Donald and Melania Trump don’t often show their love for each other in public. On election night in November last year, one body language even claimed that Melania didn’t look happy for her husband’s win, while rumors about their marriage not being strong have been ongoing for years.
However, during Inauguration Day on Monday, things were different. Melania was seen smiling and holding her husband’s hand, and the couple even exchanged kisses on the cheek. One body language expert concluded that their behavior has marked a significant shift in Donald and Melania’s relationship, even if it wasn’t all positive throughout the day.
One body language expert noticed something special during Donald and Melania Trump’s dance at the inauguration ball; it seemed as if the First Lady’s behavior was awkward for one specific reason.
Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States was, as every inauguration before it, grand. Although it was too cold to see him sworn in outside, the former real estate mogul officially took his oath of office inside the US Capitol Rotunda, with his family at his side for the entire day.
Melania Trump’s to-be-or-not-to-be as a second-term first lady has been discussed for years. Initially, when the Trump’s left the White House the first time, it was reported that returning was the last thing she wanted.
However, with Trump set to begin his second presidential election campaign, Melania publicly showed her support for her husband, stating that she would love to return to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Still, when Donald announced his presidential election win in November, it appeared she wasn’t thrilled at all.
While many saw it as a beautiful moment when Donald and Melania shared a big hug and exchanged a kiss, one body language expert was not convinced. Darren Stanton stated that Melania was reluctant to walk to her husband on stage to celebrate the presidential election win, claiming there was “no closeness.”
Why Melania Trump was claimed to be “unhappy” on election day
“When Trump looks back at Melania and gestures to her to come over for a hug, she reluctantly comes forward,” Stanton told the Mirror. “It’s very disjointed and awkward, and there’s no emotion from her. We don’t see any genuine smiles from Melania, it feels like a smile she has adopted for the occasion.”
Stanton continued: “There’s not the level of emotion you’d expect given her husband has just been elected president. It’s all quite contrived, she’s just reluctant to show any emotion, there’s no real happiness or joy. There’s always an awkwardness with Melania.”
Melania attended her husband’s last rallies in the lead up to the presidential election. Since the win in November, she and Donald have been preparing to move into the White House again. On January 20, the Trump family celebrated as Donald was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, and it appeared that the relationship between the new POTUS and FLOTUS was better than ever.
Speaking to the Mirror, body language expert Judi James noticed that Donald spent much of the inauguration clutching his wife’s hand or, as she described, “taking it like some Regency gentleman, kissing her proffered cheek or even gazing at her as they danced together like a man in the throes of some romantic thrall.”
The First Lady’s outfits will always likely be a big talking point, and it proved no different for the inauguration. According to Judi James, Melania’s outfit was crucial in sending a message about what kind of first lady she would be.
Melania Trump showed “power signals” on Inauguration Day
“Her saucer- shaped hat and her fiercely-tailored coat twinned her as an equal to Trump and a woman who means business this time around. Beneath the brim her smile was regal and confident, while her eyes were kept hidden,” James said.
“During tricky social moments, like when they were seeing the Biden’s off after Trump’s flame-thrower of a speech, Melania seemed to make her own feelings very clear when Biden placed an arm around her waist for a full ten seconds and she turned away towards her husband with one elbow splayed as she held onto her hat brim. As Trump leaned in to shake hands with Biden she placed her own arm around Trump’s waist for several seconds and patted him in a gesture of reward and reassurance.”
Body language expert James stated that Melania’s “power signals” have increased. She added that the First Lady’s warm smile showed “an air of relaxed confidence.”
“As they leave the service, Donald and Melania amplify their clasped hands into a more pronounced display of unity. Trump lifts the clasp higher a few times, almost waving it as they walk towards their car, as though signaling both pride in his wife and a gentlemanly concern for her as they step off the curb,” James told the Mirror.
“Trump’s expression is familiar – the slightly stern, almost baleful look that mirrors his official portrait. Melania, in contrast, seems determined to inject a touch of celebration into the occasion. Though her eyes are shielded by the brim of her hat, her wide, toothy smile creates an air of relaxed confidence.”
