Backlash after rich US Treasury Secretary’s wife mocks woman’s ‘cute life’ and says she pays more taxes

It was a glam shot that got ugly. The wife of wealthy US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin dived headlong into a social media skirmish this week, mocking a critic of her Instagram post that had highlighted her high-fashion choices as she disembarked from a US government jet.

Mocking the woman as “adorably out of touch” and her lifestyle as “cute”, Scottish actress Louise Linton suggested she and new husband Mnuchin contributed more to the US economy and paid more in taxes than did her critic.

After a day of mounting criticism, Linton issued an apology Tuesday. But she had already assumed a starring role in the continuing story of the Trump administration’s enormous wealth.

“I think spouses of political appointees are usually not fair game for critics, but with Trump, tensions are heightened,” said Republican political consultant Alex Conant.

The drama began Monday when Linton posted a photo of herself getting off a government plane in Kentucky with Mnuchin. In her post, Linton hashtagged several designer labels that made up her white ensemble, including Tom Ford, Hermes and Valentino.

“Great #daytrip to #Kentucky!” wrote Linton.