When former President Trump found the footwear of his top Cabinet officials lacking, he decided to gift new pairs of his preferred Oxfords to Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The tale was recounted by Vance earlier this year, where Trump inquired about their shoe sizes.
In response, Rubio stated he was an 11-and-a-half, Vance mentioned a size 13, while a third politician, whom Vance did not identify, claimed a size 7.
Trump made a crude joke, remarking, “You know, you can tell a lot about a man by his shoe size.”
Recently, a photo of Rubio’s feet has gained attention online after reports surfaced indicating that Trump had gifted these $145 Florsheim dress shoes to several cabinet members, many of whom felt compelled to wear them.
In the photo, Rubio’s shoes appear quite large, with a notable gap visible between his heel and the shoe’s back.
As the image went viral, speculation swirled that Rubio had exaggerated his shoe size given the president’s fixation with foot size.
‘They all told the President their shoe sizes were bigger than they are because of the exactly same reason a 12 year old would,’ said one commenter on X.
Now a photo of Rubio’s feet is going viral after new reporting this week revealed that Trump has bestowed the $145 Florsheim dress shoes on multiple cabinet secretaries, with many feeling obliged to wear them (Pictured: Rubio speaks to Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer at the Capitol on January 7)
Rubio’s pair appear to be on the large side with a noticeable gap between his heel and the back of the shoe
Recipients of the Florsheim footwear JD Vance, Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth in the Oval Office on March 3
People familiar with the ritual detail how the President guesses people’s shoe size in front of them. Later he will have an aide put in an order, which the White House claims he personally pays for, and a week later sends off a brown Florsheim shoe box donning his signature and sometimes a note.
Recipients of the Florsheim footwear include Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, the Wall Street Journal reported.
‘All the boys have them,’ said a female White House official. ‘It’s hysterical because everybody’s afraid not to wear them,’ said another.
Fox News star Sean Hannity, former Fox personality Tucker Carlson and Senator Lindsey Graham also have the shoes, as does White House deputy Chief of Staff James Blair.
Some sources heard a cabinet secretary complain about feeling the need to hang-up their Louis Vuitton shoes to wear the Florsheims when they come to the White House.
The American shoe brand is relatively affordable compared to other dress shoe brands. Most dress loafers and oxfords come in at a grand total of $145 – and some on sale can reach as low as $50.
Florsheim was founded in 1892 in Chicago by German immigrant Sigmund Florsheim and his son Milton. The company outfitted American soldiers in World War I and World War II. President Harry Truman donned them and Michael Jackson famously moonwalked in their loafers.
Fifth generation Florsheim, Thomas Florsheim Jr., when reached by phone, said he was unaware of the President’s shoe orders and declined to comment on his affinity for the brand.
President Donald Trump has for the last year taken an affinity with gifting Florsheim brand shoes to male Cabinet officials, lawmakers, advisers and politicians, according to a new report
Florsheim was founded in 1892 in Chicago by German immigrant Sigmund Florsheim and his son Milton. Their male oxford and loafers usually run around $145, which Trump personally pays when gifting them
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is one of the many who has received a box from Trump. He was already familiar with the shoes – donning boots from the brand during his 2016 presidential campaign
Apparently Trump fell in love with Florsheim shoes late last year when he was searching for footwear that would feel better after a day of work. Shortly after he began dispensing them to his allies.
‘Did you get the shoes?’ Trump will ask at cabinet meetings to his agency leaders.
It’s unclear the reason why Trump, who is known for his expensive Brioni suits and love for aesthetics, was looking for a new shoe brand. But he has snubbed compression socks that could help with his chronic venous insufficiency, a condition that causes swelling in the calves and ankles.
Speaking with the Journal in January, Trump admitted he briefly tried wearing the medical compression stockings but stopped because he ‘didn’t like them.’
Rubio and Vance got their shoes from Trump after a December Oval Office meeting.
The Vice President recalled during an event the same day celebrating Kennedy Center honoree Sylvester Stallone how Trump looked over the Resolute Desk at their feet and said: ‘Marco, JD, you guys have s****y shoes.’
He then opened a catalog and asked Vance, Rubio and a third unnamed politician their shoe sizes, which were 13, 11.5 and 6, according to the VP.
‘The President kind of leans back in his chair and says, ‘You know you can tell a lot about a man by his shoe size,’ ‘ Vance said during the December remarks.
