The public’s interest in Donald Trump and Melania Trump has been rekindled by a widely shared image of Trump clumsily clutching Melania’s thumb during an appearance at the Kennedy Center in June 2025.
As the couple left the White House, Melania was seen giving just her thumb in the photo, which went viral online and sparked memes, body language analysis, and fresh rumors about marital discord.
Seeing it as part of a trend, observers recalled other instances in which Melania seemed to avoid holding hands, such as when she swatted Trump’s hand in 2017 and withdrew during a 2020 debate. The new photo, which was taken during a heated public gathering where Trump was the target of heckling and protest, fueled the debate.
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