Mike Francesa, a prominent sports radio host from WFAN in New York, known for his influence on sports discourse during his 30-year career, surprisingly expressed his dislike for First Lady Melania Trump’s navy hat. The hat was part of her outfit at President Donald Trump’s 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, known for his dominance of New York’s afternoon radio from 1989 to 2017 before shifting to podcasting, rarely speaks on matters outside of sports. The 70-year-old’s fashion critique is an unusual divergence from his typical sports commentary.
The hat, created by renowned New York-based hat designer Eric Javits, quickly became a focal point of the inauguration. It was worn with a navy silk wool double-breasted coat, silk wool pencil skirt, and ivory silk crepe blouse, all designed by independent American fashion designer Adam Lippes. The hat’s wide brim interfered with the traditional inaugural kiss, generating much online discussion.
The hat inspired a significant reaction on social media, with users drawing comparisons to iconic characters such as Carmen Sandiego and Spy vs. Spy. The hat’s prominence led to a viral moment, resulting in over 500,000 tweets within hours of the inauguration.
Eric Javits, who has been a staple in Manhattan’s fashion scene since 1985, defended his design. He described the hat as sophisticated and elegant, well-suited to the solemn and grand event. Javits emphasized the hat’s symbolic value, explaining that it was designed to reflect a blend of tradition and modernity for this pivotal moment. He expressed immense pride in contributing to the First Lady’s ensemble, describing it as an honor and a deeply touching experience.
Francesa’s critique came at a time when he was dealing with a physical injury. He explained to his listeners that he had sustained a significant head injury earlier in the day 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 explained. “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, along with Chris Russo, started the sports radio talk show Mike and the Mad Dog in 1989 on WFAN in New York City. The show, which ran until 2008, is considered one of the most successful sports talk radio programs in American history. Francesa now hosts a podcast available on various streaming platforms.
