What Melania Trump’s Smile at Donald Trump’s Speech to Congress Means, According to Body Language Expert
ArchiveFirst published March 6, 2025. It may not reflect later developments.
During Donald Trump’s March 5 address to Congress, he praised First Lady Melania Trump for her work on the “Take It Down” Act, which targets deepfake and non-consensual pornography. As she smiled and clapped, body language expert Darren Stanton suggested her reaction was forced.
“She was not happy at all to have everyone looking at her. There were no crow’s feet, and the top half of her face was not engaged in the smile at all,” Stanton explained, noting visible tension and discomfort.
Trump also acknowledged two women seated with Melania: Hayley Fergusson, a beneficiary of her Fostering the Future initiative, and Elliston Berry, a victim of deepfake abuse. “Trump likes to shift attention toward her, but she would clearly rather remain out of the limelight,” Stanton observed.
Melania’s newly revealed 2025 White House portrait has drawn mixed reactions. The black-and-white image shows her in a tailored black suit, standing with hands on a reflective table, exuding authority. The Washington Monument in the background reinforces her presence in political power.
Opinions varied. Some admired her intensity—”Those eyes……….!!!”—while others found her expression harsh: “Yikes, she looks so mean!” One observer remarked, “She looks like a female version of her husband.”
Photographed by Régine Mahaux, who also took her 2017 portrait, the image contrasts sharply with its predecessor. The 2017 version featured a warm glow and a gentle half-smile, while the 2025 portrait presents a firm gaze and commanding stance. Experts concluded, “She is firmly in Washington, embracing her role more intentionally than before.”
