A tone-deaf sartorial decision -- or a hidden message from the first lady? And if so, to whom?
The images of Melania Trump sporting the olive green khaki jacket yesterday as she boarded a flight to Texas -- which immediately went viral -- surfaced as the White House struggles to calm international anger over the practice of splitting migrant children from their parents.
Asked about the military-style jacket with large white brush-style lettering -- apparently sold for US$ 39 at Zara, according to the Daily Mail, which first spotted the odd choice of outfit -- the first lady's spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said "there was no hidden message."
Visiting w children at the shelter in #Texas yesterday was very touching. Despite the difficult circumstances children were in good spirits & very kind. It's my sincere hope Congress will be able to reach across the aisle & find a solution! pic.twitter.com/4ZumcDVVMc
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) June 22, 2018
"It's a jacket," Grisham said. "After today's important visit to Texas, I hope the media isn't going to choose to focus on her wardrobe." "#SheCares #ItsJustAJacket" Grisham tweeted later on, as speculation swirled online.
Wow, she’s really starting to seem like the kind of person who would marry Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/LI6ZIjMEaT
— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) June 22, 2018
But the president's take on the jacket told a decidedly different story: "'I REALLY DON'T CARE, DO U?' written on the back of Melania's jacket, refers to the Fake News Media," Donald Trump tweeted shortly after his wife's return.
"Melania has learned how dishonest they are, and she truly no longer cares!" When she arrived in McAllen, Texas the first lady had changed out of the controversial garment into a cream button-up safari-style jacket.
“I REALLY DON’T CARE, DO U?” written on the back of Melania’s jacket, refers to the Fake News Media. Melania has learned how dishonest they are, and she truly no longer cares!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 21, 2018
But upon returning to the White House she sported the jacket once more, despite stifling heat and humidity in the Washington region.
Melania Trump's spokesperson said, "It's just a jacket. There's no message" after the First Lady wore a "I really don't care, do u?" jacket to visit migrant kids. @SRuhle notes how the history of the First Lady's fashion choices have been "deliberate." pic.twitter.com/gWfIkFn6UI
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) June 22, 2018
Melania Trump's unannounced trip to a youth shelter for migrants and a Border Patrol processing center came one day after President Donald Trump made a sudden decision to end the practice of splitting immigrant families that has left more than 2,300 minors separated from their parents or guardians.
If Trump's defense of Melania's jacket teaches us anything, it’s that Trump probably didn’t collude with Russia. #BetweenTheScenes pic.twitter.com/MReiF9JrB0
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) June 22, 2018
Images and recordings of distressed children held in enclosures akin to cages have sparked global fury.
The first lady herself called for political compromise to end the stripping of children from their parents -- the result of the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" policy against illegal border crossings, in effect since May.
Rosalynn Carter: “disgraceful and a shame to our country”
— Patricia B (@patriciab123) June 22, 2018
Laura Bush: "zero-tolerance policy is cruel"
Hillary Clinton: "every human being should be outraged"
Michelle Obama: "sometimes truth transcends party"
Melania Trump: "I really don't care, do u?" pic.twitter.com/IL4jGofE0Z
It was not the first time Melania Trump raised eyebrows for her fashion choices when out in the field: last year she wore needle-thin high stiletto heels to observe the devastation wrought by Hurricane Harvey.
Some DC moms made their own jackets in response to the one First Lady Melania Trump wore to visit immigrant children yesterday. pic.twitter.com/66uBqynIIg
— ABC 7 News - WJLA (@ABC7News) June 22, 2018
So why in the hell did @FLOTUS @MELANIATRUMP wear the jacket? Stop making excuses @marcorubio. If she doesn't wear the jacket, there is no story. Lunacy is you constantly defending BS. https://t.co/rhfngR4rN2
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) June 22, 2018
The republicans love to say things are shameful, but criticism of the First Lady for modeling a jacket saying “I don’t care” isn’t shameful. This picture however is. pic.twitter.com/BrfBUfhYFI
— Molly Jong-Fast (@MollyJongFast) June 22, 2018