Melania was “protected from criticism by hiding her expression,” expert claims
Melania said she was much more prepared to enter the White House this time around, so it makes sense to assume that she will approach things differently. According to another body language expert, Inbaal Honigman, her behavior was different at this inauguration than in 2017.
“Melania’s body language during the 2025 inauguration is still and neutral,” Inbaal told Covers.com. “She sits still in her model pose, her facial expression neutral, not drawing any attention to herself, letting all attention be on her husband.”
He continued by saying that she appeared more “friendly.”
“In comparison, Melania of 2017 flashed smiles and waved around, displaying a more friendly persona to the crowds,” he explained. Melania’s face is naturally neutral. She doesn’t have an expressive demeanor in general and has previously been criticized for having short-lasting smiles, which she must have known.”
Honigman concluded: “This inauguration’s Melania was protected from criticism by hiding her expression behind a wide-brimmed hat so that she could keep her neutral expression with no issue.”
Donald and Melania also celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary this week. Their star-studded wedding at Bethesda-By-the-Sea took place on January 22, 2005, and there can have been few better 20th anniversary presents than getting to move back into the White House together.
The couple shared several intimate moments together during Inauguration Day, and though Melania is used to being in the spotlight, one expert, behavioral scientist Abbie Maroño, claimed to have seen something others missed.
Donald Trump and Melania’s “awkward” interaction on Inauguration Day
Speaking to Newsweek, Maroño claimed that Melania’s actions indicated discomfort with public attention.
“First Lady Melania Trump’s choice of a wide-brimmed hat appeared to serve as a barrier, complicating a moment when President Trump attempted to kiss her, resulting in an awkward air kiss. This may have been a possible means to conceal her face, indicating discomfort with the public attention. The lack of eye contact, smiles, or hand-holding between the couple, suggesting discomfort,” she said.
“At the inaugural ball, President Trump and Melania participated in the traditional first dance. Initially, both appeared tense, but the atmosphere lightened when Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, along with military members, joined them on stage. This shift led to more relaxed interactions, with President Trump engaging warmly Melania smiling during the dance.”
As mentioned, Donald and Melania shared the first traditional dance as President and First Lady of the United States during the Inaugural Ball later on Inauguration Day. The couple had three inauguration balls to attend on the days surrounding Donald being sworn in, and the first one was the Commander-in-Chief ball.
Abbie Maroño claimed that the two had another ‘awkward’ moment. Renowned body language expert Mark Bowden noticed that Melania looked uncomfortable.
“He and Melania take a traditional ballroom hold, but the moment quickly becomes awkward. As Melania’s head springs back-likely an effort to flick her hair away from her face-it risks appearing as a sudden, terrible moment of revulsion,” Bowden told the Irish Star.
What Melania whispered to her husband during Inauguration Day ball
“Trump himself seems to misread the gesture, as his head reflexively jerks back too. In an attempt to recover, he thrusts his head forward into Melania, trying to reassert a sense of connection.”
The body language expert explained: “This shaky start leaves Trump leaning his full weight forward, while Melania manages to meet him cheek to cheek. With her wide-brimmed hat no longer serving as a barrier, the couple is closer than earlier in the day-though precariously close to the ear that once took a bullet.”
During another ball, the Liberty Ball, which was also arranged on Inauguration Day, a lip-reading expert claimed Donald whispered a heartfelt message in his wife’s ear. Jeremy Freeman spoke to the Mirror, revealing what Melania answered.
“Today is one we will never forget,” Melania said, according to Freeman, to which Donald responded, “You’re right, I’ll learn, I’ll fight.”
Melania continued to express her support for her husband with the words, “I got you,” to which Trump, according to Jeremy Freeeman, responded, “We’ll see. Will you control it? Less tricky, less pushing away?”
The First Lady answered, “It’s a no,” and Trump said, “I hear you.”
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