An infamous eye roll, rare instances of PDA, and quiet displays of support. A body language expert breaks down how Donald and Melania Trump really feel about each other.
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00:00In infamous eye roll, rare instances of PDA, and quiet displays of support, a body language
00:06expert breaks down how Donald and Melania Trump really feel about each other.
00:11Just before Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States in 2017,
00:16he and his wife Melania stopped at the White House to meet with Barack and Michelle Obama.
00:20The then-president and first lady stood at the top of the steps to greet the Trumps upon
00:24their arrival. When their black SUV pulled up, Donald emerged from the back and headed
00:29directly up the steps to shake hands, leaving Melania to fend for herself.
00:34In an exclusive interview with The List, body language expert Nicole Moore revealed that
00:38Donald was in full me-mode during the entire exchange, with little thought given to his
00:42wife. Moore observed,
00:44"...Melania sucked in her breath and inhaled apprehensively as she approached Michelle Obama
00:48to greet her. Her body language here indicates she was nervous or afraid."
00:52The situation did not improve for Melania. As the couples moved around each other to
00:57greet and pose for photos, Donald positioned himself directly in front of her, again putting
01:01himself first. Additionally, when all four headed inside, Donald charged ahead of his
01:06wife.
01:07"...I'd rate myself less than a great husband."
01:10A year into his presidency, Donald and Melania headed to Palm Beach, Florida, to ring in
01:152018 at Mar-a-Lago. As they made their way into the building, Donald stopped to give
01:19a statement with his first lady by his side. However, standing next to him is as cozy as
01:24the couple got. There was no hand-holding or even brushing of the shoulders. Moore observed
01:29how emotionally disconnected the two were, telling The List,
01:32"...Melania's body language indicates she's extremely uncomfortable and she's trying unsuccessfully
01:37to hold her discomfort in."
01:40After Trump's first term as president ended in January 2021, Melania made herself scarce,
01:45choosing to skip public appearances and live a more private life. The two did step out
01:49together in October 2021, though, to attend the fourth game of the World Series between
01:54the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves.
01:56While there were plenty of official photographs taken that day, one person caught a moment
02:00where Melania seemed to reveal her true feelings. As Donald was giving two thumbs up to the
02:04crowd, Melania rolled her eyes. Moore told The List it was a definite moment of unhappiness
02:09for the former first lady, saying she appeared to be genuinely disgusted. Moore added that
02:14because Melania looked down during her eye roll, it seems that she was trying to hide
02:18her true emotions. She told The List,
02:20the fact that her eye roll moved so quickly back into a smile indicates that smile is
02:25inauthentic.
02:27PDA moments between Donald and Melania are rare, but occasionally, the couple shows their
02:31affection for one another. In November 2022, Donald officially announced his campaign for
02:35the 2024 presidential race. While standing on a podium with Melania, the two clasped
02:40hands while smiling and waving to the crowd.
02:43Moore told The List that the couple's body language at the event was in stark contrast
02:47to previous years. She pointed out that the couple are actually standing very close together,
02:51and both seem to be leaning into each other. Also of note is Melania's wide smile, which
02:56appears to be legitimate. The two, Moore noted, finally look like they are emotionally connected.
03:01We have a very, very, pretty much equal relationship, wouldn't you say?
03:06In January 2024, Melania's mother, Amalia Noves, passed away. Both she and Donald attended
03:12the funeral services in Palm Beach and stood together outside the church for one final
03:16goodbye shortly after. Based on what she saw of the event, Moore told The List it seems
03:21as if the couple has established their own type of support system for such somber occasions.
03:26As Melania stands next to Donald, she appears sad, her eyes darting back and forth as if
03:30she's trying to control her emotions or stop her tears. Not once does she exchange looks
03:35with him, nor does she reach for Donald's hand or lean into him. Moore said,
03:39Melania's body language shows that she is internalizing her pain and not using her husband
03:44as a source of comfort. It appears the couple does not have the sort of relationship where
03:47they comfort each other with physical touch.