First lady Michelle Obama’s China trip kicked off Wednesday. She is being accompanied by her mother and daughters. The American media are not allowed on her taxpayer funded plane, limiting media access.

Not only will the media availability be limited during Michelle Obama’s plane rides across the communist country, the American people won’t know exactly how much they are going to be on the hook for this excursion:

Re: FLOTUS China trip: Q: Can you give us a rough estimate of what it will cost? A: We don’t disclose the details associated with security.

— Joseph Curl (@josephcurl) March 17, 2014

Reporters pressed harder:

Reporter asks again, how much? WH: ‘We are not discussing or disclosing information regarding the details of the logistics of the trip.’ $$!

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— Joseph Curl (@josephcurl) March 17, 2014

Why so secretive? With the amount of press coverage that was dedicated to Michelle’s trip before her plane left U.S. soil, one would think the Obama White House would be more than willing to justify what was billed as an “official” trip.

When asked why Michelle Obama’s mother needed to tag along, the White House justified her presences by suggesting that the First Lady’s mother is incapable of traveling the world without it being subsidized by taxpayers:

‘Mrs. Robinson had not done any travel internationally, so the opportunities … have been a real treat I think for Mrs. Robinson.’ 2/2

— Joseph Curl (@josephcurl) March 17, 2014

Um. ok.

What’s more? Michelle’s not even taking questions. “And limited information made available to MailOnline suggests that only two out of 22 scheduled events on the trip will afford journalists a chance to do any significant reporting – including a solitary speech – but still without interviewing Mrs. Obama.”

Just consider the cost of extra Secret Service agents to protect the First Lady’s family: Hotel rooms for security and any accompanying White House staff. The jet. The jet fuel. Armored vehicles and the gasoline (oh, the carbon footprint!!!!!). And when you add in meals and all other expenses, the we are going to be paying hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars.

All this for what? Apparently, the trip is all about a “fashion face off” between Michelle Obama and Peng Liyuan, Chinese President Xi Jingping’s wife. According to the New York Times and USA Today and the Wall Street Journal and — well, you get the point — the two First Ladies are going to square off in a fashion show somewhere in China.

Money well spent.

It’s just too bad the American people–who are footing the bill for her posh trek across the globe — won’t know how much money they’re spending for the Food Witch to have fun.