Suzanne Rogers, the Canadian philanthropist and namesake of Ryerson University’s Suzanne Rogers Fashion Institute, faced significant backlash in May 2021 after sharing a photo on Instagram of herself and her family dining with former U.S. President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

The image quickly garnered attention, sparking controversy among her followers and the broader fashion community.

In response to the uproar, Rogers issued a statement clarifying that she did not have any personal relationship with Trump and that the photo was taken during a brief interaction as she was leaving the venue. She expressed regret over the incident, stating that posting the photo without considering the potential implications led to false assumptions about her personal beliefs. Rogers emphasized her lifelong commitment to equality, diversity, inclusiveness, and respect for all, values she holds dear in all aspects of society, especially in fashion

The controversy intensified when the Suzanne Rogers Fashion Institute’s Instagram account shared a now-deleted post criticizing Trump’s policies and inviting Rogers to engage in a dialogue with faculty and students about the impact of his actions on marginalized communities. The university later distanced itself from the post, stating it had not been approved and that social media was not the appropriate platform to judge others’ actions

This incident highlighted the challenges public figures face in navigating social media, where a single post can lead to widespread scrutiny and debate. Rogers’ experience serves as a reminder of the complexities of public perception and the importance of thoughtful consideration before sharing content online.