On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered an impassioned speech to the United States Congress, during which he urged for the implementation of a no-fly zone, asked for additional aircraft and air defense systems, and called for the creation of a new security alliance – even as he vowed Ukraine will never join NATO.
Zelenskyy, who spoke virtually from Kyiv, also thanked President Joe Biden for his "personal involvement" and "sincere commitment to the defense of Ukraine."
The Ukrainian leader has earned respect for his social media posts, in which he is typically plain-spoken and even more plainly dressed. However, following Wednesday's address, investment adviser and financial pundit Peter Schiff questioned Zelenskyy's choice of attire.
"I understand times are hard, but doesn't the President of the #Ukraine own a suit? I don't have much respect for current members of the U.S. Congress either, but I still wouldn't address them wearing a t-shirt. I wouldn't want to disrespect the institution or the Unites States," Schiff (@PeterSchiff) wrote on Twitter.
Critics quickly pounced on Schiff and noted a rather unfortunate typo in his tweet:
"This is one of your worst all time takes. The guy is in the middle of a war zone ducking mortars, Peter, he's not going to be rolling around his garment rack with him. Also you spelled 'United States' wrong," responded @QTRResearch.
Schiff fired back, adding, "With all the replies I never even noticed that typo. He was not in combat on a battle field. Someone powdered his face. Not a hair was out of place, and he was clean shaven with a trimmed beard. He chose to wear that t-shirt. He could have easily chosen something less informal."
Yet, by that point, it seems the damage had been done, as noted by the responses on social media.
Jon Cooper (@joncoopertweets), Democratic strategist and former majority leader of the Suffolk County legislative, tweeted, "Good god, Peter, you’re a complete A**HOLE. I can't believe you haven't deleted this tweet yet."
"He is fighting to save the lives of others, he is putting his life at risk to do so - he could have left but he didn't, that speaks to the man he is he is - you care about what he's wearing, that speaks to the man you are," wrote CBS Sports analyst Amy Trask (@AmyTrask).
Writer John Law (@JohnLawMedia) was even more blunt, "It's only March, but you, sir, have just posted the dumbest thing I'll see on Twitter all year."
"Is this a joke? Kyiv is under brutal assault with mass civilians being killed and Zelenskyy should worry about a suit?," tweeted Olga Lautman (@OlgaNYC1211), senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA).
However, Schiff remained defiant, tweeting, "It's not about impressing anyone. It's just common respect. He is representing his nation, and addressing the U.S. Congress. It's not like his in the battle field personally, and can't bother to put on a suit. He can just reach into the same closet he keeps his t-shirts."
For the record, Zelenskyy does own a suit – and he was even seen clean shaven in his speech at the Munich Security Conference on February 19, just five days before Russia launched its unprovoked attack on Ukraine.
Moreover, Zelenskyy, who vowed to remain in Ukraine's capital, has largely been seen in his same military green t-shirt in multiple media appearances. Media reports suggest he is operating on little sleep, and now lives in a besieged city that is coming under regular attacks.
Schiff may also want to be reminded of José Sanjurjo y Sacanell, the Spanish general who led the July 1936 coup d'etat that started the Spanish Civil War. Sanjurjo was killed in a plane crash, when he tried to fly back to Spain. One of the main reasons for the crash was the heavy luggage that Sanjurjo insisted on bringing with him, as he stated, "I need to wear proper clothes as the new caudillo of Spain."
Likewise, leaders such as Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm II and Italian dictator Benito Mussolini were known for their love of uniforms and well-tailored suits. So perhaps, Zelenskyy, who is fighting for the life of his country and who chooses to wear a t-shirt should be seen as better than those who take the time to simply look good.
