In a seemingly unscripted moment during the Middle-East Peace Trip to Tel Aviv in 2017, former First Lady Melania Trump made headlines when a video captured her apparent rebuff of Donald Trump’s attempt to hold her hand at Ben Gurion International Airport. The incident, caught on camera, has since prompted speculation and analysis by body language experts.
The ‘presidential couple’ arrived in Tel Aviv on May 22, 2017, Melania trailing a half-step behind her husband. As the 77-year-old extended his hand towards hers, the First Lady, without a change in expression, swatted his hand away, leaving onlookers and experts puzzled about the unexpected gesture.
According to Patti Wood, a body language expert, Melania’s move was deliberate, suggesting a power dynamic. Wood commented, “He was walking way in front to show his power and putting his hand back to lead her like a child.” She added, “her hand went under his and up and out to say ‘No, you can’t lead me like a child.'”
Speculation arose regarding whether Melania was averse to public displays of affection with her husband. Theories circulated, but the underlying reason for the rebuff remained a mystery. As the couple joined Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, along with then-President Reuven Rivlin and his wife Nechama for a brief speech, Melania maintained her composure.
Wood noted a shift in the Trumps’ public interactions, explaining that prior to their presidential roles, their relationship involved more casual and intimate moments. However, the expectations had evolved with their positions, with Donald Trump aiming to project a presidential image rather than that of a couple.
The body language expert pointed out Trump’s conscious efforts to assert dominance through gestures, especially in the media. This incident, however, stood in contrast to a previous one in February 2017 when Melania extended her hand to her husband, and he merely patted and dropped it, indicating a lack of interest in holding hands.
Mary Jordan, author of the unauthorized biography “The Art of Her Deal: The Untold Story of Melania Trump,” shed light on the couple’s unusual relationship. Based on interviews with White House staff and insiders, Jordan revealed that the Trumps often spend considerable time apart, even when physically in the same building. She described Melania as a loner who prefers isolation, highlighting the uniqueness of their relationship.
As the incident sparked public curiosity, it remains one of the many chapters in the enigmatic narrative of the ‘First Couple,’ offering a glimpse into the intricacies of their dynamic.
