For many Americans watching the Fourth of July celebrations in Washington, it wasn’t just the fireworks lighting up the sky that caught attention. It was the rare sight of Melania Trump stepping out onto the White House balcony beside her husband.
The First Lady, who often keeps a lower profile, stood alongside President Donald Trump as he greeted the lively crowd below, pumping his fists with characteristic enthusiasm to his signature rally anthem, YMCA.
Melania offered a contrast. Her open-palmed wave was elegant, measured, and unmistakably poised. But it wasn’t just her trademark grace on display. Body language expert Judi James, speaking to the Irish Star, said the couple shared what she described as “a rather romantic display” while watching the fireworks, suggesting a possible “shift” in their 20-year marriage.
Trump makes the salute, you know the one…… Also, Melania loves the adulation they receive, that smile shows how she loves that shit. They are both foul AF! #4thofJuly pic.twitter.com/HjXlf65eaQ
— Lola🪷🦸🏻♀️ (@lollanna) July 5, 2025
“Melania’s clasped hands show her in full elegant mode here, which is in deep contrast to the boogying man next to her on the balcony,” James observed. She noted that despite their different styles, Melania seemed to unexpectedly mirror Trump’s energy, just with her own twist.
“It would be almost impossible to imagine any meeting of the minds and the body language state here apart from a mocking or disapproving look from Melania, but suddenly she is shocking us all by mimicking his dance, thankfully in a subtler way, but in a way that seems to signal loyalty, brand-adherence and even a shared sense of playful fun.”
This moment of playful unity didn’t go unnoticed. Trump’s so-called “Trump Dance,” a signature move often seen at his rallies and even celebrated by UFC and WWE athletes, has become a hallmark of his political persona. Melania’s choice to join in, however understated, seemed to many like a clear sign of support.
Even First Lady Melania joined in on the Trump dance for the Fourth of July.
Love seeing them living their best lives together.
America is thriving.pic.twitter.com/IvXRioGGGR
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) July 5, 2025
According to James, Melania’s usual role in public appearances has been to balance Trump’s brashness with her polished image. “Melania’s brand role has often been to bring class and elegance to her husband’s often more brash presence,” James explained. “Here, she opts for unity and team dynamics, laughing at herself as she does so.”
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the evening was the balcony kiss they shared, a rare display of affection for the couple. As they exchanged the brief peck, the crowd watching below reacted with delighted cheers. Some users lashed out on the kiss though, on an Instagram post. They commented hilarious theories on how the FLOTUS wanted to skip the part and looked uncomfortable.
However, body language expert is speaking in a complete different tone.
A clip of Melania’s low-key dance moves, posted by Fox News on X, racked up over a million views and a storm of comments dissecting the fleeting but fascinating show of closeness. James interpreted the moment as the pair delivering their own version of a royal-style performance for the holiday crowd. According to James, the First Couple seemed to imitate the royals, giving their own version of a theatrical wedding kiss ‘to a clearly delighted and encouraging crowd.’
Donald Trump and Melania Trump celebrate the 4th of July with a kiss pic.twitter.com/PgSh4JTuUH
— IV Times (@iv_times) July 5, 2025
“This looks like the body language icing on the cake for Trump, who has managed to trigger a response of howling encouragement simply by suddenly looking sweetly besotted with his wife,” she added.
This kind of appearance is far from routine for Melania, who has long drawn speculation about her commitment to the marriage thanks to her tendency to stay out of the spotlight. But she has made a few memorable public appearances during Trump’s second term, from the Kennedy Center red carpet for Les Misérables, to hosting the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn, to celebrating the signing of the Take It Down Act, an anti-exploitation bill she championed through Congress.
For those reading the Trumps’ every move for clues about their private dynamic, this Fourth of July was a rare window. A kiss on the balcony, a matching wave to the crowd, and a hint, however subtle, that Melania is standing by her husband’s side in more ways than one.
