Body language expert claims Melania Trump exhibits ‘passive aggressive’ behavior in official portrait

WASHINGTON, DC: A week after President Donald Trump took office on January 20, Monday, the White House released the official portrait of Melania Trump, taken in the Yellow Oval Room by photographer Regine Mahaux, on January 21. 

After the portrait was released, a body language expert decoded the stunning black-and-white photograph of the first lady. Many people are of the opinion that the mother-of-one exudes a sense of “power” through this portrait. 

Body language and behavioral expert, Darren Stanton, recently spoke to UNILAD, where he analyzed the official portrait, and claimed that there are “four or five different gestures in this picture which clearly say” Melania is trying to exude the image of “power” in her second term as the first lady. 

Studying the portrait, the expert further said that Melania gave off the impression that she “hasn’t come to play” in her husband’s second presidential term.

Melania Trump poses in ‘dominant posture’ for official portrait

The official portrait, released on January 27, Monday, shows First Lady Melania Trump standing upright, her hands resting on a table, and looking straight at the camera. 

Stanton decoded the stance, saying that Melania was standing with a very “open” but “dominant posture” that suggested she “hasn't come to play".

"It’s an extension of the reverse staple gesture that Donald Trump makes, which is when you make a bridge out of your hands and then turn it upside-down. It’s basically saying, 'I’m not someone to be messed with, I’m my own person, and I’m the most important person here',” added Stanton. 

The expert also analyzed Melania’s “spread out” hands, claiming it was “part of this steeple gesture". 

He noted, “The more space we create with our hands, something Trump does a lot of, or any other politician that wants to be perceived as powerful."

Apart from highlighting the idea of “dominance” exuding from the picture, Stanton went further ahead to claim that Melania’s “tilted forwards” posture suggested an “almost passive aggressive” nature. 

Stanton explained, "If someone leans into your personal space, any person in authority with this stance, it’s quite intimidating."

The expert claimed that the first lady’s perceived passive aggression translated into her facial expressions as well.

"Her facial expression, it’s passive aggressive," he explained.

“We can see this from the fact the eyes are squinted, eyebrows together and lips are pierced,” continued Stanton, before adding, “In psychological terms, it’s an anger micro expression."

Body language expert explains Melania Trump's ‘business’ dressing

Darren Stanton further studied the fashion statement Melania Trump created through her dressing, noting she was wearing a business suit instead of opting for a more “laid back” or “feminine clothing".

Always a fashionista, the expert claimed that like the other instances, her fashion choices in the portrait also held enormous implications. 

He highlighted, "A business suit on anyone, means quite literally, I've come to do business, I‘m not a pushover,” before adding, "The look is quite masculine, this whole photograph is about power and the assertion of power. She’s not going to be in the shadows or in the wings this time.”

The expert mused, giving an overview of what can be expected of Melania for the next four years as the Trump 2.0 administration is in full swing. 

Referring to her overall look, the expert claimed, "This is likely a sign we’ll see her have her own projects and things going on over the next four years which will give her a stronger sense of her own identity."

He further evaluated that while the Slovenia-born first lady might not have liked “being in the limelight last time", this time it might be different. 

The common people would see “a lot more” of Melania during Trump’s second term, he said, “not in terms of being with Donald more, but we’ll see her create her own projects".

He also gave his opinion on what could have been the reason behind the black-and-white picture. He said that the shadows gave a “sharper image” providing “clarity and perspective".

Put all these observations together, Stanton deduced that Melania was “going to have more of a voice this time around".