A specialist has analyzed Melania Trump’s body language during the announcement of her husband, Donald Trump, as the new president-elect of the United States.
The outcome of the US election was anticipated earlier when Trump was predicted to win key swing states such as North Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. However, it was his victory in Wisconsin that secured him the necessary 270 votes.
Trump announced his victory after the Republican Party took Pennsylvania on the morning of Wednesday, November 6. He addressed his supporters from his campaign headquarters in West Palm Beach, Florida, confirming his forthcoming role as America’s 47th president in January 2025.
He expressed to his audience: “Every single day I will be fighting for you, with every single breath in my body. I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe and prosperous America that children deserve.
“And that you deserve. This will truly be the golden age for America. They were tough races… the number of victories in the Senate was absolutely incredible.”
Trump was joined on stage by his family, including his wife Melania, son Barron, and daughter Ivanka.
Body language expert Judi James, speaking to Paddy Power Games, assessed that Melania, 54, appeared ‘powerful’ and ‘confident’ as she stood alongside her husband on stage.
“During [Trump’s] arrival on stage, he stepped out to pose, looking momentarily overwhelmed. While his right hand punched the air gently his face seemed puckered in a moment of inner emotion,” James explained.
“It was Melania, in a businesslike grey power suit and the towering Barron who flanked Trump exhibiting the body language signals of strength and support.”
James pointed out that Trump’s body language suggested he ‘seeks support and strength’ from Melania, who was ‘promoted to a star in her own right’ as she stood with him.
“Trump’s gesticulation and touch rituals with her gave the impression that he seeks support and strength from her rather than the other way round,” the expert added.
“While Trump opted to not bare his teeth in a smile, Melania was beaming with rounded cheeks of pride and delight and baring both upper and lower teeth in her smiles.”
The couple shared an embrace on stage, with Trump acknowledging Melania for her ‘number one best-selling book’ in the US.
“He turned to throw his arms out for a congratulatory hug to her. Melania responded with both hands held out palms-up and there was a familiarly awkward-looking moment before the couple docked.”
James highlighted that the most significant indication of Melania’s ‘power and confidence’ was when she placed her arm on Trump’s back.
“A revealing signal of Melania’s power and confidence came as she stretched an arm out to place her hand on Trump’s back to steer (or gently push) him back to the lectern,” she continued.
“A final signal of Trump’s new power dynamic with Melania came when another guy took to the mic and Trump edged across to his wife to push his fingers into her hand like a small child seeking reassurance from its mother.”
This marks Trump’s second term in the White House, with his inauguration scheduled for January 2025.