Melania Trump appeared to “take control” during her return to the United States with her husband following their trip to Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis, according to a body language expert. The First Lady and President Donald Trump traveled to the Vatican for the service, which also served as an opportunity for Trump to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky — their first in-person interaction since a tense Oval Office disagreement in February.
After the funeral, 78-year-old Trump and Melania, who celebrated her 55th birthday on Saturday, made a swift departure to the airport to begin their journey home. Upon landing at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey aboard Air Force One, Melania exited into a waiting vehicle while Trump boarded Marine One.
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Before parting ways, the couple exchanged what body language specialist Judi James described as “an intentional gesture,” a hug and a kiss, in the air before the press. Judi James told The Irish Star that the kiss appeared “instigated and performed” by Melania, contrasting with Trump’s previous birthday absence, when he spent the day in court.
“Trump spent his wife’s last birthday in a courtroom so he could have been determined to use this public display of fondness to create something of a contrast this year. The farewell kiss does actually look instigated and performed by Melania, though,” she explained.
“Stepping off the plane and descending the steps, any touch rituals initially look firmly off the menu. With no bag to carry to act as a barrier in the space between them, Melania chooses to push her left hand into her pocket, making any hand-holding impossible,” Judi added.
James further observed that Trump tried to “gently steer” Melania before performing his own gestures for the cameras: a hail, a fist-raise, and a pointed finger. “He also goes to wave farewell to his wife from a distance as he plods to his helicopter, but he finds her standing waiting in the wind for him like the French Lieutenant’s Woman,” she noted.
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Judi concluded that Melania’s subtle moves, including placing her hand on Trump’s arm, suggested she was asserting control. “The sight seems to trigger some birthday affection, and he walks over to her, talking and with his left hand out in an intentional gesture,” she said. “Her head tilts to instigate the kiss, and both their lips pucker to mime a lip kiss, but in the air.”
The First Lady, dressed casually in a Burberry trench coat after the solemn event, reportedly returned to New York City, possibly to celebrate her birthday with their son, Barron. Trump had promised a “great birthday” celebration on Air Force One, even though he admitted he had not purchased a gift, saying, “It’s been very busy.”
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