She was labeled out of touch and disrespectful by critics after traveling to Texas earlier this to tour flood zones in a pair of towering black stilettos.
But Melania Trump had a clear message for naysayers on Saturday as she made her second trip to the disaster-struck state – the high heels are here to stay.
Defiant as she emerged from the White House, the first lady strode confidently towards Marine One in her $1590 Ralph Lauren safari shirt dress and a pair of $650 Manolo Blahnik snakeskin pumps.
Clinging to her husband for some support as her stiletto point dug in to the grass on the South Lawn, she turned her back on a wave of criticism she received on Tuesday during her first visit to Harvey-hit regions.
Melania Trump was defiant in her choice of wardrobe on Saturday to visit Texas, opting for the same Manolo Blanhik pump which sparked outrage earlier in the week but this time in a more elaborate snakeskin pattern
As the hurricane continued beating rain down on Houston, swamping entire neighborhoods and leaving thousands clambering to their roofs to be rescued, Melania emerged from the White House on Tuesday morning in a black version of the heels she wore on Saturday, a bomber jacket and some oversized sunglasses.
Once they had landed in Texas, she changed in to a more appropriate outfit of pants, a white shirt and sneakers.
Her cap, which had FLOTUS stitched on the front, offended many given the grave circumstances in Houston where the bodies of victims floated through flood water and where the only way out was by boat or aircraft.
The high heels worn earlier in the day however dominated conversation about the president’s visit to the afflicted state and divided opinion.
‘Who wears high heels to a flood ravaged community?’ was one of the complaints before she changed into her shiny white sneakers.
Melania opted for a pair of $650 snakeskin Manolo Blahnik BB pumps to board Marine One
On Tuesday, the first lady received criticism for wearing this outfit to travel to Texas in the midst of Hurricane Harvey
On Tuesday, Melania changed in to this more casual outfit (left). Her hat attracted criticism however, given the circumstances. On Saturday, she changed in to this outfit (right) and wore a different hat
There was some criticism on Saturday, with some claiming her outfit was even worse than earlier in the week
There was a dose of fresh outrage on Saturday when she emerged in her second set of pumps.
‘Melania in heels again. Does she know it’s flood week and not fashion week in TX? Maybe she’ll emerge in her white sneakers again?’ said one deflated Twitter user.
Some said the outfit was even worse than her first attempt.
‘Melania in her heels & a dress this time. Trumps are a total fail at optics. A big FU to hurricane victims.’
Their complaints were in the minority, however.
Elsewhere, there was resounding approval for the look from her fans. Supporters praised Melania for not giving in to the flack and celebrated her as a ‘troll master and ‘bada**.’
‘FLOTUS Melania stayed true to herself & to HELL with the haters, as she boarded Air Force One in high heels! She’s a troll master! Love her!’
There was resounding approval from her fans on Saturday who praised her as a ‘troll master’
Others observed: ‘Melania is trolling with those heels’.
There was no sign of mischief from the first lady throughout the day. She was sincere as she gave out food to evacuees at the NRG Stadium and upbeat as she played with children.
Getting stuck in with her husband, the pair lugged cases of water on to the back of trucks and caravans which had lined up at a church in the neighborhood of Pearland later.
Online, she said nothing of the debate on her clothes but shared a photograph of her offending outfit from the morning, writing alongside it: ‘Departing for #Houston and #Louisiana #HurricaneHarvey.’
After Tuesday’s backlash, her spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said: ‘It’s sad that we have an active and ongoing natural disaster in Texas, and people are worried about her shoes.’
In Houston, Melania got stuck in with the hard work. She loaded up waiting cars and vans with cases of water at a church in Pearland (above)
She also gave out foot to waiting evacuees in Houston while the president took photos with fans