20 March 2024 , 09:33
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Donald Trump appeared "awkward, boyish and submissive" next to Melania as she joined him on the campaign trail, a body language expert has said.
For the first time in weeks, rarely-seen Melania, who has generally been prioritising her role as a parent to that of campaign wife, was spotted travelling with her former president husband to put in her primary ballot, unsurprisingly voting for Trump.
Attending their Palm Beach polling centre, Melania seemed to be close to her husband, wearing a long white collared dress with grey abstract flowers on it, black boots, and black sunglasses. But, one body language expert thought there was something a little off about the couple's dynamic, claiming a usually "arrogant"-looking Trump appeared much more submissive next to his wife.
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Tension between the pair has been widely speculated about (AFP via Getty Images)"From courtrooms to the campaign trail, Trump can produce the body language poses of an arrogant, confident alpha no matter how great the pressure. But here with his wife Melania he suddenly looks awkward, boyish and even subtly submissive," explained body language expert Judi James.
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Notably absent from the campaign trail, Melania's presence is surprising, but perhaps not quite so surprising as her confident husband holding back in Palm Beach. "Melania gets to walk ahead here while Trump follows with his arms straight down at his sides and his chest dropped rather than raised in a splay. He seems to talk to her before applying an odd beaming smile with clamped lips," Judi said.
They went to vote in the primaries (AFP via Getty Images)She added: "There is a hint of tension in terms of any touch rituals. Trump’s hanging arms do look in sore need of a hand clasp but Melania’s right hand appears to be seeking or using a pocket in her skirt to possibly prevent any PDAs here."
Tension is nothing new for the pair as some outlets have reported clear tension in the relationship between the former president and first lady since 2022, when SheKnows reported that Donald had actually blamed Melania for a mid-term loss.
In comparison, Judi said Melania looked 'confident' (Getty Images)Kate Bennett, CNN correspondent and author of Free, Melania: The Unauthorised Biography , told the outlet that not only does Melania allegedly dislike “being in the news,” but she also “doesn’t like her name being attached to the rants and ravings of her husband.”
She seems to have taken a firm stance as a mother and partner now though as she has been spotted in Palm Beach as her husband speaks. "It’s Melania using the more confident body language signals here and even when she watches her husband speak her eyes are hidden behind shades as she looks on without her signature wide, supportive FLOTUS smile," Judi explains.