When President Donald Trump’s official second-term portrait was released, it portrayed a clear vision of confidence and authority.
And when Lady Melania Trump’s portrait was unveiled this week, her trademark poise was unsurprisingly on full display.
Her suit, expression, and stance all contributed to an image made even starker by its black-and-white composition.
First Lady Melania Trump’s Official White House Portrait pic.twitter.com/pMdooFZW53
— First Lady Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) January 27, 2025
As Fox News reported:
The first lady is seen in a striking power pose – leaning slightly forward with her hands resting on a table.
The black and white portrait was captured by esteemed photographer Régine Mahaux. It was taken on January 21, 2024, in the Yellow Oval Room of the White House, according to the office of the first lady.
Early social media reviews were overwhelmingly positive:
Badass
— Bob Lowry (@BobLowry18) January 27, 2025
🔥🔥🔥
— Enon Amos (@EnonAmos) January 27, 2025
Incredible photo! So stunning! So gorgeous! Love it.
— Liana Herrera (@lianan) January 27, 2025
My new screen saver
— Lois (@LOunlimited) January 27, 2025
The New York Post addressed some of the notable differences between Melania Trump’s 2017 portrait and the composition revealed this week:
In contrast to the smile in Melania’s full-color 2017 portrait, also shot by Mahaux, the first lady’s lips are closed in a serious expression this time around.
Mahaux, based in Paris, has regularly photographed the Trump family since 2006.
Other of the snapper’s noted subjects include the Belgian royal family, actor Robert De Niro and actress Salma Hayek.
The first lady has said she will divide her time between Washington, New York and South Florida over the next four years — the better to spend time with her son Barron, a freshman at NYU.
“I will be in the White House. And when I need to be in New York, I will be in New York,” Melania told Fox News in a Jan. 13 pre-inauguration interview.
Here’s a flashback to the response to the president’s attention-grabbing White House portrait:
Join the conversation!
Please share your thoughts about this article below. We value your opinions, and would love to see you add to the discussion!