforcement. Around 200 officers were sent as back up from other cities. Picture: AFP PHOTO / DPA / David Young / Germany OUT
Young women have written "Tits against G20" on their chests during a protest in Hamburg. Picture: AFP PHOTO / Ronny HARTMANN
Young women have written "Tits against G20" on their chests during a protest in Hamburg. Picture: AFP PHOTO / Ronny HARTMANN
A rally near a concert hall where the leaders will head after the meeting for a concert. Picture: AFP PHOTO / Ronny HARTMANN
A rally near a concert hall where the leaders will head after the meeting for a concert. Picture: AFP PHOTO / Ronny HARTMANN
Demonstrators outside the G20 summit where violent clashes have erupted. Picture: AFP PHOTO / STEFFI LOOS
Demonstrators outside the G20 summit where violent clashes have erupted. Picture: AFP PHOTO / STEFFI LOOS
Hamburg police have called in back up after dramatic scenes on Thursday night. Picture: Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images
Hamburg police have called in back up after dramatic scenes on Thursday night. Picture: Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images
A huge anti G20 protest turned violent when activists refused to remove their face coverings. Picture: Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images.
A huge anti G20 protest turned violent when activists refused to remove their face coverings. Picture: Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images.

The cars of a tyre belonging to a member of the Canadian delegation were slashed while windows at the consulate of Mongolia were smashed on Thursday night.

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/melania-trump-trapped-in-residence-due-to-g20-protests/news-story/0482ce6445adc750e16772ff34e6a75d