Trump bolted from Pope Francis’ funeral to get back to his New Jersey golf club 'before end of the day'
VATICAN CITY, VATICAN: Did Donald Trump leave Pope Francis' funeral early to head back to his golf club? Reports have surfaced suggesting that Trump's hasty departure from Rome after attending the pope's funeral on Saturday was all about returning to his New Jersey golf club.
After posing for photos with foreign dignitaries, Trump and his wife, Melania, quickly made their way to Air Force One.
Particularly, the couple made headlines for sharing an awkward kiss before parting ways after their arrival in US from Rome.
How many hours were Trump and Melania in Rome?
According to a report from The New York Times, President Trump and first lady Melania were in Rome for just 14 hours.
Journalists David Sanger and Motoko Rich noted that it was a “startlingly fast turnaround for the first overseas trip of a new president, and left no time for discussion of his tariffs on the European Union, his turn toward normalizing relations with Russia or his insistence that Europeans must take far larger responsibility for their own defense."
The report highlighted that the quick departure was driven by Trump’s desire to return to his Bedminster golf resort in New Jersey before the day’s end. The report shared, "He wanted to make it back to his [Bedminster] golf resort in New Jersey before the end of the day."
Reports also revealed about Trump’s brief but widely publicized meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. An aide to Zelensky reportedly tried to delay Trump’s “speedy departure” for further talks, but the schedules of both presidents did not allow for it.
Upon their return to the US, The Independent reports that Trump and Melania “parted ways” after stepping off Air Force One, despite it being the first lady’s 55th birthday.
Donald Trump and Melania share an awkward birthday kiss
As they returned from Pope Francis’ funeral, President Donald Trump and Melania Trump shared what many online called an awkward birthday kiss at Newark Airport.
On the eve of Melania’s 55th birthday, the couple exchanged a quick kiss on the cheek before going their separate ways, a moment that quickly caught the internet’s attention.
As Trump walked toward Marine One, he suddenly paused, turned back, and approached Melania for a brief kiss.
POTUS and FLOTUS landed back at Newark. Potus got on Marine One to head to his Bedminister club. FLOTUS got into a SUV and drove off. Potus gave her a kiss goodbye. Today is her 55th birthday and staff carried a big bouquet of flowers off Air Force One. pic.twitter.com/N43gY6JO8l
— Emily Goodin (@Emilylgoodin) April 26, 2025
While the gesture appeared affectionate, it came across as stiff and slightly uncomfortable, with some comparing it to a shy teenage couple sharing a kiss under watchful eyes.
Trump had initially waved goodbye but then seemed to reconsider, offering a last-minute peck on the cheek. Melania responded with a subtle lean and a light touch on his shoulder, while Trump wrapped his arm around her lower back.
After the brief and somewhat tense moment, Trump boarded Marine One to head to his National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey while Melania got into her SUV and departed separately, as per Irish Star.
This isn’t the first time the couple has had an awkward kiss; at Trump’s inauguration, Melania’s hat appeared to block his attempt as he leaned in for a kiss.
