A body language expert has revealed five things you may have missed from Melania Trump’s Epstein statement at the White House.
On Thursday (April 9), the First Lady used the address to firmly reject claims tying her to the disgraced financier, insisting the “stories are completely false” while condemning what she described as “smears about me.”
The 55-year-old made it clear she and her legal team were actively pushing back against what she called “unfounded and baseless lies,” and addressed longstanding speculation about her past, stating: “I am not Epstein’s victim.”
“Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump. I met my husband by chance at a New York City party in 1998,” she shared.
Expert Points to Five Key Body Language Signals
According to body language expert Judi James, Melania’s physical presence throughout the speech revealed just as much as her words. The first sign came before she even spoke.
“Her entrance walk is almost a march as opposed to her normal, elegant ‘catwalk’ style. Her severe grey suit with its sharp tailoring and padded shoulders give a look reminiscent of her ‘boardroom’ pose of her official White House portrait, suggesting a desire to appear firm and businesslike,” James said, per Express.
The expert said this was followed by a stance designed to project confidence. “She stands with her elbows slightly splayed from her torso, creating a partial pit-bare that would signal confidence.
“There is a sense of personal determination from Melania here in a brief speech that, by her normal standards, is firm, emphatic and delivered with power, purpose and authority,” they added.
A third signal came as she began speaking. “She addresses the room with a steady gaze and a squared jaw for her ‘Good afternoon’ unsmiling greeting,” James explained. “Her choice of words suggests anger and authority. She refers to ‘disgraceful’ Epstein and a ‘devoid of respect’ approach.”
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As FLOTUS addressed her alleged links to Ghislaine Maxwell, James highlighted another key moment.
“When she denies a relationship with Maxwell, she pauses to look up to show off her eyes rather than looking down in a cut-off ritual,” they said. “Her delivery of her words is slow and emphatic, making them sound carefully chosen and heartfelt.”
Melania also addressed an email she had sent to Maxwell, insisting: “My email reply to Maxwell cannot be characterized as anything more than casual correspondence. My polite reply to her email doesn’t amount to anything more than a trivial note.”
The email itself read: “Dear G! How are you? Nice story about JE in NY mag. You look great on the picture. I know you are very busy flying all over the world. How was Palm Beach? I cannot wait to go down. Give me a call when you are back in NY. Have a great time! Love, Melania.”
She went on to reject online claims about her involvement, warning viewers to “be cautious about what you believe” and stating: “These images and stories are completely false. I’m not a witness or unnamed witness in connection with any of Epstein’s crimes.
“The false smears about me from mean-spirited and politically motivated individuals and entities looking to cause damage to my good name to gain financially and climb politically must stop.
“My attorneys and I have fought these unfounded and baseless lies with success, and will continue to maintain my sound reputation without hesitation.”
She also made a surprise call to lawmakers, saying: “I call on Congress to provide the women who have been victimized by Epstein with a public hearing specifically centered around the survivors.”
“We still must work openly and transparently to uncover the truth,” she claimed.
A Sharp Exit
According to James, Melania’s final gesture was just as intentional as her opening.
“At the end she looks up again, fixing the room with a brief but powerfully steady gaze and pursing her lips to suggest what looks like indignance before saying ‘Thank you’ and turning on her heels to march quickly out of the room again,” the expert said.
Even though there were moments where she appeared nervous and looked down at her notes, aides insist the timing of the speech was deliberate.
