Donald and Melania Trump's tense exchange in the VIP box at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C. has sent the internet into a tailspin, with social media users pointing out the couple's seemingly hostile body language and sharp words before the First Lady walked out.
Donald and Melania were seated side by side at the event on Sunday, and appeared to be enjoying each other's company until the mood suddenly shifted and they exchanged tense words, while his secretary, Natalie Harp was seated behind them.
© AFP via Getty ImagesDecoding their conversation
Lip reader Nicola Hickling told the Daily Mail that their conversation began with Donald asking his wife, "Was it enough?" before she replied: "I don't know."
"Then I need to see it," she reportedly added, before whispering: "Donald, listen, I'm gonna go." Donald said: "Listen, she asked you not to close the door," to which his wife replied: "Why?"
"It's bad news, but it's bad timing, Melania," he said. The mother of two then called the situation "crazy" and flicked her hair in frustration, before whispering: "Obviously, I'll see her and talk to her in the morning."
© Getty ImagesAs Melania got up to leave, Donald patted her on the knee in a rare display of affection. After her departure, Natalie came down and joined the 80-year-old as he spoke with other people in the box.
See the tense moment below...
Natalie's devotion revealed
Her appearance comes after Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff commented at a rally about Donald and Natalie's close relationship, saying that the President wanted only to "build his ballroom and travel with Natalie".
The 35-year-old aide has been by Donald's side during his second term, and was even dubbed the "human printer" due to her propensity to print hard copies of news articles, social media posts and polls that painted Donald in a positive light.
She once rode in the trunk of a car he was being driven in as there were no seats left, and she wanted to remain close to him.
Melania's month-long absence
Meanwhile, Melania took a step back from public life between July and August, before returning to share an update on her Fostering the Future campaign on August 20. "I heard you missed me," she quipped as she stood at the lectern in the White House Rose Garden, before adding: "Here I am."
© AFP via Getty ImagesMelania has been less involved in her husband's presidency during his second term, with former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci sharing on The Daily Beast Podcast that the pair had "grown apart".
"The family unit that came into Trump 1.0 didn't like it. They didn't like the blistering in Washington. They didn't like the 360-degree firing squad. I don't think they like the spotlight that was put on them," he explained.
© Getty Images"I think that when he ran again, they all more or less said, 'Okay, you know, that one was on all of us; this one's on you."
Instead, Melania has focused on being a present parent for her son, Barron Trump, who is currently studying at the Washington, D.C. campus of NYU's Stern School of Business.
