A striking new White House portrait of Melania Trump sparks discussions about power dynamics and political messaging.
According to Daily Mail, body language expert Judi James analyzed the First Lady's latest official portrait, noting significant parallels to the fictional character Claire Underwood from House of Cards.
The portrait, unveiled Monday, captures Melania Trump standing tall with her hands positioned on a table as the Washington Monument looms in the background. The black and white image presents a stark departure from her previous softer color portrait from Trump's first term.
Body language expert Judi James offered detailed insights into the compositional elements of the portrait. As she analyzed the First Lady's pose and demeanor, James highlighted the intentional power dynamics conveyed through specific physical positioning:
Everything about this pose screams power and status. She looks and poses as though she is the right woman in the right place at the right time.
The expert noted how Melania's tilted torso and splayed fingers on the desk communicate territorial ownership and confidence, marking a significant shift from her previous White House image.
Social media users quickly drew parallels between Melania's portrait and Claire Underwood, the ambitious First Lady-turned-President character portrayed by Robin Wright in Netflix's House of Cards.
The portrait was taken on January 21, immediately following Trump's inauguration, in the Yellow Oval Room by Belgian photographer Régine Mahaux, who also captured Melania's first-term portrait.
The setting holds particular significance as the Yellow Oval Room underwent extensive redecoration under Melania's supervision during Trump's first term. She personally designed elements, including a custom rug featuring American Beauty roses and blue ribbons.
This latest portrait presents a marked contrast to other First Ladies' official photos, which typically feature bright colors and different White House settings. Jill Biden chose a bright blue dress, while Michelle Obama wore black with pearls against the Blue State Room backdrop.
Behind this reimagined image lies Melania's growing business ventures, including a reported $40 million deal with Amazon for a documentary and docuseries about her working life.
Sources close to the First Lady indicate money and control are primary motivators in her current trajectory. Between White House terms, she launched various business initiatives, including NFTs and jewelry lines.
A source familiar with Melania's mindset shared insights about her evolving priorities. As quoted by body language expert James:
The portrait suggests a total re-branding from the 'trophy wife' FLOTUS who appeared to enter the White House reluctantly back in 2017, to this fierce, corporate-looking woman who, as she said during her recent book launch, has her own decisions and her own opinions.
Melania Trump's latest White House portrait represents a calculated shift in her public image, moving from the soft-lit warmth of her first term to a stark black-and-white statement of power. The portrait, taken in her favorite Yellow Oval Room by photographer Régine Mahaux, has drawn widespread comparisons to the fictional Claire Underwood character. The intentional visual messaging aligns with Melania's expanding business ventures and suggests a more assertive approach to her role as First Lady in Trump's second term.
