Trinidad and Tobago President Anthony Carmona, speaking at the International Criminal Court's Judicial Candidates Forum in New York in 2011. Photo by Coalition for the ICC; used under a CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 license. Trinidad and Tobago netizens did a virtual facepalm this week when it was revealed via a tweet from a journalist that the country's president, Anthony Carmona, had issued a legal letter intended to bar local entertainer Rachel Price from making fun of the first lady's fashion sense. As of yesterday, Price said she still had not received the letter, but was prepared to come out guns blazing once she did. Her Excellency Reema Carmona was roundly criticised by many for her choice of outfit at the Fashion for Development event last month, during the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. The selection of a thick tan belt worn over a black dress gave the illusion – at least in photographs – of a bare midriff. Many thought it inappropriate for an event which the first lady attended in her official capacity, and some still maintain that there was no belt at all. Trinidad and Tobago is a country reputed for its picong — satirical banter that is not only part of every Trinbagonian's arsenal of repartee, but which has historically been the foundation of countless calypsoes that provide critical social commentary. In this context, the president's move came as a surprise and opened the head of state up to even more criticism. In his inaugural speech, Carmona famously made the point that the Office of the President “is not impotent”: I do want to emphasise […] that I am not an Executive President. Under the Westminster form of governance, there are parameters within which I must operate. Powers you think I have… I do not. Powers you think I do not have… I do. The speech made waves; people hoped to see less rubberstamping and more action when it came to matters of public concern. Rachel Price's jabs seemed trivial in comparison to pressing national issues, and netizens said as much via memes and on Twitter. The focus quickly shifted from the first lady's wardrobe… …to the president's defense of her: @CNC3TV these are the powers carmona had that we didn't think he had? To send @RACHELPRICETT a pre action ltr to stop talking bout ure wife? — Corie (@cobojack) October 21, 2014 Hold on! President Carmona speaks out on @RACHELPRICETT discussing his wife's attire but says NOTHING ON THE CONSTITUTION?!? Oh. Ok. — Nyssa Pierre (@kneezurr) October 21, 2014 @RACHELPRICETT thx eh! This must be the most wuk De man do since he in office! — Anisha Joseph-Ashton (@anishajoe) October 22, 2014 Other Twitter users couldn't understand why Price was singled out, considering that so many — both on social and in mainstream media — were talking about it: Rachael @RACHELPRICETT is not the only one who talked about it the whole country talked and still talking wat she had on was disgraceful — Tiffany John (@johntiffany25) October 22, 2014 @RACHELPRICETT they vex because u say what everybody else was silently saying! All of a sudden he have voice! — Crystal's Touch (@crysmcphe) October 22, 2014 Some suggested the move was an attack on freedom of speech: @RACHELPRICETT what a Democratic country this is, when our citizens are not allowed freedom of speech!!!! 1st world status here we come — jamie thorpe (@jthorpe91) October 22, 2014 @RACHELPRICETT what I'd like to know is if they give you a letter, they might shutdown calypso fiesta next year. #raisetherealissues. — Bradley (@Imsilentone) October 22, 2014 There were those who stood firmly in defense of the first lady and her right to wear whatever she chooses. Fashion designer Robert Young thought the reaction to Mrs. Carmona's outfit was “sexist and filled with internalized colonialism.” He made the point that fashion is a cultural phenomenon, saying, “Bellies are shown all over the world. The late Indira Gandhi must have shown her's.” (sic) From the president's perspective, the issue is that his office considers Price's statements — though it isn't clear which ones — defamatory. Price has reportedly been promoting a comedy show at which she promises to target the first lady's attire, but it is not known if the letter refers to this or other comments. Public relations expert Dennise Demming felt that the president's response to Price was a bit like “using a hatchet where a scalpel is needed”, saying that he has only succeeded in “dignify[ing] poor humour and improv[ing] her popularity.” It is also being debated whether the Office of the President should even be party to the legal action, since defamation cases can only involve individuals. At an address he gave at the 2014 Presentation of Graduates at the University of the West Indies, St.