Melania Trump wears jacket saying ‘I really don’t care, do U?’ while visiting migrant children
The United States First Lady’s spokesperson claimed that there was no ‘hidden message’ in the words.
United States First Lady Melania Trump attracted criticism on Thursday for wearing a jacket with the words “I really don’t care, do u [you]?” while on a trip to meet children of immigrants housed in detention centres in Texas.
Following severe backlash on social media, Trump’s spokesperson Stephanie Grisham told reporters there was no “hidden message” in the jacket. “After today’s important visit to Texas, I hope the media isn’t going to choose to focus on her wardrobe,” she said, according to Reuters.
The First Lady had on Sunday called for an end to the separation of children from their parents who had been detained by US border officials.
US President Donald Trump defended his wife’s choice of wardrobe, claiming that the words on the jacket refer to the “fake news media”. “Melania has learned how dishonest they are, and she no longer truly cares!” Trump said.
“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
Today’s visit w the children in Texas impacted @flotus greatly. If media would spend their time & energy on her actions & efforts to help kids - rather than speculate & focus on her wardrobe - we could get so much accomplished on behalf of children. #SheCares #ItsJustAJacket
— Stephanie Grisham (@StephGrisham45) June 21, 2018
However, Twitter users were not so kind. Some claimed that the message was “intentional”, while others called the move “tone deaf”.
#MelaniaTrump created the "Be Best" campaign and then wears a jacket that says, "I Really Don't Care." On her way to meet with immigrant children being held at border facilities. Cool, cool. I guess it was Opposite Day when she created that little ditty.
— Kiran S. (@subrawoman) June 21, 2018
Melania wearing an 'I don't care' jacket to the border has got to be the world's most tone deaf move since Marie Antoinette.
— Robb Royer (@TXFartingsworth) June 21, 2018
Melania Trump has been wearing “I really don’t care, do u?” on her face since the inauguration.
— Steve Redmond (@sjredmond) June 22, 2018
White privilege is giving Melania Antoinette an infinite number of chances to prove she's a good person and then denying she's the exact opposite of good even though she repeatedly co-signs the Trump regime's cruelty.
— Ragnarok Lobster (@eclecticbrotha) June 22, 2018
Let's get one thing straight: Melania Trump did not accidentally wear a $30 jacket she just happened to have around with all her other very expensive designer clothes on this trip.
— Denizcan Grimes (@MrFilmkritik) June 21, 2018
This was intentional.
Trump’s immigration policy
In May, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced a “zero tolerance” policy that allows authorities to file criminal charges against undocumented immigrants. This has led to nearly 2,000 children being separated from their parents in just six weeks.
Following widespread criticism, President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order to keep families who illegally cross the US southern border together as they await immigration proceedings.