At the White House Halloween celebration, amidst a sea of children donning Harry Potter robes, dragon scales, and Disney princess gowns, a curious sight captured attention: President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump appeared as their iconic selves. Their choice wasn’t a spooky or fantastical get-up, but rather a deliberate embrace of their established public personas.
For this administration, the line between a carefully curated costume and everyday couture seems to blur entirely.
As the Trumps distributed candy from wicker baskets, accompanied by the U.S. Air Force Strolling Strings playing popular tunes like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” President Trump maintained his signature look: a blue suit, complete with an American flag lapel pin, a crisp white shirt, a bold red tie, and his familiar ‘USA 45-47’ red baseball cap.
Mrs. Trump sported one of her recognizable military-inspired coats – a sophisticated heathery wool Marni design. Buttoned high and cinched with a prominent belt, the coat featured festive orange leather trim along the front and pockets for a touch of seasonal flair. She completed the ensemble with matching Manolo Blahnik high-heel pumps and her characteristic long, perfectly curled hair.
Together, they presented an image strikingly similar to their own meticulously crafted public avatars.
The absence of a traditional spooky costume from the first family is, in fact, quite common. While a few presidential couples have embraced festive attire – like the Carters in Zorro masks in 1978; Bill and Hillary Clinton went as James and Dolley Madison in 1995; and Michelle Obama wore a leopard look and cat’s ears in 2009 – most tend to favor their standard professional attire.
It’s understandable why. Adopting the guise of a furry creature or a friendly phantom could humanize the first couple, making them appear more relatable. Consider First Lady Jill Biden, a notable enthusiast, who has transformed into a butterfly (2022), her cat Willow (2023), and a giant panda (2024) for White House Halloween events. However, the potential for public amusement might be overshadowed by the risk of ridicule and widespread meme creation, not to mention critics arguing such displays undermine the dignity of a serious office.
Ironically, sticking to his customary presidential attire didn’t entirely shield Mr. Trump from humor. Social media users quipped that no extra horror was needed, as the current state of affairs already provided ample frights.
What truly stands out about the Trumps’ consistent presentation is how they’ve evolved into their own distinct archetypes. Their signature style is instantly identifiable. By Merriam-Webster’s definition, a costume is “an outfit worn to create the appearance characteristic of a particular period, person, place or thing”—and in this sense, their everyday attire is exactly that.
It’s hardly surprising that for a period, ‘Trump costumes’ were among the most sought-after Halloween outfits. The essential elements—a blue suit, white shirt, red tie, and perhaps a blond wig—were all that was needed. Unlike other presidential figures like Richard Nixon or Ronald Reagan, whose costumes often required a mask, Mr. Trump’s attire was so inherently recognizable and easily replicated.
Interestingly, the ‘Trump costume’ phenomenon appeared to reach its peak in 2016 and 2017, notably when hockey star Connor McDavid faced criticism for his Halloween portrayal. Its popularity has since waned, coinciding with a noticeable increase in real-life emulation by many, including cabinet members and numerous Republican members of Congress. What was once a playful Halloween gag has evolved into a clear display of political allegiance.
Just as Mr. Trump has cemented his image as a ‘MAGA emoji,’ the First Lady has established herself as an archetype of a particular feminine style, defined by her long, meticulously styled hair, high heels, and impeccably tailored yet form-conscious attire. These distinctive elements have been widely adopted by several prominent women within the administration.
Some might even find this level of consistent self-representation, and its replication, rather unsettling.