EJ Haust, a digital marketing expert and official guest host of The Michael Patrick Leahy Show, pointed out the significant “symbolism” in First Lady Melania Trump’s official portrait, detailing how the first lady’s portrait seems to mark a shift in how her role will differ from the first Trump administration.
On Monday, the White House released Trump’s official portrait which was captured by Belgian photographer Regine Mahaux in the Yellow Oval Room.
First Lady Melania Trump’s Official White House Portrait pic.twitter.com/pMdooFZW53
— First Lady Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) January 27, 2025
In the black and white portrait, Trump is sporting what appears to be a dark pantsuit and white blouse. The first lady is posing with her hands positioned on a desk with a reflective surface and has a firm expression.
A silhouette of the Washington Monument is seen beyond Trump’s shoulder as it sits adjacent to a window of the Yellow Oval Room.
Haust said there is “important symbolism” portrayed through Trump’s portrait, especially considering how the 2025 portrait differs from Trump’s 2017 portrait in which the first lady smiles as she poses with her arms crossed.
“Let’s contrast what the first Portraits were. Both she and her husband President Donald Trump in 2017, when they released their portraits, were in color. The demeanor was definitely softer. More of a small smile. This one, however, all black and white, all business. It’s a power position where she has her hands on the table and she’s looking directly at the camera with a very stern face. The symbolism is important,” Haust explained on Tuesday’s show.
“It is strong, and she’s saying, ‘I mean business now.; the portrait from 2017, she had her arms crossed, she was looking into the camera, and she’s very soft and kind, and you would just look at her and think what a beautiful woman, how lovely. This one, you look at it and you go, wow, she means business,” Haust added.
Haust said she believes the shift in demeanor among the first lady portrays the experiences Trump has dealt with over the last four years during the previous administration, from being personally attacked in the media to watching her husband endure similar attacks and be targeted by lawfare.
“She made no bones about having her personal items strewn about her home and having strangers go through her closet. She didn’t like that much at all,” Haust said, pointing to the 2022 FBI raid of Mar-A-Lago.
Aside from Trump’s official portrait, Haust went on to discuss Trump’s outfit worn during last week’s inauguration, specifically the dark hat of which the rim sat below the First Lady’s eyes and how the look also signified a shift in Trump’s role as First Lady.
Haust said the hat Trump wore was a deliberate move to be able to control her own image.
“The hat was down over her eyes. I think that’s going to be a signature thing for her…It doesn’t let the media toy with her image. She’s taking control over what she looks like. So no odd facial expressions, no rolling of the eyes, no unintended facial expressions that end up in a still shot somewhere. She’s taking control of that. Her entire image is very calculated and I respect it. She unfortunately has to do this because of the way she’s been attacked,” Haust explained.
“All of this is her saying, I’m going to play a role here,” Haust added.
Watch the full interview:
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
