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It wasn’t the tanks, fireworks, or patriotic speeches that captured public attention at Donald Trump’s extravagant USD 45 million birthday celebration in Washington, DC, it was Melania Trump. The First Lady, seated alongside President Donald Trump, dignitaries, and family members during the grand parade, appeared to nod off at mid-event, setting social media abuzz. In multiple photos and video clips now widely circulating online, Melania is seen with her eyes closed, motionless, while her husband, former President Donald Trump, remains upright and alert.

The event, commemorating Trump’s 79th birthday as well as the 250th anniversary of the US Army, featured a parade of 6,000 soldiers and 128 Army tanks along Constitution Avenue. Despite the scale and symbolism, the camera’s focus quickly turned to Melania’s apparent disinterest.

Body language experts have weighed in, suggesting her closed posture and lack of engagement indicated discomfort, disinterest, or even fatigue. One expert also noted that Senator Marco Rubio appeared visibly bored during the event, at one point letting out a loud sigh.

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Melania’s Silent Statement?

While Trump delivered a speech honouring the US military’s sacrifices throughout history, Melania remained mostly stoic. After the speech, she and Trump stood stiffly, avoiding interaction with each other or the crowd. Some observers interpreted her demeanour as detachment from the event or her husband.

Meanwhile, promotional videos by Jeep and Lockheed Martin played in the background, followed by a performance of “God Bless the USA” by singer Lee Greenwood, meant to stir patriotism. Yet the optics of Melania’s behaviour quickly overshadowed the rest of the program.

Despite its high cost and Trump’s efforts to project strength and unity, the event reportedly fell short of expected attendance numbers. The parade also struggled to gain full media focus, as the country faced heightened political tensions and dealt with the attempted assassinations of two elected officials in Minnesota just days before.

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Trump Defends The Celebration

In his closing remarks, Trump defended the display of patriotism, saying, “Every other country celebrates their victories. It’s about time America did too.” Yet, the viral image of Melania’s closed eyes may be what the public remembers most about the event.