“I want to thank my beautiful wife Melania… who has the number one bestselling book in the country,” Donald Trump said, turning to his wife who was standing a short distance from him. Melania, clad in a businesslike grey suit, smiled and waved at the cheering crowd. Trump was delivering his victory speech at Palm Beach County Convention Centre in Florida.
Trump then walked towards Melaniaarms outstretched for a hug. As Trump walked towards her, Melania stood her ground and made no visible move towards her husband. He hugged her and gave her a light, tentative peck on her cheeks, before jostling her shoulder in solidarity and support. Melania smiled back and touched his elbow as the couple celebrated Trump’s second term as US President.
Trump married Melania, his third wife, in 2005. The couple have a son, Barron Trump, together. Their dynamic often made headlines during Trump’s tenure at the White House. Melania’s noticeable absence from husband Donald’s campaign and her rather stand-offish demeanour in the public glare, revived suggestions of their assumed estrangement.
Trump tried to cover up with words what actions failed to demonstrate. “She has done a great job. She works very hard to help people. So I just want to thank her,” Trump said, before he went on to thank his “amazing children” who had joined him on stage during the victory speech. Melania, however, hardly looked in Trump’s direction.
With his own chemistry with Melania falling rather flat, Trump turned his attention to the other power couple on stage — running mate JD Vance and wife Usha. And here was a picture of contrast.
As JD Vance acknowledged the crowd’s cheer, his wife was all smiles as she looked at him with a proud expression.
As Trump went on to praise his “feisty” running mate, the Vances held hands on stage.
When invited to take the stage after months of election campaign ended with a decisive victory for the Republican, JD Vance affectionately kissed his wife’s lips, hugged her and then proceeded to the podium.
JD Vance has often praised his wife, crediting her for keeping him grounded. Usha Chilukuri and JD Vance met at Yale Law School and the couple married in 2014. They have three children together.
“Usha definitely brings me back to earth,” Vance told Megan Kelly in a podcast. “If I get a little too cocky or a little too proud, I just remind myself that she’s way more accomplished than I am.”
The Trumps and Vances were together on stage on November 6 as the Donald Trump-JD Vance team triumphed over the Kamala Harris-Tim Walz team. Their partners, who are going to be important in their stints in office, were there too. But the contrast in the chemistry of the two kisses was stark.
Published On:
Nov 6, 2024
