Kellyanne Conway Oval Office Photo 'Ultimate Signifier Of Privilege'

'The more you look at this, the more you recognise Kellyanne's play.'
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A photograph showing President Donald Trump’s advisor Kellyanne Conway kneeling on the Oval Office sofa is being shared by critics who argue the casualness of her posture is disrespectful.

The picture, taken during a visit to the White House by leaders of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), shows Conway curled up using a phone during the important moment.

The meeting came after hostility from many black students towards Trump and his administration. Trump has said he wants to provide HBCUs with a “much needed boost”.

But Conway’s behaviour in the Oval during the photocall has been labelled “indecorousness” - or simply not in good taste.

The more you look at this, the more you recognize Kellyanne's play: one who flaunts their indecorousness as ultimate signifier of privilege pic.twitter.com/o2mxLGuPk4

— Clara Jeffery (@ClaraJeffery) February 28, 2017

While others point toward its wider connotations.

In this photo exists every comment on race and on respectability to be had on earth pic.twitter.com/5E2Q38dxaX

— Theodore R. Johnson (@T_R_Johnson_III) February 28, 2017

Now, you can't expect us to take this "meeting" seriously when this is the setting. pic.twitter.com/IAx34PlliM

— deray mckesson (@deray) February 28, 2017

These are HBCU presidents. they lead colleges and shape young minds Kellyanne is being disrespectful AF texting with her feet up https://t.co/g83Mb43Vtt

— Robin C. McClary (@celestemc) February 28, 2017

Can someone please tell the sentient meat scarecrow to get her goddamn feet off the couch in the Oval Office?! pic.twitter.com/rzMkMEGAsF

— Dane Rauschenberg (@SeeDaneRun) February 28, 2017

Wow classy and with feet on sofa! RT @AFP: Kellyanne checks phone after taking photo of President and leaders pic.twitter.com/nfJGAMnPsB

— tabatha coffey (@tabathacoffey) February 28, 2017

Sure, Kellyanne, just make yourself right at home???? On an Oval Office couch??? With all those people there?????? Why not???? https://t.co/D71pExU0Xr

— lindsey marie (@thekuhlest) February 28, 2017

Oh my. pic.twitter.com/25NOvORSXt

— David Corn (@DavidCornDC) February 28, 2017

The photo sparked a whole load of memes.

all i can think about when i see that kellyanne conway pic is meme ma'am from veep pic.twitter.com/uPQRjkrBhe

— libby (@libsnyds) February 28, 2017

Kellyanne Conway: @AFP pic.twitter.com/gF5Uo0IoiM

— Kragar (@Kragar_LGF) February 28, 2017

Yet more pictures from the Oval reveal the moments before and after the viral photograph.

They appear to show Conway directing media in the Oval, and then sitting to one side to capture a photograph on her phone.

@ClaraJeffery Is she still wearing her shoes? If she is, oh my ... that is wrong then on many levels ...

— Carolyn Cordon (@holksch) February 28, 2017

They also confirm one thing many people wondered about - that she was wearing shoes.

This photograph taken before the viral picture shows Conway, left, apparently directing media in the Oval Office
This photograph taken before the viral picture shows Conway, left, apparently directing media in the Oval Office
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI via Getty Images
This photograph clearly shows Conway capturing her own momento of the occasion - and doing so while kneeling on the Oval Office sofa. It's possible she was on the sofa so as not to obstruct the view of White House photographers
This photograph clearly shows Conway capturing her own momento of the occasion - and doing so while kneeling on the Oval Office sofa. It's possible she was on the sofa so as not to obstruct the view of White House photographers
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI via Getty Images
Another angle shows much the same thing, Conway keen to capture a photo on her phone, in front of pool photographers
Another angle shows much the same thing, Conway keen to capture a photo on her phone, in front of pool photographers
Pool via Getty Images

An older 360 panoramic photo, below, shows what the Oval Office looks like during an official photo op.

Crowds of photographers line up to take their shot - perhaps explaining why Conway was keen to remain tucked away on the sofa.

President Trump tweeted an official photograph from the visit which did not include Conway.

Thank you to the great presidents of our #HBCUs for their commitment to higher education. Read more here: https://t.co/m2Adyvvu6a pic.twitter.com/zjXWSX9cdE

— President Trump (@POTUS) February 28, 2017
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