Casey DeSantis—the wife of Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis—stirred controversy with a leather jacket she wore during a campaign stop in Des Moines, Iowa.
While her fashion choices have been compared to those of Melania Trump—and earned her the nickname Walmart Melania among Trump's supporters, this particular outfit sparked attention due to the message displayed on the back of the jacket.
While the front featured an American flag patch, the back showcased an embroidered design of the state of Florida with an alligator on top, accompanied by the phrase "Where Woke Goes to Die."
You can see the jacket in the photo below.
The use of the term "woke" in the jacket's message aligns with DeSantis' campaign message, as he frequently employs the term to criticize progressive ideologies.
However, even former Republican President Donald Trump has expressed his confusion and dislike for the term, stating many people struggle to define it.
Casey DeSantis' jacket choice evoked memories of Melania Trump's own controversial fashion moment when she wore a Zara jacket with the message "I Really Don't Care. Do U?" during a visit to a U.S. border immigration center in 2018.
\u201cRT BeschlossDC "\u201cI Really Don\u2019t Care. Do U?\u201d\u2014on way to see detained immigrant children at Texas border, 2018:"\u201d— \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf299.44% Pure ADOS\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf2 (@\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf299.44% Pure ADOS\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf2) 1610697748
Casey DeSantis was swiftly criticized online and compared unfavorably to the already unpopular former First Lady.
\u201cMelania Trump and Casey DeSantis, who wore their tacky jacket better??\u201d— Jules Morgan \ud83e\uddf8 (@Jules Morgan \ud83e\uddf8) 1685815597
\u201cWalmart Melania fits Casey DeSantis well. I didn\u2019t really have an opinion about Casey until she wore this jacket. I\u2019m sure Ron DeSantis made her do it. He dictates to her like he wants to dictate to the rest of us. I now believe she\u2019s a weak woman married to a nasty little man.\u201d— 63 Blue Vet (@63 Blue Vet) 1685979147
\u201cI'm seeing a number of posts saying we shouldn't be attacking "Casey DeSantis." She wore a jacket attacking half of this country. She--and she alone--has taken off the elegant white dinner gloves. She has now stepped into the ring -- her own choice.\u201d— Mayor Pufnstuf (@Mayor Pufnstuf) 1685989767
\u201cCasey DeSantis wore that leather jacket for attention, but it\u2019s the words on it that should get our attention. \u201cWhere woke goes to die.\u201d DIE. \n\nThe word \u201cwoke\u201d is linked to people in the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. \n\nThat slogan isn\u2019t just stupid. \nIt\u2019s dangerous.\u201d— KD \ud83d\udcda\ud83c\udf0e\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83d\udfe7 (@KD \ud83d\udcda\ud83c\udf0e\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83d\udfe7) 1685887349
\u201cThis is what CaseyDeSantis wore during a campaign event today. Reprehensible message echoing Melania\u2019s \u201cI don\u2019t care\u201d jacket. These people don\u2019t belong within a 1,000\u2019miles of the White House. #Floriduh #FloridaDeservesBetter #DontSayDeSantis\u201d— Geula \u2721\ufe0f\ud83d\udc9b\ud83d\udc1d\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83d\udfe6 (@Geula \u2721\ufe0f\ud83d\udc9b\ud83d\udc1d\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83d\udfe6) 1685846699
\u201cCasey DeSantis wore a jacket with "Where woke goes to die." \n\nMelanie wore a jacket with "I REALLY DON'T CARE DO U?"\n\nDr. Jill wore a jacket that said "LOVE." \n\nThe jackets explain the difference between the two parties completely. I choose LOVE and I vote accordingly.\u201d— @297_Aruba_Lover (@@297_Aruba_Lover) 1685893633
\u201c#Casey #DeSantis wore this leather jacket in 85-degree heat in Iowa. What does it say? Pay attention. If they have their way it won't be just #Florida\u201d— Mercedes Montgomery (@Mercedes Montgomery) 1685905993
\u201cOh please! First trying to copy Jackie O and royalty\u2026now using Melania\u2019s playbook\ud83d\ude44Casey DeSantis wore a leather 'Where Woke Goes to Die' jacket in 85-degree weather in Iowa https://t.co/LrlamiKrMD\u201d— \ud835\udcdd\ud835\udcd0\ud835\udcdd\ud835\udcd2\ud835\udcd4\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a (@\ud835\udcdd\ud835\udcd0\ud835\udcdd\ud835\udcd2\ud835\udcd4\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a) 1685936296
While some may argue Casey's fashion statement pleased her husband and resonated with his supporters, others question the substantive value of an anti-woke agenda beyond being a catchy campaign phrase.
From implementing laws that target refugees, Black people and LGBTQ+ Americans to signing a bill making it exceedingly difficult for Floridians to access abortion care, DeSantis' actions have drawn national attention and provoked widespread debate and condemnation.
DeSantis' decision to block schools from teaching certain aspects of history related to race and gender has further fueled concerns about educational equity and inclusivity and he has made no signs of slowing down, pledging to end "woke politics" and liberalism in the United States if elected.
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