Body language expert decodes Melania Trump’s smile as husband Donald delivers speech to Congress
WASHINGTON, DC: Melania Trump has come back to the spotlight after laying low for a month since her husband Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20. A body language expert has now claimed that she is embracing the limelight like never before.
The once reserved first lady has slowly come out of her shell as she was seen embracing her political self during her husband’s joint address to Congress.
The 54-year-old Slovenia-born first lady was seen beaming when President Trump delivered his address at the US Capitol on Tuesday, March 4.
This is so cute. President Trump sees Melania in the crowd and points to her and smiles 🥰 pic.twitter.com/7l19dKTduT
— FLOTUS Report (@MELANIAJTRUMP) March 5, 2025
Body language expert decodes Melania Trump’s smile
Speaking to Daily Mail, body language expert Judi James decoded the countenance of the first lady and claimed that Melania Trump “beamed like a smitten teenager” while watching her husband deliver the address.
Remarking on the warmth in the Trumps’ marital relationship, James explained, “There was a moment of almost romantic affection,” referencing the specific moment when the president pointed up to his wife in the crowd.
“The woman who used to be known for her impassive demeanor beamed back like a smitten teenager,” noted the body language interpreter, before adding, “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.”
During his address in the room full of politicians and diplomats, Trump gushed, “I want to recognize another person who has devoted herself to foster care, community, she works so hard on it,” before name-checking, “Very loving person, our magnificent first lady of the United States.”
James further analyzed Melania’s dark gray Dior ensemble, noting, “In her charcoal gray power suit Melania was a more commanding and confident presence here than at any previous addresses.”
James further continued, “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.”
The analyst further reflected on the first couple’s adorable stance of holding hands while leaving the White House for their short ride in the Beast to the US Capitol, and noted that through the power move 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,” added the expert.
Melania Trump acknowledges ‘wild ovation’ with confidence
As Judi James noted, Melania Trump beaming like a “smitten teenager” was partially due to the fact that Trump addressed some of the topics close to her heart, including deepfake AI images and the Fostering the Future scholarship.
Among her guests, Melania had the 15-year-old Elliston Berry from Aledo, who was the victim of bullying and an AI-generated explicit 'deepfake' image. The first lady’s other guest was Haley Ferguson, who received a scholarship through one of Melania's campaigns.
Thus, James said that when Trump mentioned the FLOTUS’ name, Melania felt confident about her good work.
James noted, “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,” added the body language expert.
