Donald and Melania Trump's awkward interaction during a press conference in the White House Rose Garden on Monday has gone viral, with social media users focusing on the politician's thwarted attempt to kiss his wife of 21 years.
The pair sat in the Rose Garden as they signed an executive order creating a task force on women's health and a dedicated Women's Health Division within the National Institutes of Health.
© Getty Images"When I heard about it, I said, 'Are you sure they don't have that? Who the hell wouldn't have a women's health division?'" Donald said to the crowd of reporters. "Melania said, 'They don't have it.' So good job." He then added that Melania "gets it" because of her intelligence. "Look at her. You think she's easy? She's not so easy, but she's very smart."
Donald then signed the order, before handing the pen over to the First Lady and remarking: "I don't know if her signature means anything." Melania replied: "Yours is the most important," and signed her name on the document.
© XAfter the process was completed, Donald went in to kiss Melania before she turned her head to the back, and he planted one in her hair instead. He then grabbed her hand and patted it, uttering "Good job" to his wife.
Social media users were quick to jump on the viral moment, with one writing on X: "The hand patting is very odd," while another added: "Look at the body language. [She] immediately shifts her entire body the opposite way after Trump makes his move."
Inside Donald and Melania Trump's marriage
This is not the only instance of an awkward kiss between the pair, who share a son, Barron. Back in January 2025, at the presidential inauguration, Melania wore a black, wide-brimmed hat that prevented Donald from kissing his wife, in another moment that went viral.
Melania shared rare insight into their marriage during an appearance on Fox & Friends in September, sharing that she is unafraid to be frank with him when necessary.
© Getty Images"I tell him the truth," she said. "Sometimes he doesn't want to hear it, what I tell him, but that's okay. I always say the truth."
"He's very focused. He has a lot on his plate. It's very different what's going on around the world now. But I think he's doing the best that he can," she added. "He works nonstop. He has the most energy than anybody. He's from morning until evening nonstop working."
Donald and Melania Trump's first meeting
© Sygma via Getty ImagesDonald and Melania met back in 1998 at a fashion week party, when he was on a date with someone else. "He wanted my number, but he was with a date, so of course I didn't give it to him," she recalled in an interview with Harper's Bazaar.
"I said, 'I am not giving you my number; you give me yours, and I will call you.' I wanted to see what kind of number he would give me – if it was a business number, 'What is this? I'm not doing business with you.'"
© WireImageMelania added that he went on to give her every number, from "the office, Mar-a-Lago, home in New York, everything".
"I was struck by his energy. He has an amazing sense of vitality," she admitted. They went on to marry in 2005, and welcomed Barron a year later.
