What Melania Trump’s Smile at Donald Trump’s Speech to Congress Means, According to Body Language Expert

During President Donald Trump’s address to Congress on Tuesday, March 5, he praised First Lady Melania Trump’s work, prompting her to smile. However, a body language expert observed subtle signs of discomfort and frustration despite her positive expression.

In his address to Congress, Donald highlighted Melania’s advocacy for the “Take It Down” Act, which seeks to criminalize the publication of deepfake and non-consensual pornography. The bill also seeks to mandate platforms to remove such content.

Throughout this special mention, Melania could be seen smiling and clapping as the camera focused on her. Despite Melania’s outwardly positive expression, body language expert Darren Stanton suggested she may not have been entirely comfortable in the moment.

He noted that her smile appeared forced, with tension visible in her mouth. According to the expert, Melanie smiled out of politeness rather than happiness at her efforts getting the well-deserved recognition.

Darren added that the lack of engagement in her eyes indicated that she likely did not enjoy being the center of attention. “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,” he explained.

In his speech, Donald commended Melania’s efforts as the Senate has already passed the “Take It Down” Act. He stated that once the bill passes the House of Representatives, he looks forward to signing it into law.

The 78-year-old also mentioned two ladies who accompanied Melania. One of the two is Hayley Fergusson, a beneficiary of Melania’s Fostering the Future initiative. Hayley is studying to become a teacher. The other lady is Eliston Berry, a victim of an illicit deepfake image created by a peer.

Donald thanked Melania Trump, the two ladies, and all those who worked on the “Take It Down” Act, and everyone stood up to clap. Darren noted that all these mentions were unwelcome by Melania, “Trump likes to shift attention towards her but she would clearly rather remain out of the limelight. She was visibly very embarrassed and uncomfortable.”

Darren pointed out key differences between a genuine smile and Melania’s reaction during Donald’s address. He said genuine smiles typically involve wide eyes, raised eyebrows, and a slightly open mouth, none of which were present in Melania’s expression.

Instead, her eyes tightened, her eyebrows pulled together, and she pursed her lips, suggesting frustration rather than joy. According to the expert, this indicated more than just embarrassment; she appeared visibly uncomfortable and even angry at being placed in the spotlight once again.

Before the Congressional address, Melania and Donald Trump were filmed leaving the White House together. They held hands as they walked, only letting go when they separated to enter the vehicle from different sides.

Others present at the joint address were Melania’s stepchildren, Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, Don Jr. with his girlfriend Bettina Anderson, Eric and Lara Trump, as well as Tiffany Trump and her husband Michael Boulos.

Melania’s father, Viktor Knavs, was also in attendance, while Second Lady Usha Vance sat in the First Lady’s box. Notably absent was Barron Trump, who is currently a freshman at New York University and had classes this week, preventing him from attending the speech.

Aside from Melania’s smile at the Congressional hearing, which the body language expert has suggested wasn’t genuine, Melania is often noted for her serious and composed demeanor. Her official White House portrait released in late January 2025, showcased her stoic expression.

Experts shared reflections on the nuances of the striking, widely discussed image, providing context as to what it represents.

The striking black-and-white composition immediately commands attention. With a poised yet authoritative stance, Melania leans forward, placing both hands firmly on a reflective glass table, exuding confidence and control. She wore a tailored black suit, including a structured blazer paired with a crisp white button-up shirt and high-waisted trousers.

Her long, wavy hair cascaded effortlessly over one shoulder, framing her chiseled features, while her makeup remained understated, with defined brows and subtly accentuated eyes adding to the overall polished look.

Behind her, the grand windows of the White House offer a glimpse of the Washington Monument, its presence subtly reinforcing the historical weight of the moment. The natural light filtering through the glass cast a soft glow on her face, enhancing the contrast between her dark ensemble and the luminous backdrop.

After the White House portrait was revealed, online discussions erupted, with netizens expressing a wide range of opinions. Several users commented on her eyes, with one exclaiming, “Those eyes……….!!!” while another observed, “Wow! Those eyes tell me she is serious.”

Others took a more critical approach to voicing their thoughts, pointing out what they believed to be a harsh expression. “Yikes she looks so mean!” opined one person. Similarly, someone else said, “That look on her Face…if [sic] looks could kill.”

Many netizens also referenced an uncanny resemblance between Melania and Donald. “I swear she’s looking more and more like her husband,” noted an observer.

Another questioned, “Why am I seeing a Donald Trump hard eye glare??” while someone else remarked, “She looks like a female version of her husband.”

On the flip side, a supporter swooned, “Beautiful and classy!!” However, a skeptic questioning the authenticity of the image asserted, “So photoshopped, does not even look like her.”

The person responsible for the widely debated portrait is someone deeply familiar with her subject. Régine Mahaux, a Belgian photographer with over two decades of experience photographing the Trump family, was once again entrusted with the responsibility of creating Melania’s official White House portrait.

Having previously shot the First Lady’s 2017 portrait during Donald’s first term, Régine expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to do so again in a recent interview. Beyond her longstanding professional relationship with the Trumps, Régine also emphasized Melania’s personal investment in the creative process.

She described working with her as a privilege, noting that the First Lady’s perfectionism and hands-on approach played a key role in shaping the final image.

Experts analyzing Melania’s newly unveiled portrait have noted the carefully curated nuances within the composition—elements that subtly yet powerfully shape the message it conveys.

According to them, her assertive stance, with fingertips placed firmly on a reflective glass table, projects a sense of authority and purpose.

Similarly, the pose appears to signal a readiness to engage with the responsibilities of the First Lady, a role that traditionally blends advocacy and public service with the ceremonial duties of White House hostess.

Melania’s undeniable ease in front of the camera is another defining aspect of the portrait, a quality attributed not only to her years as a model but also to her longstanding professional relationship with Régine.

Having worked together for more than two decades, Régine is someone the First Lady deeply trusts—an essential factor in capturing an image that embodies confidence, composure, and timeless elegance.

However, the portrait is not simply a declaration of power; it also maintains an air of distance. Experts point out that, despite the commanding pose, Melania has strategically positioned herself behind the ultra-polished table, creating a subtle but noticeable boundary between herself and the viewer.

The choice reflects an element of restraint, reinforcing the aura of mystery and inscrutability that has long characterized her public persona.

When placed side by side, Melania’s 2025 White House portrait stands in contrast to the one taken during her initial tenure as First Lady.

Experts analyzing the two images have pointed out the subtle yet significant shifts in tone, composition, and symbolism—each capturing a different facet of Melania’s evolving public image.

In her 2017 portrait, Melania exuded a softer elegance. With a gentle half-smile, parted lips, and a warm, glowing backdrop, the image carried an air of accessibility and approachability. The soft focus further accentuated this effect, lending a polished, almost ethereal quality to her presence.

Fast-forward to 2025, and the transformation is striking. The warm hues have been replaced with a stark black-and-white palette. Gone is the subtle warmth of her expression—her lips now firmly set, her gaze direct, unwavering, and undeniably intense.

Experts have noted that while eye contact can often signal openness, in this portrait, it reads more as a statement of strength rather than an invitation for accessibility.

Another notable shift is in location. Unlike her 2017 portrait, which was taken in the family quarters of the executive mansion, in the 2025 one, the Washington Monument stands unmistakably behind her, visually reinforcing her presence in the heart of political power.

The message is clear—she is firmly in Washington, not New York or Mar-a-Lago, embracing her role in a way that appears far more intentional than before.