By James Liddell & Fiona Leishman
Melania Trump appeared to shrug off any signs of "tension" as she looked "sphinx-like" while sitting "frozen" beside her husband Donald at an event on the eve of his fraud deadline and a hearing in his hush money case, according to a body language expert.
The former First Lady remained stoic in arare appearance beside her husband as he was presented with two trophies by golfing legend Jack Nicklaus at his West Palm Beach golf club on Sunday. Trump, 77, took to his social media platform Truth Social to boast about clinching both the Club Championship Trophy and the Senior Club Championship Trophy, writing “I WON BOTH”.
Melania, 55, has been largely absent of late – including Trump’s public court hearings – due to the death of her mother at the start of the year. But she was seen standing behind her husband as he accepted his awards and gave his speech.
READ MORE: Donald Trump in 'familiar fired up' mode by golf win but looks 'weary' as legal cases clash
Trump faced mockery from various sources over his golfing win, including President Joe Biden who wrote on X: "Congratulations Donald. Quite the accomplishment." Despite this, and her husband's mounting legal woes ahead of the November presidential election, Melania "appears to deny the idea of any stress", according to a body language expert.
Speaking to The Mirror, body language expert Judi James explained: "Melania appears to be back in her supportive role here, leaning in to listen like a friend and confidante as Trump whispers some words in her ear. The only problem is that she still appears to be frozen in exactly the same pose when he is sitting further apart from her and not exchanging any words.
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"Melania's body language works though and is photogenic in her signature sphinx-like way as it appears to deny the idea of any stress, pressure or tension behind the scenes." Melania sat by her husband during the awards dinner at his West Palm Beach golf club as she begins to make more public appearances by his side.
Meanwhile, Trump appeared to be in a "familiar mode" after his golfing win, looking "as buoyed up and fired up by a golfing 'win' as he is a political one," explained Judi. She went on to say: "Winning does seem to be his own personal fuel in terms of energy, resilience and enthusiasm."
Trump appeared "in fine form still" as he spoke to the crowds who gathered at his golf club for the event. The Republican frontrunner was seen "building into what looks like a more show-boating mood" as he spoke, appearing to "crack and share a joke".
Standing next to Nicklaus, Trump was seen looking "as alpha as ever", with Judi noting he was "waiting with his chest puffed and his arms straight by his side". But, in a departure from his usual behaviour, Judi noted Trump was spotted "flinging his arms out in a gesture of appreciation and even performing a cheek kiss, which is not part of his usual repertoire."
All of this came on the eve of a huge day for Trump, has his $454m fraud fine was due on top of a pre-trial hearing in his hush money criminal case, the trial for which had been delayed. This didn't seem to entirely escape Trump, despite his initial impressions. As Judi noted: "From the back, walking through the room, Trump might appear a little weary, patting other guests but easing his way through rather than pushing as though no longer expecting the crowds to part for him."