Melania Trump's appearance at her husband's joint address to Congress on March 4 seemed to confirm suspicions that she's not exactly enthusiastic about taking on the job of First Lady this time around.
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00:00"'The First Lady of the United States.'"
00:07Melania Trump's appearance at her husband's joint address to Congress on March 4th seemed
00:10to confirm suspicions that she's not exactly enthusiastic about taking on the job of first
00:15lady this time around. Arriving at the House chamber ahead of her husband, Melania wore
00:19a dark gray Christian Dior suit with a long scarf detail at the collar, which hung below
00:24her waist. Even more oddly, the scarf was cinched in by her black belt, which itself
00:29was wrapped and hung down aimlessly. All in all, it was a messy look that didn't reflect
00:34any joy in her position.
00:36Supporters of the president and his family still gushed over Melania. The Daily Mail
00:40even claimed that she stunned in gray, but many online critics were far less kind. One
00:45joked on X,
00:46"'Melania Trump has chosen the Anakin Skywalker just before he murders the younglings and
00:50burns the Jedi Temple' look."
00:55Whereas Second Lady Usha Vance chose to wear a relatively bold color to witness Donald's
01:00address, a sandy peach hue, Melania went for a drab neutral shade and an unpolished ensemble.
01:06It's too bad the look landed with a thud, because it's a pricey fit from a respected
01:11French fashion house. The first lady's wool tweed blazer alone goes for $5,500 on Dior's
01:17website.
01:18So what was the thinking behind putting the FLOTUS in something so dull, even if it is
01:22Melania's stylist, Hervé Pierre, who designed Melania's 2017 inaugural gown, told Women's
01:27Wear Daily,
01:28"'It's a nice way to mix business and femininity. It's appropriate for the occasion.'"
01:33Making only her second public appearance since the presidential inauguration, she might have
01:37thought to make more of a statement of pride in her husband's accomplishments. Instead,
01:41the first lady appeared not to be excited about the evening at all. Though she held
01:46Donald's hand on the way to their waiting limos, cameras caught her pulling her hand
01:50away just a little too early. It was yet another possible hint that their marriage
01:54is more chilly than passionate.
01:57Melania's demeanor during the event was also telling. Though she smiled broadly on entering
02:01the chamber, and when Trump introduced her to the guests, the first lady otherwise looked
02:05solemn. Her applause was more polite than wildly approving, and with no family members
02:10or close friends near her, she looked almost lonely.
02:13However, the look did work for some fashion insiders. Stylist Lauren A. Rothman told Business
02:18Insider,
02:19"[The first lady Melania's style tonight is quiet authority, polished, self-assured, and
02:23entirely in command of her presence."
02:26Melania might also have been dressing for comfort, considering her husband's speech
02:29was the longest-ever presidential address to Congress — nearly an hour and 40 minutes,
02:35beating President Clinton's 2000 State of the Union speech by 10 minutes. Vice President
02:39J.D. Vance was even caught on a hot mic before the speech, commenting on his boss's stamina.
02:45But I don't know how you do this for 90 minutes."
02:48Thankfully for Melania, she won't have to hang out that long in the Congressional Gallery
02:52again until early 2026 for the State of the Union address. Perhaps she'll wear a cheerier
02:57outfit then.