The Inappropriate Outfit Melania Trump Wore At Rosalynn Carter's Memorial Service
A memorial service for Rosalynn Carter, former first lady and wife of President Jimmy Carter, brought together some of the most recognizable faces in politics, from Michelle Obama to Vice President Kamala Harris. Most in attendance wore black, but Melania Trump stood out in an unexpected hue. In a shot from the service posted to X (formerly known as Twitter) by filmmaker and producer Andy Ostroy, Trump stands in the front row alongside other former first ladies. However, in the sea of guests, she sticks out in a gray tweed coat with specks of black and white.
She might as well have "I really don't care, do you?" on the back of that coat... #Melania #Trump #disrespect pic.twitter.com/Wh8R5Qsfe0
— Andy Ostroy (@AndyOstroy) November 28, 2023
While the garment appears dark — and, according to Newsweek, was layered over a black dress — it still bucked the long-standing rule of wearing black to funerals and memorial services. In contrast to Trump's bold fashion choice, Mrs. Obama opted for a tailored black blazer over a black turtleneck and black pants. Similarly, Hillary Clinton wore a long black jacket with black pants underneath, and Laura Bush, also seated among the first ladies, wore a black knee-length dress topped with a double-strand pearl necklace.
The look was met with immediate backlash
Many observers, who saw Rosalynn Carter's funeral as an opportunity to honor her legacy, took issue with Melania Trump's choice of clothing. Trump, who has limited her public appearances since leaving the White House in 2021, was bound to turn heads at the event regardless of what she wore. But according to critics, showing up in a color other than black was a ploy to steal the spotlight.
Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, former senior adviser to Trump and author of "Melania and Me: The Rise & Fall of My Friendship with the First Lady," didn't mince her words in a tweet: "Melania made this service a photo op for herself, instead of handling her apprarance [sic] with dignity and humility, she used it as a cat walk." Others took to social media to share similar views. Andy Ostroy wrote in his X post, "She might as well have 'I really don't care, do you?' on the back of that coat... #Melania #Trump #disrespect," referencing another Melania fashion faux pas.
Not everyone thinks gray is a no-go at funerals
While non-black outfits are generally considered inappropriate when attending a funeral or memorial service, some experts suggest that Melania Trump didn't commit a total sin by donning gray to Rosalynn Carter's service. "It would be a different story if Melania Trump wore hot pink, or bright red, but rather she chose a somber gray, which is a perfectly acceptable color for funerals," Diane Gottsman, an etiquette expert and founder of The Protocol School of Texas, explained to Newsweek. "Her choice of outfit was conservative and respectful."
Anabel Maldonado, founder and CEO of fashion e-commerce tool Psykhe, echoed this idea to PopSugar, saying, "Bright hues and prints, such as florals or polka dots, are joyous in quality, and the service is a lament of a loss of life, so this is not a time to reflect joy." As long as garments are kept dark, simple, and free of eye-catching embellishments, they likely still fit most funeral dress codes.
Trump showed respect to Carter in other ways
Melania Trump's outfit might not have been the safest choice for a funeral, but the coat likely wasn't a calculated move against the Carters or their politics. Just after Rosalynn Carter's death, Trump tweeted, "Rosalynn Carter leaves behind a meaningful legacy not only as First Lady but as a wife and mother. We will always remember her servant's heart and devotion to her husband, family, and country. May she rest in peace." Carter's family also shared that Trump expressed her admiration for the late first lady at the service. "She said sweet things about my mother," Chip Carter, the Carters' son, told The Washington Post. "She thanked us for getting an invitation and we thanked her for coming — and I gave her a hug."
Some onlookers may consider Trump's coat an insult, and it's easy to see why — the former White House resident has a long history of questionable looks seemingly meant to send a message. For instance, she wore a pussy-bow blouse in 2016, possibly to hit back at critics who slammed her husband for using the same p-word in a leaked tape. Then there was the time she wore a yellow cape right after being made fun of for wearing a similar style. So, did Trump's coat at Carter's memorial service contain a hidden message? We may never know, but for now, we'll stick to tradition and keep it simple when dressing for a funeral.