Melania, Donald Trump Show 'Deliberate' Lack Of Touch At Amalija's Funeral, Body Language Expert Explains
Melania Trump and Donald Trump were noticeably keeping their distance from each other during her mom's funeral, according to a body language expert.
Melania and Trump were seen in public with their son, Barron Trump, at Amalija Knavs' funeral Thursday morning. Judi James, a leading communication and body language expert who has appeared regularly on BBC News, Sky News, GB News, and CNN, weighed in on the former first couple's gestures, and she said that the distance between them seemed "deliberate."
"Donald and Melania have positioned their son between them rather than standing together here, and Trump himself is standing rigidly to attention with his chin raised as though wanting to perform a mark of formal respect for his mother-in-law," James told Mirror.
"The lack of touch here could be deliberate. When someone has to mourn in public, it is common to worry that acts of comfort, support and affection can make them lose their composure completely, and that might be Melania's concern that she needs to stay in control of her emotions at this very public moment for the ex-FLOTUS."
The expert noted that the Trumps were emotional during the funeral. James noticed that the former president adopted a similar pose to his wife, and he was "much more vulnerable than usual." In the snaps, Trump was seen with his arms to the front of his torso with a "reflective-looking frown on his face."
Barron was photographed at one point reaching out to his dad. James claimed the teenager wanted to send a message of support and comfort to his grieving father.
"It elicits an unusual response from their son Barron, too. Clearly tuned into his father's mood, he extends a hand in what looks like a mimed or truncated embrace that could suggest a desire to show comfort and/or support," James said of Barron's gesture, as captured by photographers.
James added that the sight was "an unusual display of emotion" from Trump as it appeared that he was mourning his mother-in-law as a "personal loss." Melania, who spent the last weeks looking after her sick mom, visibly looked distraught, too.
Melania paid tribute to her late mother in her eulogy and spoke about their "unbreakable" bond and how Amalija embodied the "best mother, wife, grandmother, mother-in-law." She also said that her late mom was a "true beacon of love and luxury" in their lives.
WATCH: Today the Trump family held the funeral for Amalija Knavs, the mother of @MELANIATRUMP.
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) January 18, 2024
First Lady Melania Trump gave a heartfelt and touching eulogy at her mother’s funeral today.
President Trump began his Iowa Caucus victory speech on Monday by praising his mother in… pic.twitter.com/w3W89BWSz3
"In her presence, the world seemed to shimmer with radiance and joy. Our bond was unbreakable," Melania said.
"With her beauty and impeccable sense of style, she turned the heads of many. But it's not just her appearance that set her apart, it's her unwavering dedication and hard work that truly made her exceptional."
