Casey DeSantis, Florida's first lady, and 'woke' leather jacket. Like, dislike or 'don't really care?'
Casey DeSantis is making waves online − for something she wore.
At a Roast and Ride campaign event in Iowa on June 3, Florida's First Lady donned a leather jacket with an alligator on the back, an outline of the state of Florida and the message: "Where woke goes to die."
And just in case you missed what Gov. Ron DeSantis' wife was wearing, she tweeted about it, too: "Iowa and Florida: Where woke goes to die… ….thanks to the leadership of @KimReynoldsIA and @RonDeSantis."
Iowa and Florida: Where woke goes to die…
….thanks to the leadership of @KimReynoldsIA and @RonDeSantis. pic.twitter.com/G1F4Y4NZrJ— Casey DeSantis (@CaseyDeSantis) June 4, 2023
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Most people can agree: Leather jackets are cool. Alligators are so Florida. And political statements on clothing are a fundamental exercise of Freedom of Speech.
Casey DeSantis’ leather jacket and its message are trending on social media.
And not in a good way.
Since the campaign stop was in the spirit of a motorcycle ride − leather jackets, jeans, boots, motorcycles, all welcome − it would seem Casey DeSantis dressed the part to support her husband, who launched his bid for the 2024 presidential election. The 44-year-old governor wed the former television host in 2009, and the couple have two daughters and a son.
Here's what we know about Casey DeSantis and the fashion statement jacket.
Another famous fashion statement jacket. Melania Trump wore a jacket that read ‘I really don’t care. Do u?’ on the way to immigrant children shelter
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Where did Casey DeSantis wear the "woke" leather jacket?
On Sunday, June 3, the DeSantises traveled to the Iowa State Fairgrounds for U.S Sen. Joni Ernst's annual Roast and Ride Fundraiser. This year's event, attended by an estimated 900 people, raised money for the Freedom Foundation, a veterans assistance nonprofit based in Cedar Rapids.
Former Vice President Mike Pence was the only presidential candidate to ride a motorcycle with Iowa's junior Senator, leading more than 200 motorcyclists on an 8-mile ride to the fairgrounds.
Ron DeSantis arrived with his super PAC's "Don't Back Down Bus." In the 86-degree heat, Casey DeSantis sported the fitted leather jacket embroidered with the alligator, the outline of Florida and the phrase, "Where woke goes to die."
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First lady fashion statements
Thank you @joniernst for hosting us at your Roast and Ride!
The kids had a great time on their first trip to Iowa, we’ll see you again soon! pic.twitter.com/NikyFjYY5S— Casey DeSantis (@CaseyDeSantis) June 3, 2023
Casey DeSantis, who has been Florida's First Lady since 2019, and her leather jacket reminded many people of another jacket, worn by another First Lady, that caused a stir on social media.
On June 21, 2018, former first lady Melania Trump arrived at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, wearing a Zara jacket that read, "I don't really care. Do U?" after visiting the Upbring New Hope Children Center run by the Lutheran Social Services of the South in McAllen, Texas. She later explained it was "for the people and for the left-wing media who are criticizing me."
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Contributing: Galen Bacharier, Virginia Barreda and Francesca Block, Des Moines Register
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Casey DeSantis, 'where woke goes to die' leather jacket: What we know