When Ivanka Trump posted festive photos to mark the Chinese New Year, she was probably hoping for a warm response from her audience. Instead, however, her choice of outfit sparked heated online debate within minutes.
Donald Trump’s 44-year-old daughter posted carefully staged photographs in which she posed in a cream-coloured suit and large diamond earrings, whilst wishing her followers a Happy New Year.
The look appeared elegant, expensive and carefully thought out. However, one particular detail caught the attention of many users — the colour of the outfit.
In Chinese and Vietnamese cultural traditions, the colour white is often associated with mourning and loss. The Lunar New Year celebrations, on the other hand, are usually associated with the colour red, which symbolises good luck, prosperity and blessings for the whole coming year.
The reaction was immediate.
“Completely inappropriate, Ivanka. White is the colour of mourning!” wrote one commenter.
“White? On a day like this? Is she completely ignoring tradition?” added another.
However, not everyone joined in the wave of criticism. Some users pointed out that she had most likely chosen this outfit purely for aesthetic reasons and had not intended it to be offensive in any way. Others, however, insisted that public figures have a duty to be mindful of cultural symbolism, particularly when it comes to significant holidays.
What began as a routine festive greeting very quickly turned into a wider debate about sensitivity, respect for traditions, and how even a single item of clothing can spark a major public outcry in a matter of seconds.
