Melania Trump seemed a bit offbeat with President Trump during his inauguration.
A body language expert analyzed the moment when Melania turned her head away from Trump after he missed the chance to kiss her at the ceremony.
As Trump prepared to deliver his speech inside the US Capitol for his second inauguration on January 20, he shared his vision for the future as the 47th president. Before the big address, he and Melania attended a church service, a customary event that kicks off the inauguration and signifies the end of Joe Biden’s presidency.
Before stepping into the chamber, Trump seemed to lean in for a kiss with Melania, which could have been a sweet moment.
But Melania, sporting a large hat, seemed to brush him off, turning her face for just a quick peck on the cheek instead.
After observing this interaction, body language expert Judi James shared her insights on what Melania’s reaction might mean.
In a chat with Paddy Power, James noted that Trump walked into the inauguration event with a “slow alpha presence,” sporting a “mouth shrug smile” that hinted at a serious attitude towards his new role.
When he reached for Melania, James described his gesture as “tender,” likening it to a romantic hand-holding moment typically seen at weddings.
She went on to say, “He leaned in to give his wife a kiss, and for a second, it seemed like he was aiming for a lip-to-lip smooch.
“Melania leaned in too, but she angled her face to go for a cheek kiss instead of a kiss on the lips.”
James described it as a ‘heart-stopping moment’ because it looked like their timing was a bit off.
In the end, Trump apparently opted for an air kiss.
Check out the clip below to see what went down.
Their lips didn’t actually touch, but they both made a little ‘mwa’ sound with their mouths, James went on, which created just enough of an illusion that it looked like they were close to kissing.
The pro wrapped it up by saying Melania seemed pleased with the moment, noting: “Melania smiled at her husband, appreciating not just the acknowledgment and gratitude, but also the message that she was a priority and that they were more of a united front in the White House.”
Darren Stanton, a body language expert, weighed in on Melania’s unique outfit choice during the inauguration. Speaking for Betfair Casino, he pointed out that her big fedora made quite a statement and suggested it might have been a way to conceal her face if she wanted to. He also found her navy blue outfit to be an odd pick, especially since blue is often associated with the Democrats.
Stanton observed that throughout the event, the couple showed very little emotion, noting they weren’t even holding hands. He remarked, “It really seemed like a serious occasion based on their expressions. There was no eye contact, no smiles, and no visible connection between them.”
He added, “Melania seemed like she didn’t want to be there at all, with no signs of happiness. It was definitely a peculiar entrance.”