‘Do You Even Own a Suit’? How the Fiery Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting Began with a Fashion Troll- wna24

Washington: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ’s attire for his “extraordinary” meeting with US President Donald Trump also became the focal point of attention on Friday.

Before the meeting, Donald Trump appeared to take a subtle jab at Zelenskyy as he arrived, noticing the Ukrainian president was wearing his signature outfit. “Oh look, you’re all dressed up,” Trump remarked.

Zelenskyy, dressed in his signature black sweater, was trolled by a reporter for not wearing a suit in the United States’ “highest office.”

“Why don’t you wear a suit? Do you even own a suit?” the reporter asked, sparking a debate over his choice of attire, which left Trump, Vice President Pence, and other senior officials in the room laughing.

“Do you have a problem?” Zelenskyy fired back at the reporter.

The reporter responded by saying the Oval Office’s dress code was being disrespected and that many Americans might take issue with it.

“A lot of Americans have a problem with those who don’t respect the dress code of the Oval Office,” the reporter said.

To which Zelenskyy replied that he would only wear a suit once the war, which began in 2022, is over.

“I’ll wear a suit after this war is finished. Maybe something like yours, maybe something better. We’ll see. Maybe something cheaper. Thank you!” Zelenskyy quipped.

Trump joined in, expressing that he “liked” Zelenskyy’s outfit.

Zelenskyy has become known for wearing military-style clothes at various high-profile meetings and events, including his address to the United Nations General Assembly in 2023 and meetings with other global leaders. His attire symbolizes his solidarity with the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Trump’s DOGE Chief, Elon Musk, reacted to a clip in which the US President is heard saying, “He’s all dressed up today.” Musk responded with a laughing emoji, writing, “All dressed up.”

The Oval Office meeting soon descended into a shouting match as Trump accused Zelenskyy of being “not ready for peace talks” and gambling with the lives of his people. The altercation led to Zelenskyy leaving the White House abruptly without signing the crucial mineral deal that Trump said would have moved Ukraine closer to ending its war with Russia.