President-elect Donald J. Trump’s reception during his first visit to Europe since winning the election showed that allied leaders are glad that competent leadership is returning to America.
Trump was given a warm welcome when he attended the reopening ceremony of the historic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Saturday, but one leader stood out from the rest with what some are describing as a “disrespectful” gesture to the American people.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy couldn’t be bothered to dress appropriately for the occasion, wearing a black sweatshirt and combat boots for the ceremony and a sit-down with Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron at Élysée Palace.
Zelensky was too good to wear a suit to the Notre Dame. pic.twitter.com/NudS4qQlSq
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) December 8, 2024
Zelenskyy’s shabby appearance was “disrespectful to the American people,” said Trump advisor Roger Stone.
“He can’t afford a suit? He wore a suit and tie to the World Economic Forum event, but can’t wear one to address a joint session of Congress or to meet the President-elect of the United States?” Stone told the New York Post.
“Everybody is dressed business attire. But not Zelenskyy. He shows up in a sweater and jacket. He’s an embarrassment, or should be,” wrote on X user.
Everybody is dressed business attire. But not Zelenskyy. He shows up in a sweater and jacket. He’s an embarrassment, or should be. pic.twitter.com/h91X5kpYhS
— UnboundedLife (@unboundedlife1) December 7, 2024
Other X users also expressed their disapproval of the Eastern European beggar’s garb.
I cannot believe Zelenskyy is shaking hands with President Trump while wearing a sweatshirt, sweat pants, and combat boots.
$60+ Billion of our tax dollars going to him is disgraceful.
— JohnRocker (@itsJohnRocker) December 7, 2024
Zelensky dresses in a way that is aggressively disrespectful of everything and everyone. He is an actor so he knows this. It shows contempt. https://t.co/wx7dQwDJMU
— Jeffrey A Tucker (@jeffreyatucker) December 8, 2024
Zelensky sticks out like a sore thumb dressed like a thrift store employee pic.twitter.com/bsEXoC1SCo
— Sara Rose (@saras76) December 7, 2024
Zelensky is the only world leader not dressed for the occasion. Sorry, but he is a clown. If the war is so bad that you can’t dress well, you should also have zero time to spend at events like this. https://t.co/Q3qkut2ftt
— Mike (@LU7AN) December 7, 2024
ZELENSKY IS SUCH A SCHMUCK! STILL CAVORTING AROUND IN A DIRTY GREEN UNDERSHIRT! Pretending he’s just back from the war front! Meanwhile he has wasted an entire generation of Ukrainians!
— Michael Savage (@ASavageNation) December 7, 2024
Zelenskyy is terribly underdressed. We know he owns a suit. pic.twitter.com/HmqTO0xxNo
— Cari Kelemen (@KelemenCari) December 7, 2024
Did that MOTHERFUCKER Zelenskyy really wear Timberland boots to the Notre Dame grand opening?
We gave this bitch $200,000,000,000 and the motherfucker couldn’t even go to Dolce & Gabbana and buy some loafers?
Bastard.
— Joey Mannarino (@JoeyMannarinoUS) December 7, 2024
Zelenskyy later expressed his gratitude to Trump and Macron, even if he couldn’t be respectful enough to wear a business suit.
I had a good and productive trilateral meeting with President @realDonaldTrump and President @EmmanuelMacron at the Élysée Palace.
President Trump is, as always, resolute. I thank him. I also extend my gratitude to Emmanuel for organizing this important meeting.
We all want… pic.twitter.com/eKMtuhp2ZI
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 7, 2024
Not everyone was appalled that Zelenskyy dressed down for event, one notable U.S. lawmaker who also dresses like a slob weighed in.
Hoodie-clad galoot Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) told the New York Post that the Ukrainian leader’s attire was “a mood.”
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