Melania Trump's stony-faced photo with Donald has critics asking if she was 'paid extra' to hold his hand

WASHINGTON, DC: Melania Trump has evoked fans' curiosity after she appeared stony-faced while being photographed during her latest outing with her husband, Donald Trump.

The first lady was seen holding hands with the President while coming out of the White House ahead of his address at the Congress on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. 

Ever since the 78-year-old MAGA spearhead took the Oval Office in his first term, the internet has been buzzing about his relationship with his wife, with several netizens sensing a coldness between the married couple during public outings.

Melania's not-so-welcoming face during her latest outing has, however, done nothing much to dampen the rumors. The awkward moment of public affection between her and the President caught netizens' attention, who asked whether she was being "paid extra" for holding hands with him.

Melania Trump and Donald Trump lock hands while coming out of the White House

As Donald and Melania Trump came out of the White House, they appeared to be holding hands before the first lady appeared to yank her hand away from the president's grasp. 

While the 54-year-old Slovenia-born First Lady maintained a stoic countenance while walking beside her husband, she flashed a smile toward the waiting photographers before getting into the car, as reported by the Irish Star. 

The couple was on their way to the Commander-in-Chief's first address to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol since his inauguration in January. 

Dressed in a dark gray blazer and pencil skirt attire, the mother-of-one looked sharp beside the president, who wore his signature dark blue suit. 

Nevertheless, the short instance of hand-holding between Trump and Melania did not sit well with a segment of social media users. 

As CSPAN shared a short clip of the couple coming out of the White House, some trolls even suggested that Melania was getting “paid” for showing the moment of affection. 

The speculation about the couple’s relationship not only plagued Trump’s first term but is also raising questions during his second term.

Melania created headlines during her husband's inauguration ceremony when her wide-brimmed hat posed a hindrance as the president attempted to plant a kiss on her cheek before ascending the podium for his inaugural address. 

As the president attempted to kiss his wife on her cheek, her Eric Javits hat became an obstruction, resulting in an awkward air kiss. Needless to say, the incident did little to thwart the damning speculations regarding the couple’s relationship as the critics suggested the warmth in their relationship is no longer to be found. 

Internet asks Melania Trump if she was paid extra' to hold husband Donald's hand before Congress address

People took to social media to find the meaning behind First Lady Melania Trump's rare affectionate gesture toward her president husband as they left the White House before his address at the joint session of Congress at the Capitol. 

One of the social media users exclaimed, "Wait. She actually let him hold her hand?! She didn’t smack it away. 🤯."

Someone else, however, unceremoniously asked, "How much extra is Melania Trump getting paid to hold Donald's hand?"

"🙄 Makes you wonder what is in her NDA contract 😳," chimed in another social media user. 

Someone else quipped, "I guess @MELANIATRUMP was paid extra to hold his hand. How nice 😂."

Another netizen asked, "How much does Melania Trump charge for handholding?"

"Is she getting paid extra to attend?" questioned another troll on the social media. 

Another user asked, "How much is Melania getting paid for this appearance?"

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