Trump Welcomes Widow of Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe at Mar-a-Lago

December 16, 2024 TruthUSA

The visit extends the Trumps’ enduring, amicable connection with the Abes.

On December 15, Akie Abe, the widow of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, met President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

In a social media update on X, soon-to-be First Lady Melania Trump expressed that it was “a privilege” to once again welcome Japan’s former first lady to the Trumps’ Palm Beach residence.

“We cherished the opportunity to reminisce about her late husband, former Prime Minister Abe, and pay tribute to his extraordinary legacy,” she wrote in an X post, paired with a photo of the three of them.

Shinzo Abe served as Japan’s longest-serving leader from 2012 to 2020 and was tragically assassinated on July 8, 2022, while delivering a campaign address.

The Trumps maintained a cordial relationship with the Abes throughout Trump’s first term. Following the 2016 presidential election, Shinzo Abe was the first global leader to personally congratulate Trump, presenting him with a gold-painted golf club.

In subsequent years, the Trumps frequently hosted the Abes, including a dinner celebration for Melania’s 49th birthday at the White House.

Last month, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba was denied a meeting with Trump. Ishiba, who took office on October 1, had hoped to meet with the president-elect following the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Lima, Peru. He informed reporters that Trump’s team advised him that the Logan Act forbids such a visit before the inauguration.

The Logan Act, established in 1799, prohibits private citizens from engaging in diplomatic discussions or negotiations with foreign leaders on behalf of the United States without federal authorization.

On November 28, the president-elect dined with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago. Nevertheless, even if that visit breached the law, it is improbable to result in any legal consequences.

Although often referenced as a political issue, the Logan Act has only been enforced twice in U.S. history, both instances occurring in the 19th century and neither ending in a conviction.

Trump is set to be sworn in as president on January 20, 2025.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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