The White House has seen its share of controversies, with some lingering long after presidents exit the Oval Office (just ask Bill Clinton about his 1998 fiasco).

However, for former President Barack Obama, one of his most debated moments wasn’t linked to a scandal involving infidelity or arms agreements.

It revolved around a tan suit.

On August 28, 2014 — exactly a decade ago today — Obama fielded questions during a press conference regarding the U.S. military’s approach to ISIS, stating, “We don’t have a strategy yet.” The topic was crucial, and the situation was eagerly awaited.

The backlash regarding his choice of outfit was swift.

“He looked like he was headed to a party in the Hamptons,” remarked Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., during an interview with CNN back then.

Nowadays, most people — including Obama — find humor in the situation.

“Ten years ago today: President Barack Obama showed up at a White House press briefing wearing a tan suit. A TAN SUIT,” commented CIA officer and presidential briefer David Priess on X. “This was, and remains, the biggest scandal in presidential history—if not in all of human history.”

Here’s the lowdown on “tan suitgate.”

Backlash from the Tan Suit made Headlines

The criticism wasn’t limited to just politicians a decade ago.

Social media and fashion critics also weighed in on Obama’s fashion choice.

“Khaki is rather a vague color,” wrote Vanessa Friedman, chief fashion critic for the New York Times, thus suggesting it was an unusual pick for a discussion about ambiguous military policies.” One former Twitter user speculated, “Obama’s tan suit is a message. We just need to decipher *what he’s trying to convey*.”

In response, the White House stated, “He loves that suit.”

What Sparked the Controversy?

In a political landscape where dark suits are the norm, Obama’s beige jacket drew a lot of attention — and criticism.

Some conservative pundits expressed strong discontent over Obama donning the tan suit during a press conference that tackled a significant national security matter — the potential increase of U.S. military action against ISIS in Syria.

“I believe it shocked many,” expressed Lou Dobbs, a prominent host at Fox Business Network at that time.

The suit was also a stark deviation from Obama’s usual attire of gray or blue suits, making it all the more noticeable.

“You have the entire world tuning in, waiting for over a week to learn about what the United States’ plan will be; then to see him walk out – I’m not belittling the matter – but in a light-colored suit, a tan suit,” King elaborated in another interview with Newsmax, “indicating that he first wants to address what matters to Americans, and that’s centered on the second-quarter economic numbers.”

Obama’s Reflections Since the Incident

Before Obama’s final State of the Union in 2015, his White House Twitter account announced that the president was “getting ready for the significant address” — complete with the playful hashtag, “#YesWeTan.”

In the years that followed, Obama frequently made jokes referencing his tan suit.

“To kick things off, I nearly went with the tan suit today,” the former president laughed during his closing press briefing in 2017.

“But Michelle, who has a better fashion sense than I do, advised me that’s not suitable for January,” he chuckled.

Recently, a social media buzz was ignited when Vice President Kamala Harris unexpectedly appeared on stage on the first night of the Democratic convention — clad in a brown suit.

Contributing: Josh Meyer, YSL News