Melania Trump visits children’s shelter wearing ‘I don’t care’ jacket

Melania Trump has made an unannounced visit to a Texas centre housing children separated from their parents after arriving illegally in the US.

“I want to thank you for your hard work, your compassion and your kindness,” the first lady said during a meeting with workers at the Upbring New Hope Children’s Shelter, which currently houses around 60 children. “I’d also like to ask you how I can help reunite these children with their families as quickly as possible.”

But her words were overshadowed by her choice of outfit.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up

Trump was photographed wearing a green coat with the phrase “I really don’t care. Do u?” on the back, as she travelled to and from Texas. It was, says the BBC, a “pretty tone-deaf” decision.

As photographs of the jacket spread through social media, some attempted to work out what sort of message the notoriously image-conscious first lady was trying to send.

“She’s a former model,” fashion consultant Bob Phipps told The New York Times. “Every piece of clothing has statement and purpose. She’s all about image, and so is Trump. She knows the power.”

Trump’s communications director Stephanie Grisham played down the incident, saying: “It’s a jacket. There was no hidden message. After today’s important visit to Texas, I hope the media isn’t going to choose to focus on her wardrobe.”