Pics Of Melania And Donald Trump That Shine A Spotlight On Their Strange Marriage

When it comes to MAGA women with eyebrow-raising marriages, you don't have to look much further than Melania Trump and her husband, Donald Trump. Although the two have been married 21 years, as of January 2026, their behavior toward each other, especially from Melania's side, is really perplexing. So much so that those of us watching from the outside can't help but wonder if Melania even likes Donald at all.

"When you compare them with the Obamas, when they look at each other and smile, the expression on their faces is completely different to anyone else. I think she just radiates anger with every possible pore," body language expert Tracey Cox told the Irish Independent in June 2017. Cox added that she'd never seen such awkward body language by two public figures. "You can see the tension: her shoulders are slumped and fists are always clenched. She's unhappy, she doesn't look towards him or ever lean towards him," she noted. After all, how many times has the world spotted Melania swatting Donald's hand away from hers? More than once, that's for sure.

Although no relationship is perfect, and awkward MAGA marriage moments that hint divorce is on the table aren't uncommon, Melania and Donald definitely have one of the strangest unions on Capitol Hill. This isn't even an assumption, because there's a whole boatload of pictures to prove something is up with these two. Maybe it's just a matter of needing some couples' therapy or perhaps Melania is simply counting down the minutes until Donald's presidency is over so she can finally file for divorce. With these two, it really could be anything. 

Married couples don't usually shake hands all that much. Instead, especially if they're trying to show a united front, they display something more affectionate, like a kiss, or at the very least, a hug. However, that was not the case when Donald Trump and Melania Trump visited the Fort Bragg U.S. Army base in February 2026. Donald took to the stage a one point, as did Melania, and this exchange was photographed. With their hands locked in a handshake, Donald looks like he's just said something that Melania has decided only deserves a forced smile.

When Donald Trump was on the campaign trail in 2024, we didn't see much of Melania Trump. In fact, according to CNN, a couple of times that Melania did make an appearance, she was actually paid to do so. Although it's unclear if Melania accompanying Donald in April 2024 at a fundraising event was one of those instances where she was paid, she certainly doesn't look happy to be there. If anything, Melania looks inconvenienced, and Donald looks like he's trying to make amends with her.

For a tree-planting ceremony in April 2018, Donald and Melania Trump were joined by President of France Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte. While the Macrons seem comfortable being affectionate, Melania and Donald aren't touching at all. "I think he's been saying, 'I want to be seen as the president on my own,' which is very much alpha," body language expert Patti Wood told Daily Mail in February 2017, adding that the lack of hand holding might actually be Donald's choice. Either way, it's a strange dynamic. 

In 2025, Melania Trump had plenty of outfits that totally missed the mark, and this look was one of them. While people didn't have much to say about the double-breasted navy coat, her hat was dragged online. However, considering this is what Melania wore for Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2025, maybe it's a look that didn't miss the mark at all. Maybe, knowing that Donald would try to kiss her at some point, the wide-brimmed hat was meant to serve as a shield — and it seems to have worked. 

While Melania Trump didn't look this offended by Donald Trump's existence throughout their entire dance at the Liberty Inaugural Ball on January 20, 2025, there are enough clips that suggest Melania would rather have been anywhere else. Although we don't know what Donald was saying — maybe he was trying to serenade Melania — it's evident in the way she's pulled back that she wants nothing of whatever is going on here. Perhaps she just can't stand her husband. It's not like she'd be the first woman in history to do so.

At the Republican National Convention in July 2024, Donald Trump officially accepted his party's nomination as the presidential candidate. With a piece of gauze still taped to his ear from an alleged assignation attempt just five days prior, Donald leaned in to kiss Melania Trump on the cheek. Like most of their attempts at public displays of affection, this kiss looks both awkward and forced and, as usual, Melania looks like a part of her just might be dying in this moment. However, kudos to Melania for the painted-on grin.

When Donald Trump and Melania Trump attended the UN's General Assembly in September 2025, the escalator stopped working. It was later confirmed this was due to a safety mechanism being set off by Donald himself, after the White House put into a motion a conspiracy theory that the malfunction was deliberate. But the real kicker of the whole incident is the look Melania was caught giving Donald. There is so much seething behind that stare of hers that it's actually quite impressive.

Per tradition, on January 21, 2025, Donald Trump and Melania Trump attended the National Prayer Service at Washington National Cathedral. During the very pointed sermon, this photo of Donald seemingly nodding off while Melania glares at him again speaks volumes to the strangeness of their marriage. It also begs the question: is Melania angry because he's possibly falling asleep or because her husband is embarrassing her again? Either way, it's clear Donald's church etiquette has gotten on her nerves.

Although we see Melania Trump giving Donald Trump a lot of different looks, this side-eye is one for the records. In fact, it's not even solely a side-eye, but it has quite a bit of a scowl in there too. This photo was taken on January 20, 2017, after Donald was sworn in for his first term as president. With his fist clenched, one can only imagine what he's saying, but whatever it is, Melania doesn't seem to be buying it.

In June 2025, Donald and Melania Trump attended "Les Misérables" at the Kennedy Center. It's almost as if Melania agreed to give Donald her thumb as a compromise rather than hold his hand. When they reached the red carpet, Donald was asked about the actors who were boycotting the performance, and he replied, "I couldn't care less" (via Fox News). As body language expert Darron Stanton told Tyla, Melania's physical response suggested she was embarrassed by what Donald said: "We saw her flash a fake smile and she twisted her body, which is a sign of frustration."