Robin Givhan

you know, the first time that, you know, someone is going into the voting booth.

Well, I think it's fascinating to me that he had such an acute understanding of the way in which visuals can deliver a message without ever having to open your mouth.

I mean, he certainly is someone who, I mean, he has this entertainer's background.

And his choice to not wear a suit, to wear this kind of almost workman sort of military garb, I think one certainly sends a message of,

connection to the citizens of Ukraine, I think it underscores the role that he was forced into having as this wartime president.

And I think it was also kind of a

a rebuke to an administration that would like to sort of proceed sort of business as usual, that would like to sort of remove the stature that he has from having to deal with, grapple with, overcome, you know, these sort of terrible, these terrible circumstances.

And, you know, I think it was also a way of setting him apart and saying,

I'm not just, quote unquote, another politician.

This is not politics, even if he obviously is having to engage in politics.

And the fact that that was called out as a kind of insult to the occupant of the Oval Office, I think underscores

the degree to which appearances matter to the current president of the US in a way that is very different.

I think that, you know, Zelensky's choice is about allowing his substance to come through in his attire.

And the reverse, I think, can also be true in which you allow the attire

to substitute for substance.

You know, I have been, I'm always, I've always been sort of fascinated by the fact that, you know, much of, much of what he wears is certainly pricey, expensive.

and yet doesn't necessarily look so.

I mean, there's this sort of understanding that you think, oh, if you spend a lot of money on something, then it's going to sort of fit you perfectly, and it's going to just sort of scream sort of quality and prestige.

And, you know, that's not necessarily the case.

I mean, it's the old adage that