Melania didn't embrace role of first lady because she can't hide fake smiles well, says body language expert
While it has almost been three and a half years since Melania Trump became the first lady of the United States, it took a while for her to "embrace" her new role as she is incapable of hiding "her fake smiles well," a body language expert said.
The mother-of-one was never officially groomed to become the first lady, since she is a former model and her husband did not really have any political ambitions back when they were dating and even when they tied the knot in 2005. Body language expert Darren Stanton told Express that Melania was initially hesitant to step into her role as the FLOTUS and all the responsibilities that came with it.
While she was always comfortable with being in the limelight since she was familiar with the world of showbiz, a first lady's role in the White House is more than just posing for pictures beside their spouse.
First ladies in the past have been tasked with organizing state dinners and holiday celebrations at the White House as well as oversee a host of other events. They are also known to lend their support to campaigns and charity events that hold special significance to them. Although Melania tried her best to do everything that was expected of her, including launching her very own 'Be Best' campaign that focuses on the wellbeing of children, including fighting cyber-bullying, she did not always take to them whole-heartedly.
"It was clear from the outset, this was not going to be a role Melania was going to embrace. Over her time in the White House, I have seen Melania openly demonstrate signs of disdain and contempt at times," Stanton said.
However, as time passed, Melania gradually grew more confident in her skin and it showed in the changes in her behavioral patterns and her willingness to attend an increasing number of public events. "Melania is not one that can hide her fake smiles well," Santon said. "You can always tell a fake smile because only half the face is engaged and regardless of age you will always see crows' feet at the sides of the face. Recent photos capture genuine happiness and Melania is clearly happy."
While Stanton's words are true for the most part, it has to be pointed out that as Melania grew into her role as the first lady, she also began disagreeing with President Donald Trump on a number of issues, included the most glaring one where she championed CDC's advice of wearing a face mask while going out in public places amid the coronavirus lockdown. Trump, on the other hand, still refuses to wear any form of face-covering as he regards it as a sign of "weakness."
The fact that Melania can't fake smiles was recently proved when the first couple visited Saint John Paul II Shrine at the Catholic University of America in Washington DC on Tuesday, June 2, as country-wide protests raged on following the death of George Floyd in police custody.
In a video of their trip to the shrine, which came on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of Pope John Paul Il’s first pilgrimage to Poland, Trump flashed a wide grin as he faced the cameras before realizing that his wife, who was standing beside him, wearing black shades, was looking serious. Although it was inaudible in the video that is currently circulating on the internet, the POTUS turns to the first lady and appears to utter, "Why aren't you smiling?" A second later, Melania flashes something between a grimace and a brief grin before returning to her stone-faced expression.