Melania Trump's menswear look in Africa inspires some praise — but mostly memes
Melania Trump may prefer that people focus on her work rather than her wardrobe, but that’s tough in the age of Twitter. One day after being criticized for wearing a colonial-looking pith helmet in Kenya, the first lady’s menswear-inspired ensemble has become a hot topic.
FLOTUS touched down in Egypt Saturday, the final stop of her four-country trip to Africa, wearing a beige suit, a white blouse with a black tie, and a fedora-style hat. CNN’s Kate Bennett, who has been covering Melania Trump for nearly two years, praised the wardrobe choice.
. @FLOTUS steps off the plane in Egypt wearing a menswear-inspired look, complete with necktie. For me this a fascinating fashion statement for a country with a very poor record on women’s rights. In the politics of fashion realm, she’s sending a message: Women are equal. pic.twitter.com/WA04VwDHV1
— Kate Bennett (@KateBennett_DC) October 6, 2018
Many on Twitter were not as kind and felt her inspiration might be more along the lines of Michael Jackson.
Has this happened yet? #FLOTUS pic.twitter.com/rFmUM1CC7Z
— Josh Jeffery (@JeffCarnage) October 6, 2018
Melania, are you okay? #cnn #michaeljackson #melaniatrump #smoothcriminal pic.twitter.com/nN0CY7SSO1
— Val Hill (@ValHill20) October 6, 2018
Why does @FLOTUS have to wear these outfits? She’s not a model anymore. And she’s certainly not Michael Jackson. #SmoothCriminal pic.twitter.com/9CBszuKz3R
— Ryan (@ryanisbrief) October 6, 2018
Melania about to bust out into a rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” in Egypt. pic.twitter.com/iVnpdogjtP
— Michael G. Seamans (@MGSphotojournal) October 6, 2018
There were some Raiders of the Lost Ark comparisons too.
melania dressed like the bad guy from ‘raiders of the lost ark’ on her visit to the pyramids pic.twitter.com/Cww6eausdx
— Marlow Stern (@MarlowNYC) October 6, 2018
Okay so yesterday it was a colonial pith helmet. Today Melania Trump is modelling herself (in Egypt) as fictional Raiders of the Lost Ark character and fellow Nazi collaborator Rene Belloq
We’re definitely being trolled here.#FLOTUSInAfrica pic.twitter.com/ynbk35EAQI
— Rob (@UmbertoBagg) October 6, 2018
Some Carmen Sandiego jabs.
Where 👏 in 👏 the 👏 world 👏 is 👏 Melania San Diego? pic.twitter.com/ioRTVJRC3x
— Griff. (@griffpr) October 6, 2018
Hey, guys! Look!!! I found Carmen Sandiego!! #FLOTUS #Melania pic.twitter.com/FSiy2q0LGp
— leigh anne✨ (@lamoonfacedgirl) October 6, 2018
And a whole lot more.
Did… Did… Donald Trump send Melania on a crusade to steal a magical ancient relic from Dr Jones? pic.twitter.com/VMhnKYl3zT
— Chris Blundell 🎃 (@ChrisBlundell) October 6, 2018
That moment when @FLOTUS is every evil character out of an Indiana Jones film pic.twitter.com/ePN7iJFBU4
— Jacy #BelieveSurvivors Soros (@MommaJacy) October 6, 2018
Melania Trump looks like she’s stolen Hannibal Lecter’s Florence suits pic.twitter.com/1xos9wOvaM
— The Wicker Mannion (@andymannion77) October 6, 2018
Melania Trump sporting the perfect look for when you’re about to open the world’s first living dinosaur theme park pic.twitter.com/b8glIyCJtF
— Gwdihŵ 🦉 (@youwouldknow) October 6, 2018
Melania. The Sphinx. And a Robert Redford’s Suit from Out of Africa.#bebest pic.twitter.com/0Vc3TzPptz
— Cornwallis (@CornySongs) October 6, 2018
The first lady told reporters on Saturday that she wishes people would “focus on what I do, not what I wear.”