By Tony Bruce & Don Terry | Friday, April 27, 2025 | 4 min read
When the world’s most powerful leaders gathered in St. Peter’s Square to mourn Pope Francis, the ceremony was meant to be somber, steeped in centuries of tradition. But if you looked closely, not all the headlines were about the service itself. Some were about what the dignitaries wore—especially Donald Trump.
True to form, Trump didn’t exactly blend in. Instead of the expected black suit and tie, he showed up in his trademark navy-blue suit, light blue tie, and the familiar American flag pin on his lapel. It was pure Trump—bold, defiant, and unmistakably off-script.
Breaking Protocol or Just Staying On-Brand?
For Vatican ceremonies like this, the dress code isn’t ambiguous. Men are supposed to wear black suits with black ties. Women? Black dresses, gloves, veils—pearls if they must accessorize. The rules have been carved into tradition for decades, aimed at projecting unity, solemnity, and reverence.
So why did Trump—along with Prince William and even President Biden—bend the rules?
First, let’s be honest: Trump rarely wears black. Even at deeply personal events like Ivana Trump’s funeral and Melania’s mother’s service, he stayed loyal to dark blue. Some say it’s branding—Trump’s way of always looking just a little different, a little more “America First.” Others chalk it up to personal comfort. Black has never really been his color.
Then there’s the faith angle. Trump, a self-described nondenominational Christian, and Prince William, tied to the Church of England, aren’t Catholic. In their world, the Vatican’s strict dress code might seem like a strong suggestion—not a commandment.
As for Biden? The Catholic president wore a dark suit but softened tradition with a blue tie. Some saw it as a political wink. Others didn’t even notice. But it wasn’t a full-on rebellion the way Trump’s outfit felt.
Public Reaction: Tone-Deaf or Just Different?
The Internet didn’t take long to light up.
“Why is Trump wearing blue at a papal funeral???” one person posted on X, echoing a sentiment that spread fast.
Critics argued that, regardless of personal beliefs, Trump and others owed it to the Pope—and the global Catholic community—to respect the Vatican’s customs.
Supporters clapped back, saying funeral attire varies across cultures. In many Protestant and secular traditions, dark blue or even charcoal gray are perfectly acceptable. Besides, when has Trump ever been one to follow someone else’s rules?
A Quiet Political Statement?
Some historians went even deeper, suggesting Trump’s blue suit could be read as a quiet act of political theater.
Think back to JFK in 1960, when he had to promise Americans that he wouldn’t be “taking orders from the Pope.” Trump’s version? Show up in blue to a sea of black, a subtle reminder that no matter where he is—even at the Vatican—he answers to no one but himself.
Prince William’s choice to skip all-black could be chalked up to Anglican tradition, where mourning customs are less rigid. But with Trump, you can’t help but wonder if the message was intentional.
A Matter of Respect—or Just Trump Being Trump?
In the end, funerals are about honoring the life of the person who passed, not turning into a fashion tribunal. Sure, some traditionalists bristled at the sight of navy suits and blue ties. But nobody was disrespectful—just, well, different.
Maybe the real takeaway is this: in a world that demands conformity, Trump still refuses to play along—even when the stakes are global and the setting is the holiest of holies.
Look, if we’re being honest, getting hung up on Trump’s suit color feels a little silly right now. With his first 100 days back in office already drowning in scandals, chaos, and lawsuits, his fashion choices seem almost quaint by comparison.
So, let’s give Trump a little slack this time. The man has far bigger problems on his hands—and so do we.
If nothing else, Trump showing up in blue while the world wore black is just another reminder: even in mourning, Donald Trump refuses to be anyone but Donald Trump.
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