Melania Trump has drawn criticism for her choice of clothing on a visit to migrant children in Texas on Thursday.
She was photographed at Andrews Air Force Base wearing a jacket from high street retailer Zara reading: “I really don’t care, do u?”
The £29 khaki-coloured jacket from the store’s 2016 spring-summer collection sparked outrage, with many taking to social media to air their opinions.
The First Lady visited the Upbring New Hope Children’s Centre, which is housing 55 unaccompanied children. She sported a pale yellow jacket for the occasion.
“It’s a jacket,” she wrote on Twitter.
“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.”
Despite this statement, the president claimed his wife’s jacket was sending a message – to the media.
“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
The outrage about her choice of jacket has already lead to a fundraising drive.
Parker Molloy, a writer at news website Upworthy and campaigner Amanda Litman set up Ireallydocare.com which enables visitors to donate cash to 14 charities helping immigrants.
Others chose to poke fun at the first lady and the situation in general, with hashtags such as #MelaniaAntoinette and #Melaniasjacket featuring prominently.
In fairness to Melania Trump, if the Dalmatian puppies hadn’t escaped she wouldn’t have had to wear that jacket.
— Eliot Higgins (@EliotHiggins) June 22, 2018
Marie Antoinette: Let them eat cake.
Melania Trump: I really don’t care.
— Ali (@realAliTweets) June 22, 2018
Other items Melania thought about wearing to the border. #Melania #MelaniasJacket #MelaniaAntoinette #IReallyDontCareDoU #FLOTUS #MelaniaAtTheBorder #MelaniaDoesntCare #MelaniaDontCare pic.twitter.com/wVOqkTMtDO
— Benjamin Slyngstad (@SlyngCartoons) June 21, 2018
I have this coat in my closet and some white fabric paint. Any suggestions what I could do with them? #melaniasjacket pic.twitter.com/BVIOzgDrOr
— Steph (@just_steph_anie) June 22, 2018
This poster made reference to the upcoming November midterm elections.
I made my own jacket. ??#MelaniaTrump pic.twitter.com/MBhGOqpWME
— Charlotte Clymer?️? (@cmclymer) June 21, 2018
The jacket even has its own Twitter account.
Who wants to see me tweet more?! #MelaniaTrump #melaniasjacket
— Melania Trump’s Jacket (@melaniajacket) June 21, 2018
