Trump Issues New Dress Code

President Donald Trump says he has been personally giving dress shoes to members of his administration, explaining that he prefers Cabinet officials to maintain a more formal appearance rather than showing up in sneakers. During a Friday appearance on The Brian Kilmeade Show, Trump confirmed reports that he has been handing out polished footwear to senior officials. “When they tell me they have a problem, I say, ‘Let me get you a pair of shoes,’” the president said, adding that he enjoys the gesture and believes it helps officials present themselves in a more polished way.

A report earlier in the week from The Wall Street Journal said Trump has been distributing dress shoes to agency leaders, lawmakers, advisers and other VIPs. The outlet reported that the president had taken a liking to classic leather oxfords from Florsheim, which typically retail for around $145. Trump pushed back on the idea that he is particularly attached to the brand, though he acknowledged it’s “a nice shoe.” Critics recently mocked photos of Marco Rubio wearing what appeared to be oversized dress shoes, but Trump said the footwear initiative simply reflects his preference for a traditional look. “Sneakers are great,” he said, “but I don’t want my Cabinet members wearing sneakers — so I give them a pair of shoes.”

The footwear conversation also revived attention around Trump’s own venture into the sneaker market. In 2024, he unveiled a line of branded shoes at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia, including mid-top models priced around $199 and a gold high-top version starting at roughly $399.