Melania Trump's Inauguration Day Hat Is Going Absolutely Viral For A Very Specific Reason

Alexa Lisitza

20 January 2025 at 2:52 pm·2-min read

Today was Donald Trump's inauguration.

A man in a suit with a raised hand takes an oath. He's surrounded by others in formal attire — Kevin Lamarque / POOL/AFP via Getty Images

And while that made today historic in many ways — including by marking the first time a convicted felon has held office as President of the United States — it was kind of hard to focus because of...

Four people in formal coats and suits stand outside a building, flanked by guards — Roberto Schmidt / AFP via Getty Images

...Melania Trump's hat.

Person wearing a large-brimmed hat and formal attire, looking forward with a neutral expression — Bloomberg / Bloomberg via Getty Images

The whole outfit, curated by American designers Adam Lippes and Eric Javits, was very much giving maybe nobody will notice I'm here.

The brim was almost always covering her eyes.

Person in tailored double-breasted coat and wide-brimmed hat with a ribbon, standing with hands clasped — Chip Somodevilla / AFP via Getty Images

And the style led everyone online to make almost the exact same joke — that Melania looks like she's straight out of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" music video.

Two people in suits and fedora hats stand closely in an atmospheric setting. They are looking in opposite directions, creating a dynamic visual

Person in a white suit and hat dances energetically with a group in a nightclub setting

YouTube: Michael Jackson / youtube.com

Melania looking like a smooth criminal https://t.co/Y3cOub03lv
— Ichigo Niggasake (@SomaKazima) January 20, 2025

Scott Olson / Getty Images / Twitter: @SomaKazima

Meli are you ok?Meli are you ok?Are you ok meli? 🎶 https://t.co/x6rPKtAx2d
— just alex (@brokehoeli) January 20, 2025

Scott Olson / Getty Images / Twitter: @brokehoeli

You've been hit byYou've been hit by a smooth criminal https://t.co/PmVgLjXONq
— Jensly ϟ (@JenslyRodriguez) January 20, 2025

Scott Olson / Getty Images / Twitter: @JenslyRodriguez

Annie are you okay https://t.co/sCQeRGB2ju
— pave (@pavaolol) January 20, 2025

Scott Olson / Getty Images / Twitter: @pavaolol

Elsewhere, people joked that Melania's hat choice was meant to serve as the ultimate kiss-blocker.

A person in a wide-brimmed hat receives a cheek kiss from a man in a suit during an event — Bloomberg / Bloomberg via Getty Images

Example A:

for those wondering why Melania chose to wear that goddamn hat, here's your answer: pic.twitter.com/oF9QvpcwaG
— Jessiah (@thepondering_) January 20, 2025

MSNBC / x.com / Twitter: @thepondering_

Example B:

Melania wasn't taking any chances pic.twitter.com/yKI31cAhQH
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) January 20, 2025

Fox News / Twitter: @TheDailyShow

Regardless, I can't look away.

Melania Trump has arrived. pic.twitter.com/agLz1KooUl
— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) January 20, 2025

Scott Olson / Getty Images / Twitter: @CalltoActivism

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