Melania Trump responds to backlash after wearing ‘colonial’ helmet in Africa
Melania Trump has responded to the criticism that she received when she was pictured wearing a pith helmet in Africa.
The first lady’s decision to wear the hat led some to accuse her of having an “outdated understanding” of Africa, due to the association between the headwear and colonial rule in the continent.
Download the Microsoft News app for your Android or iPhone device and get news & live updates on the go. Follow our Lifestyle section in English and Hindi.
When questioned about the controversy in Egypt as part of her first international solo tour since her husband was sworn into office as president, Ms Trump expressed her wish for people to stop focusing on her clothes.
© Provided by Independent Digital News & Media Limited
“I want to talk about my trip and not what I wear.
“That’s very important what I do, what we’re doing with USAID and what I do with my initiatives.
“I wish people would focus on what I do, not what I wear.”
(Video provided by The Washington Post)

-
Lawmakers, pundits react to Trump’s state of emergency declarationSeveral pundits and politicians had strong reactions to the announcement of President Trump’s state of emergency declaration. Congress passed a spending bill Feb. 14 providing $1.375 billion for 55 miles of fencing along the border.
The Washington Post
-
Late-night hosts react to possible national emergency over border wallSenate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Feb. 14 that President Trump will sign the border deal to avoid a shutdown and will also declare a national emergency. Late-night hosts had a lot to say.
The Washington Post
-
How Trump keeps losing money for his wallEach time President Trump turned down money for his wall, he ended up with less money than he started with.
The Washington Post
-
Lawmakers, pundits react to Trump’s state of emergency declaration
-
Late-night hosts react to possible national emergency over border wall
-
How Trump keeps losing money for his wall
-
How Ocasio-Cortez and others pushed Amazon out of New York
-
The Oscars won’t have a host this year. Here’s what you’ll miss.
-
Melania Trump visits children's hospital on Valentine's Day
-
To avoid another shutdown, Republicans stop blaming Pelosi and start urging Trump
-
Ignore the spin. Here’s what’s actually in the funding bill.
-
Pompeo says Iran had 'no defenders' at Middle East peace conference
-
Pompeo says Europe has worked with U.S. against Iran in 'lots of places'
-
Valentine's Day off to a rocky start? They've had it worse.
-
Experienced couples give relationship advice
-
'It's his fault': How Trump blames Obama
-
Protesters in Belgium demand action on climate change
-
Pence to troops in Poland: 'We will defend our freedom'
-
A play-by-play of Kamala Harris admitting she smoked weed
The pith helmet was frequently worn by military personnel from countries including Britain, France, Spain and Italy while commanding colonial armies, which is why many people found Ms Trump’s choice to wear it in Africa highly contentious.
Melania completes the stereotype trifecta--elephants, orphans and even the pith helmet.....#FLOTUSinAfrica2018 @africasacountry @AFP @AP pic.twitter.com/TkgFb3w4yY
— Matt Carotenuto (@matt_carotenuto)October 5, 2018
While Ms Trump has stated that she’d prefer for people to focus more on her actions than her sartorial choices, some people have explained why she needs to be taking greater responsibility when she wears clothes that cause controversy.
“.@FLOTUS we don’t want to talk about your fashion choices either. We’d rather talk about the message you send with your fashion choices,” one person tweeted.
“The pith helmet in Africa was a terrible look, and the ‘I Really Don’t Care’ jacket at the border was pretty awful. Colonialism is your thing?”

-
"'We need more diversity in boardrooms', says Chinyere Ezie who brought Prada 'blackface' display to light"""
The Independent
-
"Mars crater: 50-mile-wide chasm full of ice revealed in images beamed back from spacecraft"""
The Independent
-
"Priyanka Chopra explains why she took Nick Jonas' last name"""
The Independent
-
"'We need more diversity in boardrooms', says Chinyere Ezie who brought Prada 'blackface' display to light"
-
"Mars crater: 50-mile-wide chasm full of ice revealed in images beamed back from spacecraft"
-
"Priyanka Chopra explains why she took Nick Jonas' last name"
-
"Leslie Knope explains Galentine's Day on Parks and Recreation"
-
"Five Dos and Don'ts of online dating"
-
"Donald Trump blames video games and movies for violent acts"
-
"Love Island's Zara McDermott discusses being paid to promote products on social media for BBC Panorama investigation"
-
"Rihanna shares her first ever concealer makeup tutorial for her line Fenty Beauty "
-
"Marks and Spencer launch 'Love Sausage' for Valentine's Day"
-
"BAFTAs 2019: Letitia Wright wins Bafta Rising Star award and thanks God for helping her through depression"
-
"GP Dr Zoe Williams interrogates the contraceptive pill - exploring latest scientific research and investigating the future of birth control"
-
"John Legend talks to Jimmy Fallon about being trolled by Chrissy Teigen"
-
"Jeff Bezos predicts we'll have 1 trillion humans in the solar system"
-
"Samsung Galaxy S10: Five best features to expect in the new smartphone "
“For a woman that knows fashion, she knows fashion speaks and sends messages, political or otherwise,” another person commented.
“Own your responsibility in your wardrobe choices.”
Earlier this year, the first lady came under fire for wearing a jacket adorned with the slogan “I Really Don’t Care, Do U?” while visiting children at the US-Mexico border who’d been separated from their parents.
Suggested: Melania Trump: Style file (Provided by Photo Services)