This Is What’s Really Going On In That Viral Melania Trump Gif

donald melania trump

by Katie Rosseinsky |
Published on

Unless you've been living under a wifi-free rock since Donald Trump's inauguration last week (in which case, we salute you. You're doing things right), you'll probably have noticed that one particular gif of the new First Lady, Melania, has captured the popular imagination.

In the clip in question, Melania is shown to smile at her husband (albeit in a slightly forced manner) before he turns away; at which point, the First Lady drops the grin entirely and replaces it with an altogether less cheery expression.

In case you've missed it, here it is in all its Internet-breaking glory...

While some speculated that the footage had been reversed or doctored in some way, a quick glance at Buzzfeed's live inauguration coverage (fast forward to around the 2hour, 51 minute mark) shows that this clearly isn't the case - it really just is an awkward looking exchange between America's First Couple.

Melania's dramatic change of mood gave the First Lady her very own meme: Sad Melania. Twitter users were quick to pick up on anything that showed the seemingly stark contrast in body language between Barack and Michelle Obama and the Trumps, with some commenting that they felt 'sorry' for Melania.

sad melania trump meme
Sad Melania Trump ©Twitter

Others, however, pointed out that the new First Lady is hardly in a rough position...

melania trump twitter memes
Melania Trump memes on Twitter ©Twitter

On closer inspection, it seems there's a much more ordinary - and OK, much more mundane - reason behind Melania's sudden switch-off, and it's all to do with the inauguration context.

The gif in question is taken from a point in the inauguration ceremony when different religious leaders take to the podium to give speeches or recite blessings. What with this being a major occasion, Melania is in full 'serious face' mode as Rabbi Marvin Hier is shown speaking a prayer. The Reverend Franklin Graham then has his moment, declaring 'Mr President, in the Bible, rain is a sign of God's blessing. And it started to rain, Mr. President, when you came to the platform.'

At this point, Trump grins and turns to his wife and family. Melania responds with the smile we see in the gif, then her husband turns around and the speaker continues with 'It's my prayer that God will bless you, your family, your administration, and may he bless America.'

Pretty serious stuff, no? It's as this is being spoken that Melania's face immediately drops, as the tone of the proceedings becomes more grave.

So, while the Trumps' body language was undeniably awkward at some points during the ceremony ('If you didn’t know that they were married, you wouldn’t know that they are married,' expert Susan Constantine told Mic), there's a far less sinister explanation for this particular viral moment. Either that, or like many of us, Melania was merely suffering from bitchy resting face.

Now, let's all just take a moment to note the striking similarities Melania's outfit bears to the Beauxbatons uniform from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, shall we?

melania trump meme
Melania trump meme ©Twitter

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