Meryl Streep Slams Melania Trump’s “I Really Don’t Care” Jacket… “It Was a Powerful Message”

Actor Meryl Streep (76) launched a sharp critique of the former first lady Melania Trump’s past fashion choices.

■ “Fashion is about expressing oneself… but it’s also subject to historical context”

According to Vogue and reports from international media on the 8th (local time), Streep discussed the power of fashion and political messaging during a recent conversation with Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and director Greta Gerwig. The interview was part of the promotion for the film “The Devil Wears Prada 2”, scheduled to open on May 1.

During the discussion, when Anna Wintour said, “When Melania Trump dresses, she always keeps her true self,” Streep immediately brought up the controversy from 2018. She said, “The strongest message I think the current first lady (Melania) sent was the ‘I Really Don’t Care, Do U?’ jacket she wore while going to see isolated immigrant children.”

She added that, while every outfit is meant to express oneself, we are also exposed to enormous historical and political expectations—highlighting the social weight carried by the clothing of someone in a public position.

■ Critique of “making oneself look smaller,” forced on women in power

Streep also took aim at sexist elements embedded in fashion. She said, “Women with power are expected to bare their arms on TV, while men are often amazed that they can cover themselves with shirts, ties, and suits,” and she analyzed that, “It seems as if there’s a kind of ‘apology’ built into it for women. It’s the pressure to show how small they are.”

■ Melania’s rebuttal… “It’s nothing more than irresponsible attacks by the media”

The controversial jacket in question was one she wore during a visit in June 2018 to a child immigrant detention facility in Texas, where it drew fierce criticism amid the Trump administration’s harsh immigration policies.

In response, Melania Trump again explained through her memoir 〈Melania(Melania)〉, published in 2024, saying, “That phrase was directed not at children, but at left-leaning media outlets that criticize me.” She said, “No matter what I do, I just wanted to show people who criticize me that ‘I don’t care.’” She also criticized the media for distorted reporting.

Meanwhile, Streep is set to return once again as the legendary editor Miranda Priestly in “The Devil Wears Prada 2”, ahead of its worldwide theatrical release on May 1. With her latest comments about fashion and power aligning with the film’s themes, the remarks are drawing even more attention.