Awkward moment as Donald Trump fails to kiss Melania moments before inauguration oath
The awkward moment happened after Mr Trump, 78, entered the chamber to be sworn in as president.
Monday 20 January 2025 23:19, UK
Donald Trump awkwardly failed to kiss his wife Melania on the cheek moments before he was sworn in as president for the second time.
The incoming president, 78, fell inches short of his wife's face - with the pair air kissing instead.
Mrs Trump, 54, wore a wide-brimmed hat for the inauguration ceremony in Washington DC on Monday - which prevented her husband from reaching her cheek - and largely blocked her face from view.
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The Bidens, and other former presidents and first ladies, joined celebrities for Mr Trump's second inauguration ceremony at the US Capitol.
There was further awkwardness when Joe Biden appeared to pray as Mr Trump and his Vice President JD Vance prepared to take their oaths - and when singer Carrie Underwood suffered a false start with the music for 'America The Beautiful'.
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Mr and Mrs Trump, who married in 2005, suffered an equally awkward moment at his last inauguration in January 2017.
The then-president-elect appeared to forget about his spouse as he hurried up the White House steps to greet his predecessor Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, with Mrs Trump subsequently left to walk alone.
Later on that day, Mrs Trump was captured scowling at her husband - momentarily changing to a smile when he turned around - only to continue grimacing once his head was turned.
The couple's relationship came under further scrutiny in May that year during a visit to Tel-Aviv, Israel, when Mrs Trump appeared to push the president's hand away after he tried to hold it at a red carpet event.
The returning first lady was notably absent from her husband's second presidential campaign last year - save from its launch at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
She also made headlines in October with the release of her memoir, in which she declared her support for abortion rights - contradicting her husband's "pro-life" position.
After Mr Trump's attempted assassination in Pennsylvania in July, his wife's statement described his attacker as a "monster" and urged Americans to "ascend above the hate".
The couple met in 1998 - when she was 28 and Mr Trump's marriage to his second wife Maria Marples had not long broken down. A year after their wedding, Mrs Trump gave birth to their son Barron in 2006.
Mrs Trump chose American designer Eric Javits for her striking headwear, which also got in the way of former President Joe Biden as he tried to speak to Mr Trump.
Mr Javits said dressing the first lady was one of the biggest honours of his career, adding that she "is blessed with great bone structure, beauty and a wonderful sense of style".
Her silk wool coat, navy skirt, and ivory silk blouse were all made by US independent designer Adam Lippes.
He said of the opportunity to dress Mrs Trump: "The tradition of the presidential inauguration embodies the beauty of American democracy and today we had the honor to dress our first lady Mrs Melania Trump.
"Mrs Trump's outfit was created by some of America's finest craftsmen and I take great pride in showing such work to the world."
At the last Trump inauguration, his wife opted for blue cashmere by Ralph Lauren, drawing comparisons with the late First Lady Jackie Kennedy.