Behavioral expert Shelly Dar has offered a different perspective on Melania Trump’s carefully managed public image during Donald Trump’s second term as president.
As Melania appears alongside her husband once again on the global stage, attention has returned to her presence not because of what she says, but because of what many believe her body language reveals. Over the past year, observers have dissected everything from her posture to her facial expressions, often searching for clues about her emotions or the state of her marriage.
According to psychotherapist and behavioral analyst Shelly Dar, many of these interpretations say more about public expectations than about Melania herself.
“When people look at Melania Trump, they often assume she looks unhappy or tense,” Dar explains. “What they’re actually seeing is restraint. Her public demeanor is neutral, controlled, and intentional. As First Lady, that restraint becomes even stronger because the pressure is intense and the margin for error is extremely small.”
Dar notes that this controlled behavior becomes especially noticeable when Melania is standing beside Donald Trump.
“When she’s next to her husband, her body language becomes more contained,” she says. “There’s less movement, fewer expressions, and a more neutral stance. That doesn’t indicate emotional transparency — it suggests role management.”
Rather than mirroring Trump’s animated and assertive public style, Melania maintains a composed posture and measured movements, creating a sharp visual contrast between the two. Dar emphasizes that this contrast is often misunderstood.
“Her body language doesn’t communicate emotion,” Dar says. “It communicates boundaries. And in this context, boundaries signal separation — not necessarily conflict, but a clear division of roles.”
Dar acknowledges that this detachment is frequently interpreted as dissatisfaction or frustration, particularly given Trump’s polarizing public persona.
“In many cultures, there’s an expectation that First Ladies should appear warm, expressive, and visibly comfortable,” she explains. “When someone doesn’t meet that expectation, people tend to project their own assumptions. Limited expression invites interpretation, and that interpretation often leans negative.”
Melania’s restrained gestures, minimal facial expressions, and limited physical interaction leave little material for observers to analyze — which, paradoxically, fuels even more speculation.
Dar also highlights the intense pressure Melania operates under. “She’s functioning on a global stage, speaks publicly only when necessary, and often does so in a second language where every word is scrutinized. That naturally leads to a cautious, rehearsed delivery and a guarded presence.”
Interestingly, Dar observes that Melania appears noticeably different during solo appearances.
“When she’s alone, she looks more settled,” Dar notes. “Her posture is steadier, her movements more purposeful. That suggests autonomy — control over how she presents herself.”
“She appears more self-possessed on her own and more guarded beside Donald,” Dar adds. “That indicates she’s keeping her personal identity separate from her role as the president’s spouse, rather than merging the two.”
This analysis comes as Melania steps into a new spotlight with Melania, a self-titled documentary chronicling her experiences leading up to Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration. The film is set to premiere in cinemas this Friday.
Despite a reported £35 million promotional campaign, industry sources suggest the Amazon-backed project is struggling to gain traction at the box office, despite Donald Trump’s optimistic claims on Truth Social. Social media users have shared images and reports of sparsely attended screenings in major cities.
Whether the documentary succeeds commercially or not, it promises rare insight into a figure who has long remained deliberately private. As Dar points out, that very reserve is what unsettles many observers.
“Melania leaves very little open to interpretation,” Dar says. “And for a public that expects emotional access, that can be deeply uncomfortable.”
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