From purple robes to MAGA caps: Is clothing the most despised yet most powerful political language?
In 2018, Melania Trump traveled to several African countries — including Kenya and Egypt — to smooth things over after her husband’s remarks the previous year. It was rumored that Donald Trump considered them to be in a “shithole” region. During her visit, the First Lady faced heavy criticism while on safari for wearing a pith helmet, an item inextricably linked to the stereotypical image of an African traveler, but also reminiscent of the clothing worn by European explorers and colonial soldiers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In Egypt, while admiring the pyramids, she opted for a Panama hat. This didn’t fare any better. She was accused of implying white supremacy with her attire. Melania Trump told the media that they should focus more on what she did — visiting schools, engaging with the local culture — and not on what she wore.
