'Distraught' Melania Trump had 'deliberate lack of touch' with Donald at funeral

18 January 2024 , 18:56

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They were pictured standing apart with their son Barron between them (Image: AP)

Body language expert Judi James says Melania and Donald Trump standing at a respectable distance during her mum's funeral was likely 'deliberate.'

They were pictured standing apart with their son Barron between them during the funeral of Melania's mum Amalija Knav. In an interview with the Mirror Judi James said: "Donald and Melania have positioned their son between them rather than standing together here and Trump himself is standing rigidly to attention with his chin raised as though wanting to perform a mark of formal respect for his mother-in-law.

"The lack of touch here could be deliberate. When someone has to mourn in public it is common to worry that acts or comfort, support and affection can make them lose their composure completely and that might be Melania's concern that she needs to stay in control of her emotions at this very public moment for the ex-FLOTUS."

The whole Trump family showed their emotions as they attended the funeral of Melania's mother Amalija Knavs (AP)

At Amalija Knav's family funeral, the Trumps appeared emotional. Judi added: "After standing rigidly to attention as a formal mark of respect for his mother-in-law's coffin, Trump seems to have adopted a pose similar to his wife Melania here, looking much more vulnerable than usual, with his arms falling to the front of his torso and a reflective-looking frown on his face.

"This is an unusual display of emotion from Trump, who appears to be mourning Melania's mother as a personal loss. Even with the huge shades hiding her eye expression Melania looks naturally distraught here. Her lips are parted slightly and her body posture looks uncharacteristically held in a position with her hands and arms slightly to the front of her torso."

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Melania managed to stay strong throughout the funeral. Although most of the service was private, Melania gave a touching eulogy for her mum. In her speech, Melania shared memories of her mum and said: "Her nurturing spirit had no limits, creating a legacy that will last for generations.

Barron comforting his unusually distraught father (AFP via Getty Images)

"With her beauty and impeccable sense of style she turned heads. But it was her unwavering dedication and hard work that made her exceptional," Melania said at the podium. While celebrating his win at the Iowa caucus, Trump spoke warmly about Amalijia Knavs, Barron's grandmother. "Great people, great parents to all of us, really. Great parents, but also to Barron. Boy, did she take care of Barron." he said.

Trump continued to share how Barron shares a close bond with his grandparents, often enjoying his grandmother's Eastern European dishes. Melania Trump helped her parents' migrate to the United States from Slovenia, having previously worked as a car dealer and textile factory worker. They swore the citizenship oath at a New York City courthouse in 2018, when Trump was still president, after moving to the country as permanent residents.

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]

Yelena Mandenberg