In honour of her husband’s 79th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, the First Lady accompanied him at a stately military parade in Washington, D.C.
Based on their verbal and nonverbal signs, a body language expert who studied Donald and Melania Trump’s interactions during the U.S. Army Grand Military Parade’s 250th birthday on June 14 concluded that there was a tense dynamic between them.
Body language expert Judi James noted that Melania’s gestures suggested underlying “tension,” indicating minor hand gestures or hair adjustments that might be a reflection of inner uneasiness.
Her behaviour changed, though, when she was speaking with her husband; she seemed more attentive and involved. She briefly grasped his hand at the beginning of the ceremony, which was another unusual public display of affection between the couple.
According to the expert, Melania seemed more stiff than her husband, often adopting the official posture of the military officer next him.
The parade itself received less notice than the nationwide “No Kings” rallies that opposed it and Donald’s deployment of the National Guard. In reaction to criticism that portrayed him as a monarch or tyrant, the expert further hypothesised that the president might have been quietly downplaying his role during the march.
Judi clarified, “His jacket is unbuttoned which looks decidedly casual as he stands between a military audience and his air-fist ritual as he walks on looks like a tempered version of a victory salute to the crowds.”
According to the expert, the president made a conscious effort to differentiate himself from the surrounding military people by dressing in his typical suit. By purposefully keeping himself apart from the military members, Donald implied that he had come to pay respect to them rather than to become one of their number.
Additionally, his easygoing sitting position suggested that this was not a formal public performance but rather a typical workday. Judi, on the other hand, noted that the first lady opted for a more traditional appearance, donning a cream, double-breasted, fitted power suit that had a refined and authoritative demeanour.
“While Melania performs a wide, Duchenne smile, his smile is the lip-clamped, acknowledging version and his posture slumps as he rests his elbows on his thighs and splays his knees with his hands forming a downward steeple gesture,” Judi said.
The analyst observed that the president’s excitement seemed to increase as the parade went on. In an apparent attempt to demonstrate both respect and a closer relationship with the troops, he added a low air-punch with his left hand while standing in a stationary salute for extended periods of time.
