Before addressing the nation, Donald Trump, having just taken the oath of office for the second time as the 47th president, arrived at a church service with his wife, Melania Trump. This marked the start of the inauguration process and the end of Joe Biden’s presidency.
Trump declared, “The golden age of America begins right now,” calling himself a “peacemaker and a unifier.”
In front of his supporters in Washington D.C., Trump signed several orders and tossed pens into the crowd as he exited.
However, moments before taking his oath, Trump attempted to kiss his wife. Melania, wearing a custom-designed hat by Eric Javits, seemed to avoid the kiss due to the hat, leading to an awkward moment where Trump ended up air-kissing her.
Body language expert Judi James analyzed the moment for Paddy Power, suggesting that Melania’s “avoidance” could indicate something deeper. James described Trump entering the event with a “slow alpha presence” and a “mouth shrug smile” to convey a serious demeanor.
As Trump reached for Melania’s hand in a gesture resembling those at wedding ceremonies, he leaned in for a kiss. Melania turned her face, initiating a cheek kiss instead of a lip-to-lip one, resulting in both making a small “mwa” sound.
Despite the seemingly out-of-sync interaction, James noted that Melania appeared content with the moment, beaming at her husband as a sign of acknowledgment and unity, signaling their teamwork in the White House.
James concluded that while the couple seemed slightly out of sync during Trump’s inauguration, the First Lady’s reaction showed appreciation for the public display of partnership.