Melania turned 49 on Friday and to celebrate her birthday the White House shared a revealing photo of the US president’s wife. Alongside the caption, “Happy Birthday, @FLOTUS!” was a photo of the Melania sat alone on the far end of the couch in the Oval Office with her legs crossed. The photo also displayed the First Lady surrounded by a swarm of photographers and reporters.
Body language expert and author Patti Wood told Refinery49 that the photo was likely a White House selection.
Ms Wood said: “From what I’ve read, this was their selection.
“That’s the most interesting [thing], because she’s communicating to the world that she’s all by herself on her birthday.”
“That’s the most dramatic aspect of this whole story.
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“If you’ll look at her facial expression, with the tight lips, and the fact that she’s not looking directly at the camera, that is suppressed anger.”
She continued: “It’s the fact that she’s sitting on the corner of the couch, to make it clear she’s by herself. That’s the most significant part.”
Ms Wood suggested her crossed arms and legs means the First Lady is “closed off”.
Her arms placed over her vulnerable stomach show how she is protecting herself.
Ms Wood added: “There’s nothing in there that she’s open to, the media, open to the others, joyous or happy — there’s no what I call ‘up’ body language that you’d typically see in celebratory photos.”
Many have claimed the photo was a strange choice as it showed Melania looking “depressing” and “alone”.
One Twitter user posted: “Can’t figure out why this photo was posted.
“Is this the only one of her birthday? If so, it’s really depressing. Sitting there, alone, with a big empty space and a bouquet prop. Weird, actually.”