I meant no harm – Conway
WHITE House adviser Kellyanne Conway insisted Tuesday she meant no disrespect when she was photographed with her feet on a sofa in the Oval Office – triggering an uproar on social media.
In an image captured by an AFP photographer, and which sparked an uproar on social media, Conway appears on the couch with her shoes on as President Donald Trump poses for a photo with leaders of historically black colleges and universities.
“I was being asked to take a picture in a crowded room with the press behind us,” Conway said.
“I was asked to take a certain angle and was doing exactly that. I certainly meant no disrespect, I didn’t mean to have my feet on the couch,” she said.
The image of Conway trended on social media, with many Twitter users berating her for what they described as a lack of respect in the Oval Office.
Wall Street Journal columnist, Bret Stephens was among those who criticised Conway, suggesting that Trump’s own camp would not have tolerated such a casual stance from previous administrations.
“If Rice or Jarrett had sat like this in Oval Office, conservatives would have screamed themselves hoarse for weeks. Now we own trashy,” he wrote, referring to previous presidential aides.
Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama repeatedly took flak for photos in which he appeared to be relaxing – with his feet on his desk.
Critics had also chastised Obama for unbuttoning the previous Oval Office dress code that called for a suit jacket and tie. — AFP