President Barack Obama held a press briefing on Thursday where he discussed possible U.S. foreign policy, though all anyone seemed to take away from his speech were musings about his sartorial choices.
Obama wore a tan suit to the press briefing, and all of Twitter basically could not contain itself. Most people thought he looked like he was on his way to a summer wedding rather than updating the press on important matters of foreign relations.
Though it is kind of sad that his suit got more attention than the words he was saying, it is interesting to see a male politician being scrutinized for their appearance for once.
Obama showed up to a press conference on Thursday to answer questions abo -- OMG DID YOU SEE HIS SUIT?! https://t.co/ezYecN1reX
— Nick Wing (@nickpwing) August 28, 2014
I can’t hear what Obama is saying over his suit. — Amanda Terkel (@aterkel) August 28, 2014
Obama: Something something tan suit something tan tan tan something suit.
— Brian Rie$ (@moneyries) August 28, 2014
The fashion police were also out in full force to criticize Obama's look.
Who gave President Obama that old church suit from my dad's closet? — Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 28, 2014
Obama vows to defeat whoever made him wear this suit. pic.twitter.com/zoqj7OVFRe — Josh Barro (@jbarro) August 28, 2014
Obama's getting one more summer suit in before Labor Day. pic.twitter.com/lugOuiCNVP — NowThis (@nowthisnews) August 28, 2014
Obama wearing what was almost certainly the 4th suit he selected in his Jos A Bank “Buy One Get 3 Free” purchase — Jason O. Gilbert (@gilbertjasono) August 28, 2014
Not only is Obama wearing a tan suit, it seems way too big for him too. It looks like he's about to be bar mitzvahed in Miami. — Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) August 28, 2014
And of course, the puns were ripe for the picking.
The Audacity of Taupe pic.twitter.com/3EC7NN0By8 — Jared Keller (@jaredbkeller) August 28, 2014
Yes We Tan — Brett LoGiurato (@BrettLoGiurato) August 28, 2014
Some took this as an opportunity to make a dig at Obama's time as president.
This suit is the boldest thing Obama's done in months. — Hunter Walker (@hunterw) August 28, 2014
"Do you really want this to be your legacy, Mr. President?" "I have an obligation to the people of both the US and Iraq—" "I MEAN THE SUIT" — Tim Carmody (@tcarmody) August 28, 2014
Others questioned the media's coverage of a seemingly trivial subject matter, especially considering everything else that is going on in the world. Well, this is awkward...
ICYMI:North America's recent top headlines: Neil Young Divorce, Britney break up, Brad/Angelina married, Obama tan suit. Somebody send help. — Matt Wells (@mattawells) August 30, 2014
While Americans are being beheaded in Isis, news coverage focuses on what a nice suit Obama wore. #themediapriority #wtf — Allison Bloomfield (@AliBloomfield22) August 30, 2014
Im sorry, but why is it headline news that the President wore a Tan suit? — Jordan. (@SponJoJo) August 30, 2014
All the things that are happening in the world and #America is upset over the President's tan suit?! REALLY AMERICA?! — CYNTH© (@CynsCityFlair) August 30, 2014
Some thought it was refreshing to see a male politician finally experience the same type of criticism for his appearance as female politicians.
Twitter treated him just like a woman politician! #loveit RT @HuffingtonPost: That suit though https://t.co/FuEwIQ6oj3 pic.twitter.com/cWsQPbegh0
— Real Virginian (@RealVirginian) August 29, 2014
Obama in tan = a man in politics treated like a woman. Review of his shoes would equalize. https://t.co/0I9wto6w06 #TxLege #tx2014 — Sandie Haverlah (@SandraHaverlah) August 29, 2014
A select few even liked Obama's outfit choice... we think.
mr. president is looking dapper in that suit.
— sassy democrat (@sassy_dem) August 28, 2014
obama’s beautiful suit — Anne Helen Petersen (@annehelen) August 28, 2014
The White House responded, "He loves that suit." White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest also said, "The president stands squarely behind the decision he made yesterday to wear his summer suit," at a press briefing on Aug. 29.
And so the next great polarizing political debate has begun.
