Days before Donald Trump’s second inauguration, a photo of him kissing his wife, Melania Trump, has exploded in popularity on social media, accumulating a slew of responses. A rare public display of affection between the couple appears to be set during a baseball game, as the image appears to show the couple kissing, prompting admiration and skepticism.
The candid photo comes as Melania has been mostly absent from the political spotlight during much of the 2024 campaign season — as has her husband, amid media speculation that the former First Lady has been separating herself from the political fray and her spouse, at times.
When it surfaced on X — the platform previously known as Twitter — where Trump supporters were quick to retweet, salute and shower praise and celebration on the photograph. The kiss was seen by a lot of people as an endearing and pure moment, a rebuttal of the narratives of strain in the marriage.
According to one user: ‘Now THAT is how to handle the kiss cam kiss.’ Another: ‘32 days until these 2 are back in the White House!’ Despite a white base on white display to show love for a man who has frequently trafficked in white supremacy, a mix of excitement and approval ruled the reactions.
In the process, not all responses were celebratory. Previous reports of tension between the Trumps and her limited public duties during the campaign led critics to question the authenticity of the moment. On the other hand, detractors maintained that the kiss may not have been spontaneous but rather a calculated move at a time and in the position that guaranteed maximum visibility.
Yet while the idea seems dubious, the sentiment of the internet’s general opinion was positive; many claimed the image was a ‘sweet gesture’ and an affirmation to the couple’s bond.
Public interactions between the couple have come under intense scrutiny before now. Back in the spring, at the Republican National Convention and Donald Trump’s formal acceptance to the GOP, the couple gave each other a kiss on stage, and that moment, too, grabbed attention and headlines — specifically around the couple’s relationship. As with the baseball game kiss, [that display] became fodder for more speculation; it nevertheless reiterated the visibility of the partnership in the eyes of supporters.
Donald Trump also made a splash at the week’s media buzz with another memorable appearance this time at the Trump International Golf Club in Palm Beach. A picture of the former president’s tousled hair — credited to his removal of his trademark baseball cap — sent many a twittering online, briefly convinced he’d changed his hair style.
Soon, the look was clarified as ‘hat hair’, a familiar image for those who have followed Trump’s public persona over the years. The moment illustrates, however, that not even the most banal sides of Trump’s appearance can fail to quickly turn into trending topics, as does the man himself, who manages to continue to remain in the limelight politically and culturally.
Trump and his newly minted running mate, Senator JD Vance, are a preparing for a grand inauguration ceremony at the US Capitol on January 20. The fairy tale kiss photo, and all of Trump latest viral moments, continue to show the public yearning for more news about the couple’s personal life and public image.
With every appearance: intentional or serendipitous, the Trumps continue to be at the center of the headlines; creating and redefining the new administration’s image as they head back to the White House for a second term.