Mike Francesa, the legendary WFAN (New York) sports radio host known as the “Sports Pope” during his 30-year reign over New York radio, delivered an unexpected fashion critique of First Lady Melania Trump’s striking navy hat at Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C., on January 20, 2025.
“Melania is stunning. She has great clothes,” Francesa said on his podcast. “She’s a beautiful woman. I did not like her hat. And I usually like hats on women, especially on someone as stylish as she is. I did not like her hat at all. Did not like her hat, that’s it. That was very odd. I just did not like her hat. I saw her walk in, and I did not like her hat.”
Francesa, who dominated New York afternoon radio ratings from 1989 to 2017 at WFAN before transitioning to podcasting, rarely comments on fashion or political matters. The 70-year-old broadcaster’s critique was particularly notable given his focus typically remains on sports, making his fashion commentary a departure from his usual subject matter.
The hat, designed by celebrated New York-based milliner Eric Javits, whose creations have adorned royalty and first ladies for over three decades, became an instant focal point of the inauguration. It was part of a meticulously planned ensemble featuring a navy silk wool double-breasted coat, silk wool pencil skirt, and ivory silk crepe blouse created by independent American designer Adam Lippes. The wide brim of the hat notably interfered with President Trump’s traditional inaugural kiss, creating what would become one of the day’s most discussed moments.
Social media erupted with comparisons to iconic characters, with users likening the First Lady’s silhouette to Carmen Sandiego and Spy vs. Spy. The hat’s dramatic presence sparked a viral moment that generated over 500,000 tweets within hours of the ceremony.
Eric Javits, whose millinery studio has been a prominent part of Manhattan’s fashion scene since 1985, passionately defended his design for the inauguration. He described the hat as a refined and elegant choice that perfectly matched the solemnity and grandeur of the event. Javits highlighted the hat’s more profound symbolic significance, explaining that it was carefully crafted to reflect a blend of tradition and modernity fitting for such a historic moment. He shared his immense pride in being part of the occasion, expressing that the opportunity to contribute to the First Lady’s ensemble was both an honor and an emotionally moving experience, further solidifying his legacy as a celebrated milliner.
The timing of Francesa’s fashion critique was particularly ironic given his own appearance issues that day. The longtime New York media personality explained to listeners that he had suffered a significant head injury earlier when “the wind blew the trunk down on my head and cut my head open” while helping his son Harrison return to school. “Under this bandage I actually need stitches,” Francesa detailed. “But I can’t get stitches because the cut is too wide. It has to heal first. Then they’ll stitch it and re-stitch it when they can re-stitch it. I actually bashed my head open with the trunk of my car today. So, that was my afternoon.”
Francesa’s unexpected fashion critique ignited a broader media discussion, drawing commentary from other prominent voices in the sports world. Stephen A. Smith used his YouTube platform to pivot the conversation toward politics, expressing his disapproval of presidential pardons for individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots. Smith argued that such actions undermine the principles of law and order, suggesting that prioritizing personal loyalty over accountability contradicts the responsibilities of leadership. His remarks added another layer to the ongoing debate surrounding the intersection of politics, accountability, and public figures.
