Hurricane Harvey: Melania Trump digs her heels in over flood visit

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump depart the White House in Washington. Photo / AP

She was labelled out of touch and disrespectful by critics after traveling to Texas earlier this to tour flood zones in a pair of towering black stilettos.

But Melania Trump had a clear message for naysayers yesterday as she made her second trip to the disaster-struck state - the high heels are here to stay.

Defiant as she emerged from the White House, the first lady strode confidently towards Marine One in her $1590 Ralph Lauren safari shirt dress and a pair of $650 Manolo Blahnik snakeskin pumps.

Clinging to her husband for some support as her stiletto point dug in to the grass on the South Lawn, she turned her back on a wave of criticism she received on Tuesday during her first visit to Harvey-hit regions.

As the hurricane continued beating rain down on Houston, swamping entire neighbourhoods and leaving thousands clambering to their roofs to be rescued, Melania emerged from the White House on Tuesday morning in a black version of the heels she wore on Saturday, a bomber jacket and some oversized sunglasses.

Melania Trump's snakeskin stilettos. Photo / Getty Images

Once they had landed in Texas, she changed in to a more appropriate outfit of pants, a white shirt and sneakers.

Her cap, which had FLOTUS stitched on the front, offended many given the grave circumstances in Houston where the bodies of victims floated through flood water and where the only way out was by boat or aircraft.

The high heels worn earlier in the day however dominated conversation about the president's visit to the afflicted state and divided opinion.

'Who wears high heels to a flood ravaged community?' was one of the complaints before she changed into her shiny white sneakers.

There was a dose of fresh outrage yesterday when she emerged in her second set of pumps.

'Melania in heels again. Does she know it's flood week and not fashion week in TX? Maybe she'll emerge in her white sneakers again?' said one deflated Twitter user.

Some said the outfit was even worse than her first attempt.

'Melania in her heels & a dress this time. Trumps are a total fail at optics. A big FU to hurricane victims.'

Their complaints were in the minority, however.

Elsewhere, there was resounding approval for the look from her fans. Supporters praised Melania for not giving in to the flack and celebrated her as a 'troll master and 'bada**.'
'FLOTUS Melania stayed true to herself & to HELL with the haters, as she boarded Air Force One in high heels! She's a troll master! Love her!'