Resurfaced clips showing Donald Trump repeatedly attempting to hold Melania Trump’s hand, only to be rebuffed, have reignited speculation about the state of their marriage. The viral moments, edited together in a Reddit post titled “Donald Trump pretending to be married to Melania,” have sparked humor and critique, with users analyzing the couple’s interactions and body language.
One of the most notable instances occurred in 2017 during a visit to Tel Aviv. As the Trumps walked the red carpet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, Melania appeared to swat Donald’s hand away, a moment widely discussed and reported by The Hill.
Another example came during a trip to Ohio, where Melania strategically used her coat to block access to her hands. In yet another instance, Melania visibly freed herself from Donald’s grasp with a forceful swing, causing him to stumble before adjusting his suit. These repeated moments of public avoidance have fueled rumors of tension in their relationship, with body language experts and internet sleuths weighing in on their dynamic.
In her memoir Melania, the former First Lady addressed one of these viral moments, explaining the 2017 red carpet incident. “As we walked down the red carpet, I gently waved away his attempt to hold my hand. The media labeled it as a ‘swat’ and used it as supposed evidence of marital discord,” she wrote, blaming the media for sensationalizing a trivial misunderstanding.
According to her, protocol required the president and prime minister to walk side by side, leaving the spouses behind. However, more recent instances, including moments during the 2020 presidential debate and while exiting Air Force One, have only added to speculation. During one viral moment, Melania pulled her hand away and nudged Donald before walking off, visibly irritated.
Netizens didn’t hold back their opinions. One Reddit user commented, “The hand swat in the white dress is still my favorite.” Another joked, “She’s just waiting for him to die, trying to do the bare minimum to maximize inheritance and not get booted from the will.” Others noted, “They both know they’re being filmed, that’s the best part. He desperately wants to be seen holding hands, and she does her best to avoid it.”
Body language expert Darren Stanton analyzed similar interactions during Donald’s post-election speech at Mar-a-Lago, noting Melania’s “contrived smile” and “very little reciprocal liking.” Stanton concluded, “There’s no passion; she doesn’t want to be there…He is doing all the work here.” As these moments continue to resurface, they offer a glimpse into one of the most scrutinized relationships in modern political history.