Months after a reporter questioned his outfit during a meeting with the U.S. president, the 47-year-old Ukrainian leader saw him again at the White House, and didn’t let the moment pass.
Just months after being questioned over his choice of attire, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a quick, humorous comeback to Real America’s Voice reporter Brian Glenn during a press conference with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House — and the exchange is now making waves on social media.
The moment brought renewed attention to an earlier exchange between the two. On February 28, 2025, during Zelensky’s visit to the Oval Office, Glenn sharply criticized the Ukrainian leader’s outfit.
“You’re at the highest level in this country’s office, and you refuse to wear a suit,” said Glenn. At the time, Glenn — dressed in a navy blue suit — stood among fellow reporters facing the two presidents.
Glenn followed up by asking if Zelensky even owned a suit and claimed that many Americans viewed his casual attire as disrespectful to the office, referring specifically to the White House.
Zelensky responded directly to the criticism. “I will wear a costume after this war will finish [sic]. Maybe something like yours, yes? Maybe something better, I don’t know. We will see,” he said to Glenn.
Several months later, during another meeting at the White House on August 18, Zelensky and Glenn crossed paths again.
Glenn greeted Zelensky by saying, “You look fabulous in that suit,” referring to his all black outfit. Trump, seated nearby, quipped, “He’s the one that attacked you last time.”
Zelensky smiled and said he remembered the journalist. Glenn continued, “I apologize to you, you look wonderful.” The Ukrainian official, still in good spirits, pointed at him and replied with a light tone, “You’re in the same suit…You see, I changed. You did not.”
The moment was widely shared online and quickly drew reactions across platforms.
Under a video of the exchange posted by TRT World on Facebook, several viewers shared their thoughts on Zelensky’s handling of the moment.
One viewer commented, “His sense of humor is good…” while another labeled the moment, “Embarrassing.” A third said, “Zelensky you look good in anything you wear. A very attractive man.”
More online reactions poured in under the Yahoo! News Facebook page. “This is so petty,” someone else remarked, followed by another viewer’s sarcastic comment, “First rate [sic] journalist right there 🙄.” Meanwhile, a supporter praised Zelensky’s response, “‘You’re in the same suit’… epic comeback.”
Over on Instagram, viewers also weighed in. One wrote, “This was another embarrassing moment for the administration.” Some defended Zelensky’s appearance, “No matter what he wears – it’s fine. He doesn’t need a suit …. He looked fine and comfortable the way he wants to.” Another added, “At least he apologized, better than nothing.”
The discussion around Zelensky’s wardrobe extended beyond social media. Ahead of the August 18 meeting, Ukrainian designer Elvira Gasanova, who has previously worked with Zelensky, said she expected him to choose a more formal outfit in response to recent criticism.
She believed he would avoid wearing a polo and instead opt for a black military-style suit or similar attire. Gasanova also clarified that he does not work with a personal designer and suggested that his appearance would be more serious this time, though likely less symbolic than in the past.
While designers have commented on Zelensky’s appearance from a style perspective, others see his clothing as deeply symbolic. According to Ukrainian war journalist Illia Ponomarenko, Zelensky’s choice of attire reflects the country’s wartime reality and the identity of those actively involved in the conflict.
Ponomarenko described Zelensky’s outfit as a soft, anti-elitist message. “Even when he meets with kings, he dresses in a way that represents the average Ukrainian involved in this war effort. So it’s a message to say, ‘I’ve come to the corners of power as a representative of my humble people,'” he shared.
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