Zelenskyy’s Bold Response to Suit Controversy at White House Meeting
During his visit to the White House on February 28, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy faced unexpected scrutiny—not for political negotiations, but for his choice of attire.
Wearing his signature military-style clothing, Zelenskyy sparked debate, with some critics calling it “disrespectful” for not wearing a suit in a formal diplomatic setting.
As he entered the West Wing alongside President Donald Trump, the former U.S. leader quipped, “He is all dressed up today,” setting the stage for a tense exchange.
According to reports, Zelenskyy had been advised to wear formal attire but declined.
During an Oval Office press briefing, reporter Brian Glenn confronted him directly: “Why don’t you wear a suit? You’re meeting at the highest level of this country’s office.
Do you even own a suit?”
Unshaken, Zelenskyy fired back with a sharp response: “I will wear a suit after this war is over.
Maybe something like yours—maybe better, maybe cheaper.”
He then shifted focus back to Ukraine’s ongoing war and the urgent need for international support.
Despite the response, criticism persisted. Glenn, a supporter of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement and partner of Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, later took to social media, reaffirming his stance.
While expressing sympathy for war victims, he questioned Ukraine’s reliance on U.S. financial aid, stating, “The United States has given Ukraine over $120 billion—some say closer to $300 billion.
That’s hard-earned American tax dollars, and most citizens don’t support continued funding.”
Zelenskyy’s military-style attire has long been seen as a symbol of solidarity with his troops, though some argue that diplomatic settings require a more formal approach.
Regardless, the Ukrainian president remains steadfast: for him, fashion is secondary to the battle for his country’s survival.
