Melania Trump’s official White House portrait has been a talking point around the world since its release this week, including on today’s Loose Women panel.
Sharing their thoughts on the black and white image live on Wednesday’s episode were; Janet Street Porter, Judi Love, Mariella Frostrup and Charlene White.
During the discussion Janet described the picture as “powerful” and questioned: “Is she the new Mona Lisa?”.
Mariella, on the other hand, claimed Melania needed “to do something to earn” the title of being ‘powerful’ and urged the First Lady to speak out more.
Sharing what she believed the real message is behind the snap, Judi chimed in: “Her doing is marrying a man who, you know, has got quite a status, and not putting her down, you know, she obviously has other things outside, she’s a model and so on.
“That maybe is her thing, standing in her power of being this wife of this successful man who is now the President.”
She went on to say: “I think visually, and a lot of people just look at her as vision. I think she will be a fashion icon, she looked amazing at the Inauguration.
“I think she looked good and I think there will be a lot people that will look at her and like the look, and like her for just her visual. That might be her power.”
Charlene chimed in to say that, regardless of the message, she doesn’t think people should “dismiss the power of fashion”.
“She looks incredibly powerful in that pose,” she shared.
Mariella, however, still stuck by her thoughts and claimed Trump’s wife was “harnessing the power” by not saying anything, adding: “Should we be deceived or compelled by her?”
Playing devil’s advocate, Charlene went on to say the portrait may make people take Melania a bit more seriously than they did during Trump’s first presidency.
She also pointed out that Trump’s wife had discussed her political views previously, including in her autobiography.
Trump and Melania moved into the White House for a second time earlier this month, following his reclaimed victory.
Ahead of his Inauguration, the First Lady said she had “much more experience” and “much more knowledge” this time round.
Speaking on Fox & Friends last year, she added: “I will be in the White House. And you know when I need to be in New York, I will be in New York. When I need to be in Palm Beach, I will be in Palm Beach.
“But my first priority is, you know, to be a mom, to be a first lady, to be a wife.”
