Melania, Donald Trump Spark Separation Rumors After Leaving Amalija's Funeral In Separate Cars
Melania Trump and Donald Trump's recent public sighting sparked separation rumors.
The former first couple were spotted together at Melania's mom Amalija Knavs' funeral. However, some netizens speculated something was off between the spouses because they left the event in separate cars.
Former US President Donald Trump (R) stands with his wife Melania Trump (2L) their son Barron Trump (C) and father-in-law Viktor Knavs, at the start of a funeral for Amalija Knavs, the former first lady's mother, outside the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, in Palm Beach, Florida, on January 18, 2024.
One netizen shared a video of Trump taking Melania to one car and briefly talking to her before walking away to ride in another vehicle.
"Separate cars," the netizen wrote in the caption.
The sighting sparked various reactions, with some seemingly questioning their marriage.
"Separate lives," one commented. Another added, "Separate beds. Separate rooms. Separate lives."
"Separate cars...States, houses, beds," a third person opined.
Former US President Donald Trump (center right) stands with his wife Melania Trump (2L) their son Barron Trump (center left) and father-in-law Viktor Knavs, as the coffin carrying the remains of Amalija Knavs, the former first lady's mother, is carried into the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea for her funeral, in Palm Beach, Florida, on January 18, 2024.
However, many defended the couple, with some insisting that it was all down to security. It would reportedly be safer for the two to ride in separate vehicles.
It is normal. Public men in general don't travel in the same vehicle with their spouses.
— Geremias Couto (@pastorgeremias) January 20, 2024
"Standard protection detail. You do not have two primaries in the same vehicle. A better chance that one of two might survive," one wrote. Another seemingly agreed, writing, "This is a security protocol."
"Maybe he's riding separately to protect his wife and family. Because the liberal mob wants him dead. Trump 2024," a third person opined.
"Trump holding her hand walking to the car! Stay mad loser," another netizen wrote, suggesting there was no drama between the couple after the funeral.
Judi James, a leading communication and body language expert who has appeared regularly on BBC News, Sky News, GB News and CNN, weighed in on Melania and Trump's body language at the event. She noticed that they had Barron stand between them, and it was reportedly a "deliberate" move to keep their distance from each other for a reason.
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Former President Donald J. Trump and Melania Trump exit the funeral of Ivana Trump at St. Vincent Ferrer Roman Catholic Church July 20, 2022 in New York City.
"Donald and Melania have positioned their son between them rather than standing together here, and Trump himself is standing rigidly to attention with his chin raised as though wanting to perform a mark of formal respect for his mother-in-law," James told Mirror.
"The lack of touch here could be deliberate. When someone has to mourn in public, it is common to worry that acts of comfort, support and affection can make them lose their composure completely, and that might be Melania's concern that she needs to stay in control of her emotions at this very public moment for the ex-FLOTUS."
James said Trump was also visibly emotional and was "much more vulnerable than usual." At one point, Barron was seen reaching out to his father, which James claimed was an effort to show support or comfort to his grieving dad.
