Before Donald Trump decided to run for president in the 2016 race after his first attempt in 2000, he had a few other ventures — Trump Hotels and Trump International Realty among other money-making businesses — going on in his life.
He seems to have tried everything, from being a reality television star to a presidential nominee, so it comes as no surprise he took a swing at his own clothing line, the Donald J. Trump Collection.
A quick glance at Trump’s apparel collection tells even the most untrained eye this man wanted to run for president. His clothing line has the proper attire for nearly every phase of running for office.
Trump’s yellow and blue checkered, button-down dress shirt and pair of gray cotton slacks could easily be the perfect outfit for a day on the campaign trail.
His line also meets the requirements for more formal events, such as a presidential debate. Row after row of charcoal gray, dark navy and deep black variations of suits scream a politician’s uniform. The perfect imitation is complete with any of Trump’s wide array of striped, checkered or solid colored ties matched with cuff links.
Trump is well aware that his line fits the look of a politician. He even wore his own electric blue signature Donald J. Trump Collection necktie during the first presidential debate.
Yes, Trump, if this were a race determined by who dresses like the next president, perhaps you’d have a solid chance of winning. However, while your attire eerily resembles the appearance of a politician, clothes can only cover up so much.
Indeed, Trump’s selection of a navy suit, a signature Republican red tie and that timeless American flag pin placed over his heart looks like the attire worn by countless candidates, such as George W. Bush or Mitt Romney, before him.
The differences between Trump and Bush may not be noticeable by Trump’s convincing physical appearance as a qualified politician. However, unlike Bush, Trump wasn’t a governor of a state for five years before running for president. In fact, he hasn’t been any type of elected official to prepare or quite frankly even be qualified to take on the job as the next president.
Beyond the fact that no matter how fancy a dress shirt or shiny a shoe he produces, he doesn’t have the qualifications to be the president of the single most powerful country in the world. It’s his perspective that is even more worrisome about putting the future of the United States in his hands.
In the description of Trump’s fragrance Success it says, “Success By Trump captures the spirit of the driven man.” Is this what you consider yourself, Trump? A driven man?
While, yes, our future president should be driven, perhaps Trump’s definition of this word is very different. If a driven man is a man who is driven to grab women inappropriately, driven to build a wall to solve problems and driven to bully others on social media as a form of self-defense, then neither Trump nor his clothing line and fragrances actually fit the bill for the next president of the U.S.
Trump, please don’t dress the part if you can’t play the part.
apoudrie@indiana.edu
