Trump’s Mis-Sized Oxford Gifts to Allies Turn Into Viral Meme

Overview

• Reporting by the Wall Street Journal and New York Times says the president often guesses recipients’ shoe sizes, resulting in gifts that sometimes do not fit.
• Photos of oversized dress shoes worn by officials spread widely online after a December meeting where JD Vance and Marco Rubio received pairs.
• According to the White House and news accounts, Trump has an aide place the orders and at times signs the box or includes a thank-you note.
• Comedian Bill Maher mocked the episode on television, quipping that Marco Rubio was left in “clown shoes,” as memes proliferated on X.
• The gifts are Florsheim Oxfords from the Chicago brand, with U.S. listings around $145, spurring consumer guides and price comparisons in international coverage.