Turns out it wasn’t a shot at the “fake news media” — it’s reportedly far more petty.
Remember Melania Trump’s jacket? You know the one: The olive green coat with “I REALLY DON’T CARE. DO U?” painted on the back. She was spotted in 2018 wearing the piece in 80-degree heat while visiting detained immigrant children in a Texas border town. And, of course, the garment set off a media firestorm. Seemingly everyone, even her own husband, speculated about its real meaning. What could the former first lady be talking about? Who was she casting her shade upon?
The alleged answer can be found in American Woman, a fascinating account of first ladies and how the mantle has evolved over the past three decades. Written by New York Times White House correspondent Katie Rogers, its pages are filled with fascinating details about our past five first ladies — from Hillary Clinton to Dr. Jill Biden — and how they approached the job. But since the book’s release, one specific detail has stood out among the rest.
At the time, many people viewed Trump’s jacket as shockingly callous given the context, and wondered why a former model with a keen understanding of her own personal image would make such an unseemly (and not particularly chic) wardrobe choice.
Donald Trump tweeted that it clearly referred to the “Fake News Media.” Months later, in an interview with ABC News, Melania backed that claim up herself: “It was for the people and for the left-wing media who are criticizing me.”
But, according to Rogers, the truth is vastly more petty. Rogers reports that the message was actually intended for none other than the Melania’s stepdaughter, Ivanka Trump. The two had been locked in a power struggle over the course of President Trump’s time in office, and Melania was apparently not happy with Ivanka encroaching on her first lady duties. In fact, the duo was engaged “in a quiet competition for press coverage” when Melania took her veiled, utterly confusing swipe at Ivanka, per the New York Post, which reviewed an early copy of American Woman.
As readers devour this fascinating morsel about two members of one of America’s most famous families, it’s important to consider the source: While the book was carefully reported by a reputable journalist, Melania has previously spoken out about these kinds of claims about her personal life. Last year, amid chatter about how her husband’s latest presidential campaign was affecting their marriage, Melania’s office issued a tweet declaring that readers should “exercise caution and good judgment when determining whether or not stories concerning the former first lady are accurate, particularly when they fail to cite Mrs. Trump as a source of information.”
But if the motivations for the jacket described in American Woman are true, it’s safe to say her plan backfired. Just as the stunning pink Chanel suit Jackie O wore on the day of JFK’s assassination will forever be a part of her legacy, this $39 Zara jacket be similarly attached to Melania — whether she likes it or not.
