US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been seen wearing ill-fitting shoes, reportedly a gift from President Donald Trump. The shoes, a brand favoured by Trump, are said to be too large for Rubio, leading to speculation about the president's motives. Vice President JD Vance previously recounted that Trump often asks about shoe sizes, claiming it reveals character. Vance himself said he wears size 13.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also received a pair, and all three men are reportedly afraid not to wear them. A White House official told the Wall Street Journal: "It's hysterical because everybody's afraid not to wear them." The shoes have become a symbol of submission to Trump's authority, with observers noting the contrast to past secretaries of state like John Quincy Adams and George Marshall.
Hegseth, known for his tattoo-covered arms and strained suits, recently banned press photographers from the Pentagon briefing room after complaining about "unflattering" photos. This move comes amid reports that the US was responsible for a Tomahawk missile strike on an Iranian elementary school, which Hegseth has not acknowledged.
Vance, meanwhile, has shown lukewarm support for the war on Iran, suggesting possible tensions within the administration. The shoe gifts highlight the mix of vanity and indignity required of Trump's inner circle, as they navigate future presidential ambitions while enduring public humiliations.
