President Donald Trump‘s encounter with people he thinks are smarter than him usually goes sideways.
His jokes got the same stone-faced response he often receives from Melania Trump during an appearance with astronauts at Houston’s Johnson Space Center on Friday.
But nothing was more humiliating than Trump accepting a gift he apparently couldn’t fit. The astronaut jacket resembled one once worn by former President Barack Obama.
Trump has been struggling with his clothes in recent weeks, trying to hide his recent weight gain.
Cameras have caught him struggling to button his suit jacket, while other shots have shown the tailoring looking increasingly snug.
NASA astronauts have worn the same style of jacket for decades while training in T-38 supersonic jets.
When presented with the navy blue jacket, Trump skipped trying it on. He tucked it under his arm, waved to the crowd and exited.
“He probably doesn’t fit into it lol,” speculated one person. Another observer noted, “It would probably fit as well as the flight jacket did plus he’s gained about 50 pounds since then.”
Eagle-eyed users who zoomed in on the POTUS’ face thought he looked less than thrilled to receive the honor.
One person, however, had a theory about why Trump kept his suit jacket firmly in place.
— Bernard Godwill (@Be_God_) August 30, 2026
“Taking his jacket off would reveal whatever he’s trying to hide under it,” to which another person replied, “Exactly what I thought, that his giant gut wouldn’t fit!”
Another said, “He can’t take that jacket off because it will expose too much: his big gut … whatever is going on with his right leg and right arm, and he need someone to help him get dressed.”
Obama participated in the same tradition during a 2011 Oval Office ceremony, without any assistance.
He was captured proudly taking off his suit coat and putting on the bright blue jacket. He zipped it up to his neck.
🚨 NASA gave Trump a flight jacket in Houston.
— Donk Media ♻️™ (@donkoclock) August 29, 2026
They gave Obama one too in 2011.
Same tradition. 15 years apart. 2 Different Reactions 🤣
Watch the split side-by-side 👇 pic.twitter.com/XYEili3wbn
The visual sparked a side-by-side comparison that made one difference between the two presidents hard to miss.
“President Obama can see past his belly; Trump can’t,” blasted one X user. Another said, “That was brutal.”
Trump has also drawn attention for moments when aides have helped him with his clothing.
Cameras have captured staff assisting with jackets and other wardrobe malfunctions, fueling questions about whether the president is struggling with routine physical tasks.
Those moments have taken on added weight as Trump has gained weight. Doctors have advised him to lose weight to prevent further health risks, per The Washington Post.
Amid growing scrutiny over his health and mobility, his difficulty with fitted clothing may seem minor.
But repeated footage of aides stepping in has fueled questions about whether something more concerning is happening behind the scenes.
The White House has remained silent on his health, other than confirming his diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency in 2025.
The public suspects something more serious. Critics point to his speech slurring, naps during briefings and visible swelling as reasons for concern.
Each photo seems to tell a worse story than the last. But rest assured, Trump will always blame the camera for making him look bigger than he really is.
Pausing an address to House Republicans in January, Trump singled out Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Doug Mills from the stage.
“I don’t like the people back there. These are the ones that take the pictures,” Trump said, gesturing to the press before addressing Mills directly. “Make me look thin for a change, Doug. You’re making me look a little heavy; I’m not happy about it.”
Trump to photographers:
— FactPost (@factpostnews) January 6, 2026
"Make me look thin for a change. You're making me look a little bit heavy. I'm not happy about it." pic.twitter.com/dneEdrojZq
That criticism paled in comparison to the social media meltdown Trump unleashed over a Time magazine cover that highlighted his thinning hair and fuller double chin.
The magazine later released an updated cover with a new portrait — because apparently, even presidents get a do-over.
