The US Secretary of Defense’s tie resembling the Russian flag sparks controversy on social media
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sparked widespread controversy on social media after appearing during a meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, wearing a tie bearing the colors of the Russian flag.
The Russian news agency TASS highlighted this striking appearance, noting that the tie Hegseth wore featured clear stripes in white, blue, and red—the same colors as the Russian flag, in the same order—raising widespread questions about the significance of this choice.
Although the American flag featured the same colors, the arrangement and design were enough to raise suspicion, especially since President Trump and most of the officials present wore traditional ties in solid, neutral colors.
A number of social media users believed that Hegseth’s choice of this tie wasn’t random, but rather carried an underlying political connotation, especially in light of the tense relations between Washington and Kyiv and the Trump administration’s controversial stance toward Russia and President Vladimir Putin.
The meeting between Trump and Zelensky came at a time when Ukraine was hoping to obtain Tomahawk missiles from the United States.
However, the meeting ended in stalemate after Trump refused to provide any additional military support, fueling media speculation about the symbolic messages in the political arena.
This isn’t the first time the US Secretary of Defense has sparked controversy with his attire.
Hegseth is known for his unconventional sartorial choices, including tight, color-coordinated suits and over-the-top accessories like socks printed with the US flag.
At his first NATO ministerial meeting last February, he appeared wearing a bright blue suit and a pocket square bearing the American flag, sparking a wave of criticism, compared to the other ministers who wore formal suits in traditional shades of navy and gray.
Some US media commentators called for the minister to be appointed a fashion advisor, while others described him as the “Pentagon’s TV general,” referring to his frequent media appearances and provocative choices.
