With a chance to make a better second impression in the Oval Office, gratitude diplomacy was front and center for Zelenskyy. In addition to thanking the president six times, Zelenskyy extended gratitude to Melania Trump for personally writing to Russian President Vladimir Putin to think about the Ukrainian children and urge peace.

The rumor referenced the last time Zelenskyy visited the White House, in February 2025, when he faced criticism from conservatives and some reporters for wearing a full-sleeve black polo shirt emblazoned with Ukraine's coat of arms instead of a suit. The rumor appeared to originate from a post on X that was repeated on tabloid site Daily Express.