Donald Trump’s funeral outfit defended after photo reveals full context

Trump Slammed for Breaking Funeral Dress Code — But the Full Picture Tells a Different Story

At first, critics accused Donald Trump of breaking the dress code at Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday, April 26. However, once uncropped images surfaced, many rushed to his defense.

Attendees Included Global Leaders

Trump joined other world figures in Vatican City, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, Prince William, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

But despite the high-profile gathering, attention quickly turned to Trump’s outfit.

The Blue Suit Controversy

Photos showed Trump wearing a blue suit, leading many online to claim he disrespected the dress code. Official guidelines requested men wear dark suits with a black tie and a black button on the left lapel.

Meanwhile, Melania Trump, a devout Catholic, wore a traditional black dress and veil.

A wider picture revealed that a number of people had also worn blue suits (TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump’s Odd Announcement Sparks Criticism

Before the funeral, Trump posted an unusual message on X:
“Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome. We look forward to being there!”

The wording raised eyebrows. Combined with the suit debate, criticism grew quickly.

Cropped Photo Misled Viewers

As it turns out, many world leaders also wore non-black suits. A widely circulated image had been cropped to show only Trump in blue, fueling the backlash. But a wider shot revealed others—including Prince William—wore similar attire.

One user on X defended Trump:
“This is for all of the idiots complaining about President Trump wearing a blue suit… Prince William, President Erdoğan, et al. They are literally grasping at straws.”

Another posted:
“I see at least 30 people in non-black attire. They cropped the photo to target Trump. That’s dishonest.”

Tension Between Pope and Trump

Trump and Pope Francis have clashed in the past. Ahead of Trump’s first term, he pushed for a wall at the U.S.–Mexico border. The Pope criticized the stance, stating:
“A person who thinks only about building walls… is not Christian. This is not in the Gospel.”