Amid the captivating scenes that saw Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky clash with his US counterpart, Donald Trump over a number of issues including war and trade, a somewhat unusual topic arose in the conversation – the former’s choice of attire.
With Trump’s Cabinet looking on, reporter Brian Glenn, the Chief White House Correspondent for Real America’s Voice asked Zelensky: “Why don’t you wear a suit? You’re the highest level in this country’s office and you refuse to wear a suit.”
As Vice President, J.D. Vance sniggered on the Oval Office sofa, Glenn continued to ridicule: “I just want to see – do you own a suit?” Zelensky simply responded: “Problems?” To which the reporter affirmed: “Yes, a lot of Americans have a problems with you not respecting this office.”
However, Zelensky hit back: “I will wear (a) costume after this war will finish. Maybe something like yours, maybe something better., I don’t know. We will see. Maybe something cheaper.”
It came after Trump also appeared to mock the Ukrainian – just moments after he arrived at the White House for the crunch talks. Footage of the 78-year old greeting Zelensky appears to show him joking: “He’s all dressed up today!”
Later inside the Oval Office, meanwhile, Trump told him he “liked” his clothing, prompting Zelensky to simply respond: “Oh really?”
A video of Glenn’s questioning emerged on X following the two leaders’ meeting, which subsequently went viral, amassing almost 10 million views overnight. Many of those defended Zelensky, however, with some pointing out that Elon Musk is regularly spotted in similar outfits.
“What was Elon Musk’s excuse for wearing a t-shirt to a Cabinet meeting and a hat?” one X user asked. A second concurred: “How come Elon wasn’t asked the same question? They were out to ambush Zelensky.”
And a third person agreed: “No one has the right to even comment on Prez Zelensky’s outfit when Elon Musk is allowed into the Cabinet meeting in a t-shirt & baseball cap! Why don’t they ask Elon Musk if he owns a suit or why doesn’t he ever wear a suit!?”
Others sided with Glenn, however, agreeing Zelensky should have been more “respectful”. “Zelenskyy is not just arrogant, he’s cocky with a terrible attitude, he showed nothing but contempt and complete disrespect to the President of the United States of America and to visit the White House,” one person ranted. “A world-renowned building that has had a lot of the greatest men in the world ever, reside there. Wearing no suit, is like giving ‘two fingers’ to the American people!”
And a second fumed: “Is this guy kidding? That was a serious question. Lots of people want to know and are incensed by the fact that he does not dress appropriately for the highest office in the land! It is disrespectful.”
It was also noted on X that Zelensky may have misinterpreted Glenn’s question, as the Ukrainian word ‘kostyum’ translates into English as ‘suit’ and therefore his sarcastic response could have become slightly lost in translation.
