A version of this story appeared in CNN’s What Matters newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here.
The fact that President Donald Trump was photographed flashing a suit tag from a bargain brand of imported suits should not really be news.
Any woman in politics would tell you we should not dwell on how a politician dresses.
But the fact that Trump, a billionaire, was photographed wearing a suit jacket with tags from Jos. A. Bank, the relatively inexpensive brand, is interesting for a number of reasons.
CNN has reached out to the White House for comment.
Does the man who bought his own private club at Mar-a-Lago buy suits at the mall?
This is the president who sells a $100,000 watch with his name on it and who allegedly inflated his net worth to be included on the Forbes list of billionaires. Status symbols are important to him.
He has bedazzled the White House in gold leaf and Corinthian marble and is using taxpayer money, along with donations, to build one of the largest ballrooms on earth. All evidence suggests he likes to appear to be surrounded by the finest things.
He accepted the gift of a $400 million luxury jet from Qatar to serve as his Air Force One. But he’s wearing the suit of a sensible sedan driver?
The tags on Trump’s suit bear some resemblance to the Traveler collection of suit separates from Jos. A. Bank. The big and tall variant in black is currently on sale for $279. Advertised as wrinkle- and stain-resistant, it would be a good choice for a trip across the country.
Jos. A. Bank is part of a larger conglomerate, Tailored Brands, which also owns Men’s Wearhouse. The larger brand does have some products made in the US, like those from its Joseph Abboud brand, which retail for $700. Jos. A. Bank has an American Bespoke line, which is also advertised as being made in the USA, but the tags featured on the brand’s website differ from those flashed by Trump.
That means Trump’s suit was likely made in China or Bangladesh — perhaps not the right message for a president who has promised the return of American manufacturing.
The American-made ties by Vineyard Vines advertised on Trump’s online store retail for $125. But that’s just a tie.
Just as Trump’s detractors have mocked his very long ties or the overcoat and gloves he wore to greet China’s leader Xi Jinping on a mild Washington afternoon last month, they have also seen reason to pounce on his budget-friendly suit.
It’s possible Americans struggling with the affordability crisis might find the choice down-to-earth and relatable, although Trump is hardly struggling. He should be able to afford any suit he wants.
His family business has seen investments in cryptocurrency pay off to the tune of more than $1 billion, according to financial disclosures. His company is selling early access to his social media posts, suggesting Wall Street firms who can afford to pay for access will want to use the information to cash in. He is pushing Americans to embrace data centers that could benefit companies in which he is invested.
A conspiracy theorist like Trump could wonder if him flashing an inexpensive suit tag might be something done on purpose, to make him appear of the people.
That’s been done before — think back to Al Gore’s sweaters or John Kerry’s camouflage hunting jacket or even George H. W. Bush’s cowboy boots.
But it’s doubtful this was anything so calculated. Video of Trump opening his suit jacket shows that it occurred during a moment when he was dancing onstage.
Taken along with the news earlier this year that Trump apparently bought Florsheim shoes, another relatively inexpensive brand of workwear, for members of his Cabinet, it may simply mean that Trump’s sartorial sensibility is mellowing with age.
Trump said the Florsheim shoes were “spiffy” and an improvement over sneakers, a no-no for a Cabinet member.
Back in 2016, when he was first running for president, his aide told The New York Times that Trump wore the Italian luxury brand Brioni, “among others.” Trump had previously talked about buying those suits “off the rack.”
Brioni had furnished Trump’s suits during his time on The Apprentice. At the time, Trump owned a new luxury hotel in DC and Brioni had a shop there. Trump has since sold the hotel and Brioni has closed the shop.
Some others might have wondered if Trump had some incentive to rep the Jos. A. Bank brand. He did, after all, sell swatches from the suit in which he posed for his mug shot in Georgia. He’s sold Bibles, watches, steaks, wine, water — you name it.
But the piece of clothing that will always be most associated with Trump is the red MAGA hat, the symbol of his populist following, now for sale at his online store for $55 and made in America.
CNN’s Tristen Rouse contributed to this analysis.
This headline has been updated.
