Body language expert says Melania stepping out of Ivanka’s shadow with trait Trump lacks
WASHINGTON, DC: According to a body language expert, first lady Melania Trump, during her appearance at a White House event promoting her initiative, showed signs of stepping out of step daughter Ivanka Trump’s shadows, displaying a stronger and more independent public appearance.
The new updates come amid the alleged longstanding tension between the two.
Melania Trump gains spotlight with confidence
Melania Trump on Thursday, November 13, took center stage at the White House during an event highlighting her Fostering the Future initiative.
Speaking to The Mirror US, body language expert Judi James revealed that Melania seemed to have grown in confidence since President Donald Trump's first term.
During the event, the first lady seemed to come into her own while talking about the initiative that will "provide young Americans in or transitioning out of the foster care system with the tools they need to become successful adults."
"It might only be a form of body language optical illusion as Donald and Melania appear to role-swap for this event, but it's amazing how well that role-swap seems to work," James explained.
"Compared to her status and confidence signals when Trump became President for his first term in office, when Ivanka threw her into the chorus line shade and her rather rigid demeanor suggested she was hating every minute of the spotlight."
Melania commands the stage
However, James stated that the first lady "presents as elegant, confident, and even able to throw her own husband into chorus line shade on this appearance."
James commented that while her husband may be the commander-in-chief, it is actually Melania who "steps straight up to the lectern while Donald moves quietly to stand behind and to one side of her, peering round at his wife with a gaze of respect."
James went on to comment that the president's body language "on similar occasions has veered toward the 'proud spouse' poses, but this time he adopts the look of a member of staff with his shoulders slightly hunched as he humbly aims his smile and his eyes at the floor."
She also remarked on how Melania's "energy and her assured movements are in contrast to Trump's heavier, slower style, and they give her the edge in terms of dynamic leadership signals."
Alleged tensions between Melania and stepdaughter Ivanka
According to a report by The Daily Mail, Melania was thrilled when Ivanka did not join her father for their trip to the UK, suggesting that the first lady and first daughter reportedly did not get along.
Those closest to the first lady said that she was filled with joy that her stepdaughter, whom she privately calls a “thorn in her side,” would not tag along for the visit.
“[Ivanka] was always kind of vying for space and Melania wanted her own space,” Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer of the first lady, Mary Jordan, said of the pair. “Melania didn’t need a second first lady that Ivanka had kind of become.”
