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Was Trump's 'cold and awkward' hug with Ivanka at RNC 2020 an attempt not to upset Melania? Internet thinks so

Just after the first couple got on the stage, Ivanka walked over to Trump, clearly hoping for a warm hug before she left the stage. But he hardly acknowledged his daughter, let alone give her an embrace

Ivanka Trump went out on the stage on the concluding night of the Republican National Convention and spoke her heart out about the many achievements of her father Donald Trump during his first term as president. Though she paved way for the POTUS to begin his acceptance speech, all she got from him was almost a 'non-hug,' setting social media abuzz with speculations. 

The POTUS' eldest daughter was just done singing praises of her dad, ending her speech with the announcement of her father's name, and was getting ready to step aside as Trump and his wife, Melania, descended down the stairs to loud cheers and applause from the gathered crowd, following which the awkward moment was caught on video. Just after the first couple got on the stage, Ivanka walked over to her father's side clearly hoping for a warm hug before she left the stage. But Trump hardly acknowledged his daughter, let alone give her an embrace. 

Eventually, a dazed Ivanka reached out and patted Trump on his back, almost like she was making him aware of her presence, after which Trump patted her back and leaned over to give her kiss on the cheek before she left the stage. Since the pat and the kiss were preceded by a viral moment where Melania rolled her eyes as Ivanka passed her to greet her father, some of the social media users began speculating whether the president's lack of embrace was due to to the fact that he did not want to upset the FLOTUS. 

"I just tuned in for a second because I can't stomach watching the Republican National Cult Convention. Trump and Melania came up on the stage and Ivanka came over to give her father a hug or something. Melania looked at her like what the f**k are you doing up here b****h!" one wrote, while another said, "Anyone else notice that when Melania is out, Ivanka stays away. Like they didn't hug (Ivanka & Donald) because Ivanka would have to address Melania by a hug then too. Now at the end, Melania is next to Trump with Barron not with his other siblings."

Recently, there was also quite a bit of chatter about how Melania launched 'Operation Block Ivanka', as per a new book. According to a Daily Mail report, she plotted to keep the 38-year-old out of the photos of the president taking the oath of office on Inauguration Day, the book, titled 'Melania and Me' by former Melania aide Stephanie Winston, claims. 

Others called Trump "cold" and "awkward" for not giving his own daughter the acknowledgment she deserved for her speech. Here are some of the reactions: "Yes! So weird bc look at the distance between ivanka and Trump and she doesn’t even hug her dad. It’s like an awkward moment."

"Ivanka’s entire speech about Trump’s love and warmth was immediately proven false by his cold,, begrudging and awkward hug with... Ivanka."

"How awkward was THAT? He didn’t even acknowledge or embrace his own daughter. She had to awkwardly reach out and pat him on the shoulder before he acknowledged her existence. He just sucked in the applause. So typical. Always just about him. #Trump #Ivanka #RepublicanConvention"

"Enough already, let's get to the inappropriate hug followed by the infomercial for the 25th amendment. #LiarInChief #Trump #UnfitForOffice #Ivanka"