President Donald Trump dances with wife Melania at the Commander and Chief Ball on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump attends some of the inaugural balls after taking the oath as the 47th president. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)
In a whirlwind of recent activity, Donald and Melania Trump attended Pope Francis’s funeral in Rome on Saturday, which also coincided with the First Lady’s 55th birthday celebrations.
As President Trump commemorates his centenary day in office this 29 April, savvy lip readers spotted some telling interactions between him and Melania at the sombre event. These moments offer a rare glimpse into the First Lady’s unspoken thoughts concerning her husband’s second White House tenure.
On the day Trump triumphantly took the oath as the United States’ 47th president, he and Melania revelled at three inaugural galas amongst loved ones. However, it was their Liberty Ball dance that captured attention, deemed ‘awkward’ by some onlookers.
Lip-reading maestro Jeremy Freeman decoded Melania’s reinforcing whispers to Trump during the dance. He unpacked her supposed utterance: “Today is one we will never forget,” met with Trump’s agreeable, “You’re right, I’ll learn, I’ll fight.”
Melania’s tenderness continued, murmuring “I got you.”, reports the Mirror US.
A tentative Trump responded: “We’ll see. Will you control it? Less tricky, less pushing away.”
Seemingly, she then articulated “it’s a no,” to which Trump acknowledged, “I hear you.”
Despite Melania’s sincere expressions, body language expert Mark Bowden pointed out her apparent unease during their duet – seemingly mitigating Trump’s ‘burden.’
US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump arrive at the funeral of Pope Francis (Image: Getty Images)
A body language expert analysed: “This shaky start leaves Trump leaning his full weight forward, while Melania manages to meet him cheek to cheek. With her wide-brimmed hat no longer serving as a barrier, the couple is closer than earlier in the day-though precariously close to the ear that once took a bullet.”
Another observer remarked on X: “Trump and Melania’s Inaugural Ball first dance was something else-a stiff, awkward shuffle that looked more like a hostage situation than a celebration. The man who claimed he’d “Make America Great Again” couldn’t even make a slow dance look convincing.”
Pope’s funeral
Despite perhaps not being entirely comfortable dancing in front of the world, Melania demonstrated grace when surrounded by global leaders at the Pope’s funeral.
Lip reader Jeremy was again available to scrutinise any interactions. A revealing few seconds showed French President Emmanuel Macron whispering to Finland President Alexander Stubb.
They then shook hands and smiled for the camera as Macron reportedly encouraged him to continue holding. As this occurred, Melania, quietly observing the actions of world leaders around her, leaned in close to Trump to whisper three words of advice.
She seemed to do so subtly, possibly to avoid drawing attention, and Jeremy claimed she said: “Donald, look left.”
Trusting his wife’s wise counsel, Trump immediately turned left, and spoke to leaders like the King of Spain, Felipe VI, saying “great to see you… great to see you.”
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk to board Marine One (Image: AP)
After a subtle prompt from his wife, he smoothly transitioned into diplomatic mode, offering his hand to both Stubb and Macron with the words: “Great to see you Alex, good to see you, how are you doing?”.
This fleeting yet revealing interaction underscores Melania’s keen awareness, subtly guiding her husband to project a statesmanlike image.
Lip reader Nicola Hickling highlighted another instance at the funeral that underscored Melania’s pivotal role in their dynamic. As the congregation, including Prince William, prepared for the Sign of Peace, Trump hesitated until his perceptive wife nudged him forward.
Melania whispered to her husband, prompting Nicola to interpret: “You should go and do it.”
With no immediate reaction from Trump, Melania reiterated her instruction. Trump is said to have responded: “Oh alright.”
Body language expert Judi James described Melania’s discreet intervention as “rather sweet” noting: “It took a rather sweet, smiling whisper from Melania to warn Trump that they were to participate in this ritual known as the ‘Sign of Peace,’ greeting others around them to register peace in the world.”
Trump briefly engaged in handshakes before turning to Macron for what appeared to be a deeper gesture of camaraderie. Macron responded with a closed-lip smile and a look that signalled friendship, while Trump’s handshake seemed more like a display of political dominance, as he pulled Macron’s hand close to his torso with a vigorous motion.
Melania Trump, who boasts a significant following of 3.4 million on Instagram, expressed gratitude for the birthday messages she received over the weekend, also mentioning her attendance at what was described as Pope Francis’ funeral: “Thank you for all the heartfelt birthday wishes. I had the honor of attending Pope Francis’ funeral, on this day, where I prayed for the healing of those who are suffering and for peace in the world.”
A fan praised the former First Lady, commenting, “Behind every good man is a great woman. You are quite the duo with a beautiful family. God Bless you and yours.”
Questions arise about the sincerity of Melania’s smiles. While past appearances have shown her to be quite open, a body language expert proposes she might mask her genuine feelings towards her husband, Trump.
In November, media psychological coach and body language analyst Darren Stanton suggested that Melania’s elusive nature indicates her smiles may be forced, revealing his thoughts: “With Melania, there’s still a reluctance from her. She smiles on stage but it appears to be a fake smile. She’s smiling because she has to, rather than instinctual.
“There was very little reciprocal liking, there was very little tacitness, no hugs, or being really close to each other, they’re pretty distant with no obvious signs of affection.”
Last year, the ex-Slovenian model and mother penned her memoir entitled ‘Melania’, taking readers through the intimate moments of her initial encounter with her future partner. “From the moment our conversation began, I was captivated by his charm and easygoing nature,” she fondly recalls.
As Melania’s memoir comes to a close, she recounts the chilling episode of witnessing her husband dodge an assassination attempt in Bedminster, New Jersey, amid his campaign trail. She paints the picture with intensity: “I watched the chaos unfold: the gunfire, Donald instinctively reaching up to his head, and the immediate response of Secret Service agents shielding him.”
Melania shares her immense relief over Donald’s survival, labelling it a genuine miracle, and narrates the excruciating wait to connect with him post-event. Reliving the anguish, she confides: “[E]ach time we saw Donald’s bloodied face, I had to remind myself that I had actually just spoken to him.”