How tone-deaf can you possibly get?

We are in the midst of a world-defining moment in terms of geopolitics. Ukraine has unified the West, solidified NATO and its support, and strengthened the EU. Putin and Russia are looking increasingly isolated as China tries to navigate a fine line.

And who sums up this scenario the most forcefully? Biden? Macron? Johnson?

Not even close, and everybody knows it.

President Zelenskyy does. He is the figurehead, and rightly so. Not just because he is leading like a leader, inspiring like an inspiration, but because he should encapsulate this defining moment since this moment—though it has huge global ramifications—is about Ukraine. It is about an independent, sovereign country being invaded by a huge superpower and fighting so bravely. It is about a humanitarian crisis the likes of which we haven't seen since World War 2. It's about a nation galvanizing, coming together to present the biggest obstacle to Putin's poorly crafted plans.

Stingers, Javelins, NLAWs, and MANPADs aside, Putin cannot succeed when the country he has come to liberate almost universally hates him and doesn't want or need liberating.

And the glue that has bound this hatred, this resistance, this national pride has been the green-T-shirt-clad President, nonchalantly walking around Kyiv, filming himself and plastering himself all over social media.

This has been a masterclass in PR.

Zelenskyy's publicly presented persona has succeeded in winning over politicians with standing ovations from the House of Commons to the Bundestag to the US Congress.

I understand times are hard, but doesn't the President of the #Ukraine own a suit? I don't have much respect for current members of the U.S. Congress either, but I still wouldn't address them wearing a t-shirt. I wouldn't want to disrespect the institution or the Unites States.

— Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) March 16, 2022

And Twitter obliged in the way that we would expect. Schiff doubled down:

He would not have had to press a suit. I'm sure he had a clean suit hanging in the same closet as his t-shirts. Plus even if there were not suits available, maybe a long-sleeved shirt with a collar.

— Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) March 16, 2022

I simply cannot believe that someone would be so ignorant of public image as to say this. Zelenskyy is famous for what he wears—it has become a thing. I've seen TV hosts dress the same, consistent remarks on it, and memes aplenty. The Ukrainian President is no fool. He knows this look is iconic. It's why he hasn't changed it. And it also represents that he is there, fighting with the Ukrainians for their freedom. He is working for them and with them and among them.

He is not a suit.

His people see this, and his audience sees this. His speeches to each of the national political houses he speaks to know this. At the end of the day, his speeches are emotional. They are designed to pull on heartstrings to evoke sympathy and action. And, my, has he succeeded. Do you think he would have appealed in the way that he has sitting stiff-backed in a neatly pressed suit?

He has won the war of images against Putin. He has won the social media war. He has won the information war outside of Russia. Now the West, due to his appeals and success in the aforementioned, are seeking to help him win the military war.

Twitter has gone to its own battle with Schiff and his exemplification of idiocy:

https://twitter.com/Max_Shields/status/1504097176540090368

And speaking of great leaders fighting for and with those around him:

This is the most embarrassing take I have ever seen. Based on this I doubt you could read the room in a Barbie dream house.

— Otto English (@Otto_English) March 16, 2022