Melania Trump ‘beamed like a smitten teenager’ as she watched her husband deliver his joint address to Congress celebrating his return to the White House
Melania Trump ‘beamed like a smitten teenager’ as she watched her husband deliver his joint address to Congress celebrating his return to the White House.
The once hard-to-read First Lady is embracing the limelight unlike she ever has before, signaling a newfound confidence within the world of politics, body language expert Judi James told DailyMail.com.
‘There was a moment of almost romantic affection,’ James said, noting the specific moment Trump pointed up to Melania in the crowd.
‘The woman who used to be known for her impassive demeanor beamed back like a smitten teenager.
‘Trump name-checked his FLOTUS at the start of his speech and she got her own ovation, producing a cheek-rounded smile of authentic pride and pleasure.’
As he addressed the packed room of Democrats, Republicans and their guests, Trump said: ‘I want to recognize another person who has devoted herself to foster care, community, she works so hard on it.
‘Very loving person, our magnificent first lady of the United States.’
‘In her charcoal gray power suit Melania was a more commanding and confident presence here than at any previous addresses,’ James said.
The once hard-to-read First Lady is embracing the limelight unlike she ever has before, signaling a newfound confidence within the world of politics, body language expert Judi James told DailyMail.com
Melania brought several guests with her to the speech, including fifteen-year-old Elliston Berry and Haley Ferguson
Melania looked glamorous in a dark gray Dior skirt suit with a belted jacket, a scarf and her signature stiletto heels.
‘She had once looked stunned and surprised to hear herself applauded but this time she looked prepared for the cheers, clapping and ovation, basking in the personal adulation rather than hiding from it.’
She left the White House with President Donald Trump and rode with him in the Beast for the short trip to Capitol Hill. The couple exited the White House holding hands and Trump clung to her.
James said it was clear that Melania has been ‘fully crowned as an active and essential part of Trump’s reign.’
‘This was the Melania of the new official portrait, someone who looks like a power player in her own right and someone far more comfortable to be exchanging rituals of affection and admiration with her husband in public.’
Trump drew attention to several causes close to Melania’s heart during his address: deepfake AI images and the Fostering the Future scholarship.
Fifteen-year-old Elliston Berry from Aledo, was the victim of bullying and an AI-generated, sexually explicit ‘deepfake’ image.
Her attendance as a guest of Melania Trump’s is meant to bring awareness to the rise of these attacks.
Melania looked glamorous in a dark gray Dior skirt suit with a belted jacket, a scarf and her signature stiletto heels
As he addressed the packed room of Democrats, Republicans and their guests, Trump said: ‘I want to recognize another person who has devoted herself to foster care, community, she works so hard on it’
Second Lady of the United States Usha Vance and First Lady of the United States Melania Trump shake hands
Melania’s other guest was Haley Ferguson, a former foster child who received a scholarship through one of Melania’s campaigns.
The scholarship is designed to prepare recipients ‘to enter the workforce and ultimately reach financial independence.’
James said: ‘She paused… to acknowledge the wild ovation, standing with her arms hanging straight at her sides in a signal of confidence.
‘Her flattened palm to the front wave was more a hail to the crowd and when her husband made his arrival she was seen standing applauding with her eyes gleaming.’
Melania was joined by her stepchildren: Ivanka Trump with husband Jared Kushner, Don Jr. with girlfriend Bettina Anderson, Eric and Lara Trump, and Tiffany Trump and husband Michael Boulos.
Her father Viktor Knavs was also at the speech. Usha Vance, the second lady, sat in the first lady’s box.
The first couple’s son Barron, 18, is a freshman at New York University and has class this week so did not attend the speech.
On Monday Melania was in the Capitol to relaunch her Be Best campaign. She joined lawmakers in speaking out against revenge porn and deep fakes generated by AI.
Melania was beaming as her husband praised two of the women she brought as guests
President Donald Trump and Melania Trump left the White House holding hands
Second lady Usha Vance (left) and Melania Trump (right) at the president’s speech
Two of Trump’s children, Ivanka and Don Jr. with their partners ahead of Trump’s speech to Congress
In her speech, she slammed Democrats for their lack of support on the issue.
‘I expected to see more Democrat leaders with us here today to address this serious issue. Surely as adults, we can prioritize America’s children ahead of partisan politics,’ she said.
Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California was the only Democratic lawmaker at the event, which took place in the U.S. Capitol building. Republican Senator Ted Cruz hosted the event, in which lawmakers expressed support for his Take It Down Act.
