Melania Trump’s Most Callous Fashion Statment

First Lady Melania Trump recently visited children who have been affected by President Trumps Zero-Tolerance immigration policy.

Melania visited the Upbring New Hope Children’s Shelter which is located in Texas. The shelter was housing many children who had been separated from their parents at the U.S border. Although this may initially appear to be a display of compassion from the First Lady, something Melania was wearing suggested otherwise.

The first lady arrived at the border wearing a green Zara military jacket, with the words “I really don’t care, Do U?” written across the back.

The pictures of the jacket were taken as she got out of her car and into the jet on the air force one base. Melania Trump changed her outfit on the flight and was not wearing it when she landed in Texas. She did however wear it again when she got back on the plane at St Andrews Air Force Base after the trip. Reportedly this is after the media storm around the jacket had already erupted.

Initially the press team behind Melania attempted to play down the wardrobe choice. Stephanie Grisham, the East Wing communications director told CNN …“It’s a jacket. There was no hidden message. After today’s important visit to Texas, I hope the media isn’t going to chose to focus on her wardrobe.” 

However this explanation did not hold up for long. Later Donald Trump tweeted that there was a message, and that it was aimed at the media itself. “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!” 

This is not the first time that the first lady’s fashion choices have made headlines. Many outlets took interest in the white suit and hat she wore to the French state visit. Commentators noticed a similarity between the outfit and one of the looks from Beyoncé’s “Formation” and the running white hat metaphor of morality from “Scandal.” People were quick to link the style choice to the recent braking of the Stormy Daniels affair story. There was also the questionable choice of the pussy-bow blouse she wore to the presidential debate that followed the leaking of the infamous access Hollywood tapes.

It is, of course possible that media outlets focus too much on the First Lady’s style choices and find statements that perhaps were not intended. But it’s hard not to try to find meaning in her outfits, because she rarely says anything publicly. Even in this instance, when the story is about her, Melania remains silent. She has yet to make any statement herself about the issue of the jacket.

She, however did make a statement whilst visiting the center. It was mostly comprised of platitudes about the staff and children and hopes that Congress will work together. The most notable comment was that the children “are in this situation as a direct result of adult actions.” This appears to be in reference to the parents who came to the border. Although some have suggested it could also be directed at government officials. Either way, nothing in the statement speaks to the injustice of the policy her husband implemented. It seems that Melania didn’t need the jacket, her statements and her silence already told us that she really doesn’t care.