In a rare public display of affection, U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were seen sharing warm and supportive gestures during the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, April 26. The solemn event coincided with Melania Trump’s 55th birthday, a moment that, according to body language expert Judi James, appeared to deepen the emotional connection between the couple during the high-profile ceremony.
The Trumps maintained a unified front throughout the funeral service, held at St. Peter’s Basilica. Melania, who is the second Roman Catholic First Lady after Jacqueline Kennedy, appeared visibly emotional during the three-hour Catholic Mass. According to James, Donald Trump’s behavior seemed especially considerate of both the occasion and his wife’s personal feelings.
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“I think that (Trump) was very aware that it was also his wife’s birthday, and also he seemed very mindful of the fact that Melania did seem to be in a reasonable state of mourning,” said James in an interview with The Sun.
The couple’s body language throughout the day revealed a more tactile side of their relationship, which has rarely been observed in public. As they stood before the Pope’s coffin, Trump gently placed an arm around Melania to guide her, a gesture that reflected sensitivity and support.
“When they stood in front of the coffin, we could see him place an arm around her to get her into position. He was much more tactile with her,” noted James. “He spoke to her. He made a smile, he made a laugh. And although that might be normal for most couples, for those two, that is quite a rare event. So they were very warm together.”
A candid moment that caught the attention of observers came when Melania whispered into Donald’s ear, prompting him to participate in the traditional “sign of peace” among world leaders. Lip reader Nicola Hickling interpreted the whisper as, “You should do it,” encouraging him to engage diplomatically.
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Trump also held a notable meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky — their first since a contentious Oval Office encounter earlier this year. Seated closely, the two leaders shared what body language experts described as an intense and strategic discussion.
“Although this pose may have looked at first glance like two men locking horns… they looked to me like two grand masters playing a game of chess,” said James. “They appeared to be listening to each other… There was no state of power posturing.”
Despite the solemn occasion, the funeral offered a rare glimpse into the evolving personal dynamics of the Trumps — a mix of public duty, personal emotion, and subtle political nuance.
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