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By Katherine Fung
Senior Writer
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Lauren Sánchez, the fiancée of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, raised eyebrows in a white blazer and lace top while attending President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday inside the Capitol Rotunda.
Photos taken of Sánchez at the inaugural luncheon that followed the ceremony suggested she eventually donned a coat over the outfit. She was seen wearing a white, floor-length coat at the lunch held downstairs from the Rotunda.
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Why It Matters
Sánchez, a former journalist, copped a rare invitation to Monday's ceremony. Because the event was moved inside due to the extremely cold weather, the limited space in the Capitol rotunda meant even members of Trump's incoming administration would not be allowed to bring their spouses to the inauguration. Many governors, including Ron DeSantis of Florida and Brian Kemp of Georgia — both of whom have tangled with Trump in the past — were directed to an overflow room downstairs from the Rotunda to watch the ceremony.
"I gasped when I saw it!" Summer Anne Lee, a presidential fashion historian and professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology, told Newsweek of Sanchez's outfit*.*
"I imagine this revealing lingerie moment has got to be a 'first' in inauguration fashion history, even if she is just an attendee and not a part of the ceremony."
What to Know
Sánchez appeared with Bezos inside the Capitol Rotunda Monday morning ahead of the official swearing-in ceremony. Standing alongside other tech executives like Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, Google's Sundar Pichai and Tesla's Elon Musk, Sánchez was spotted wearing a laced bustier underneath a tailored single-breasted white blazer with cross-over lapels from Alexander McQueen.
Social media users slammed Sánchez as being "incredibly inappropriate dressed for a state occasion" and joked that she had been "dressed by Victoria's Secret for the inauguration."
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The former journalist wasn't the only guest in attendance whose wardrobe choices raised questions. Senator John Fetterman also piqued the interest of observers who wondered why the Democrat stuck to his regular basketball shorts-and-hoodie getup in Washington D.C.'s frigid temperatures.
Sánchez wore the same all-white ensemble last month for a date night in New York City with Bezos. She also posted a picture wearing what appears to be the same outfit on her Instagram December 5, when she attended the New York Times DealBook summit, where Bezos was interviewed.
Bezos, who is currently ranked the second richest man in the world behind Elon Musk — also in attendance — donated $1 million to Trump's inauguration fund. Amazon is also streaming the ceremony on Prime Video.
Although Trump frequently blasted Bezos during his first term in the White House, his hostility toward the executive and Amazon has softened since he left office in 2017.
At the DealBook, Bezos made headlines by saying he was "very optimistic" about a second Trump term.
"What I've seen so far is he is calmer than he was the first time and more settled," Bezos said. "You've probably grown in the last eight years. He has, too."
What People Are Saying
Megyn Kelly, a conservative political commentator and talk show host, said on X: "She has no class. No dignity. No respect."
Kylie Jane Kremer, the executive director of Women for America First, said on X: "Why is Lauren Sanchez at the inauguration at all? Because of the ceremony being moved indoors to the Rotunda with limited space, no spouses were allowed, even for Trump's administration. Yet, Bezo's fiance is there in a bralette? She looks like a w----."
Brittany Gadoury, an X user, wrote: "Jeff Bezos future wife Lauren Sanchez is incredibly inappropriately dressed for a state occasion. Someone should have told her that having her white lace bra out on display is not acceptable."
Suzy Redd, another X user, posted: "Good grief, Lauren Sanchez. Put them away for one day."
Jon Sanchez, a third X user, asked: "Is someone going to offer Lauren Sanchez a safety pin?"
What's Next
Bezos, Sanchez and many of the other VIPs in attendance Monday were expected to attend various inaugural balls and parties being held across the capital.
Update 01/20/25 1:30 p.m. ET This story was updated with new information.
Update 01/20/25 2:13 p.m. ET This story was updated with Kelly's comments.
Update 01/20/25 3:20 p.m. ET This story was updated with new information.
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