Mnuchin's wife, Louise Linton, reportedly apologizes after sparring with Instagram user
Louise Linton, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin 's wife, got into an Instagram fight after she posted a picture of herself disembarking a government jet, complete with captioned hashtags calling out Tom Ford, Hermes and Valentino.
She later apologized Tuesday for the post and her ensuing comment, according to CNN.
Linton posted the picture Monday after returning from a Louisville, Kentucky, trip with her husband — where he pitched tax reform with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell . She called it a day trip and tagged the designer brands she wore in the photo, including Roland Mouret.
A screenshot of the post can be seen at The New York Times. Linton has since made her Instagram account private.
The Instagram user, Jenni Miller, responded: "Glad we could pay for your little getaway. #deplorable."
Linton hit back in a long comment, highlighting the couple's wealth.
"Aw!!! Did you think this was a personal trip?! Adorable! Do you think the US govt paid for our honeymoon or personal travel?! Lololol," Linton wrote.
"Have you given more to the economy than me and my husband? Either as an individual earner in taxes OR in self sacrifice to your country?" she asked. "I'm pretty sure we paid more taxes toward our day "trip" than you did. Pretty sure the amount we sacrifice per year is a lot more than you'd be willing to sacrifice if the choice was yours."
She added: "You're adorably out of touch."
In the statement referenced by CNN, Linton said, "I apologize for my post on social media yesterday as well as my response. It was inappropriate and highly insensitive."
A Treasury spokesperson told CNBC that the couple reimbursed the government for Linton's travel to Kentucky. Linton did not get compensated for any of the products she cited, the spokesperson said.
The comments may not help optics as the Trump administration, led in its efforts by Mnuchin, is pushing for a tax reform package that would likely include major rate cuts for the wealthy.
Mnuchin, a former Goldman Sachs partner, has amassed his own personal fortune in finance and as a major Hollywood movie producer.
— CNBC's Ylan Mui contributed to this report
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