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Facing declining approval ratings among New Yorkers, Mayor Eric Adams appears to be losing public confidence. However, Adams has openly stated where he is currently placing his faith: in God. This instance of political messaging through attire highlights a growing trend of politicians using graphic tees in politics to connect with voters and convey messages directly.
Mayor Adams Displays “In God We Trust” T-Shirt Amidst Re-election Speculation
On Tuesday, Mayor Adams, who recently announced he would seek re-election potentially as an independent candidate, not as a Democrat, attended a press briefing wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the phrase “In God We Trust” positioned above an American flag. This wardrobe choice immediately sparked discussion about political fashion and its significance.
“This attire is not for campaigning; this attire represents my life,” Mr. Adams declared to journalists when questioned about the white shirt. The shirt’s simple design suggested a casual, perhaps even souvenir-like origin.
“I endured immense difficulty for 15 months, and my sole source of support was God,” Adams explained, referencing the recent dismissal of federal corruption allegations against him earlier this month.
The Rise of the Graphic Tee in Political Arenas
Mayor Adams is not alone in utilizing the graphic T-shirt within formal political settings. The trend of slogan t-shirts as a form of political expression is becoming increasingly visible.
Democratic Counter-Protest Through Clothing
During a prime-time address by President Trump in early March, a group of Democratic representatives employed slogan T-shirts as a visual rebuttal to the president’s talking points. Several Democrats prominently displayed the word “Resist.” Representative Maxwell Frost of Florida, the first Gen-Z member of Congress, sported a tee reading “No Kings Live Here,” making a bold statement through political apparel.
Elon Musk’s “Tech Support” Statement
Elon Musk, in his capacity as a presidential advisor during the Trump administration, introduced informal attire into the West Wing. In February, while addressing department heads during a cabinet meeting, Musk wore a dark shirt featuring the words “Tech Support.” This example further illustrates the growing acceptance of casual political communication.
With its straightforward font and playful wordplay, the “Tech Support” shirt echoed internet meme culture. Unsurprisingly, the shirt itself quickly became an internet meme circulating on social media platforms. Similar shirts are commercially available online.
Kamala Harris and the “Detroit vs. Everybody” Tee
An earlier instance of the political graphic tee was when Kamala Harris, during a campaign visit to Michigan last October, wore a shirt displaying “Detroit vs. Everybody” under a blazer. This sartorial choice was a direct response to comments made days prior by Mr. Trump who suggested that under a Harris presidency, “Our whole country will end up being like Detroit.” Ms. Harris’s shirt generated significant online buzz, extending its reach beyond her speech.
From Supporter Gear to Politician’s Tool
While political T-shirts have long been worn by supporters, the adoption of graphic tees by politicians themselves marks a shift in political communication strategies.
“This is largely a recent phenomenon, coinciding with politicians becoming more informal and news culture becoming increasingly visual,” commented Peter Loge, Associate Professor of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University.
Political T-Shirts: More Billboard Than Garment
When Mr. Trump popularized the “Make America Great Again” hat, he initiated an era of political messaging characterized by directness, explicitness, and visual prominence. The hat, and now the political t-shirt, serve as wearable billboards.
“The T-shirt effectively communicates ‘this is my stance, I identify with you, I understand you—join me,’” Loge explained.
According to Joel Penney, Associate Professor at the School of Communication and Media at Montclair State University, Mr. Trump has “broken the barrier regarding politicians engaging in overt branding, even in official capacities.” This normalization of political branding through clothing is a significant development.
Hats vs. T-Shirts in the Political Landscape
The preference for T-shirts over hats among politicians suggests the extent to which Mr. Trump has become synonymous with the political cap. Wearing a slogan hat now risks being perceived as directly imitating Trump’s style. Internationally, the political hat has been adapted with slogans like “Canada is Not For Sale,” engaging with political messaging on Trump’s established terms. The political t-shirt trend offers a way to communicate distinct political messages.
Direct and Disruptive Political Language
Politicians across the political spectrum seem to have adopted Trump’s style of direct, easily understood, and sometimes disruptive communication, now extending to their attire.
Similar to the “Make America Great Again” hat, Mr. Frost’s “No Kings Live Here” shirt conveyed a memorable slogan that could also be interpreted as a wearable challenge to political opponents. These political slogan t-shirts act as instant messages.
“The Democratic T-shirts often serve as an expression of anger or frustration,” Loge noted. Frost strategically amplified his shirt’s visibility by walking out during Mr. Trump’s address, ensuring cameras captured the full slogan printed on the back as he departed. The shirt thus functioned as a form of visual protest commentary.
In today’s noisy political environment, capturing attention—using any means, even a simple T-shirt—is prioritized over traditional decorum. This reflects the evolving nature of political communication in the digital age.
Cutting Through the Noise with Wearable Messages
“Media reaches individuals with such speed and intensity that politicians are seeking any means to gain attention,” stated Lori Poloni-Staudinger, Dean in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Arizona. The use of political t-shirts is one such method.
Using clothing to convey messages has proven to be effective in gaining visibility. At the high-profile 2021 Met Gala, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wore a dress with “Tax the Rich” painted on it, generating days of discussion. Similarly, Melania Trump’s infamous “I really don’t care. Do U?” jacket, worn during a visit to an immigration detention center, prompted extensive news coverage and debate about its intended meaning during Mr. Trump’s presidency. These examples underscore the power of fashion as political statement.
T-Shirts, Social Media, and Modern Political Discourse
The emergence of the graphic tee as a politician’s tool also reflects the dominance of social media platforms like X and TikTok over traditional media outlets like television interviews for disseminating political images and news. This shift highlights the changing dynamics of political news consumption. While a news conference where Mr. Adams wore the “In God We Trust” T-shirt may have limited viewership on platforms like YouTube, a single social media post about the shirt can reach tens of thousands.
“If you can communicate a message through your T-shirt or other means, it can capture public attention, at least temporarily,” Ms. Poloni-Staudinger observed.
Loge suggests that this level of simplicity may be precisely what today’s voters prefer in political messaging. Concise and impactful communication is key in the current media landscape.
“Politics is not at the forefront of people’s minds constantly,” Loge commented. “And a T-shirt requires minimal thought. People see it, and they instantly understand.” This immediacy and clarity make political t-shirts an effective communication tool in the modern era.