During the first few months of Donald Trump’s second term, Melania Trump maintained a low profile; however, in recent months, she has been appearing in public more frequently.
Furthermore, the First Lady stole the show at the most recent White House Picnic, not Trump.
First Lady Melania Trump returned to the spotlight on June 12 as she joined crowds for the 2025 Congressional Picnic, drawing attention to the approaching summer. On one of her few appearances this year, the renownedly private wife of President Trump shocked many with her appearance.
When the 55-year-old former model made a rare appearance on the South Lawn for the yearly event, her husband praised her right away, telling the audience:
“I would like to express my gratitude to our magnificent First Lady for organizing this fantastic evening.”
Melania, who is generally regarded as being private and fiercely protecting her son Barron’s privacy, was spotted grinning while interacting with guests while wearing a bright white blouse and striking floral slacks.
Melania greeted guests at the event wearing pink suede pumps from Manolo Blahnik and floral cotton jacquard pants by Dolce & Gabbana, an effortlessly stylish summer ensemble that caught everyone’s attention, according to USA Today.
She was seen talking to people later that day, and the pictures soon went viral online, sparking a contentious discussion on social media.
Several online users praised her new look, with one commenting: “Melania is 100% Class! All lovers should aspire to be like Trump and Melania, who make the ideal couple. “Tonight might have been the best I’ve seen Melania look,” said another. Hair was spot on. [Her] attire was understated yet sophisticated. As usual, I’m smiling. 10 out of 10.
Not everyone, though, was as flattering.
Soon after pictures from the event were circulated, the question, “Is That Bruce Jenner?” became popular. Social media was inundated with criticism, with some claiming that Melania’s new appearance was strikingly similar to that of Caitlyn Jenner, the former Bruce. One Facebook user commented, “I thought I saw Caitlyn Jenner at first glance.”
The comparison has previously garnered media attention.
Old images of Caitlyn after her transition were re-posted on Instagram alongside images of Melania, sparking comments such as “Melania and Bruce Jenner look surprisingly similar” and “They DO look alike.” How strange. Melania always seems husky to me. Not feminine or soft, and definitely not sweet. Her facial features are similar, and she exudes masculinity. It’s accurate.
Others, however, vehemently disagreed with that assertion. In a direct response, someone said, “Melania does not resemble Bruce Jenner at all!” One person just said, “Oh p*ss off.”
For his part, the president kept praising her, not only for her appearance but also for her recent legislative efforts.
Trump mentioned her participation in the Take It Down Act, a bill aimed at eliminating nonconsensual explicit content from the internet, during his speech: “I want to express my gratitude to Melania and to everyone else. “You know, I think you’re going to take my job,” I said after seeing that bill pass both houses.
Many people think that Melania Trump’s wardrobe gives away subtle clues about her true feelings, which is why her choices are constantly scrutinized and the subject of endless online discussion. She went from wearing glitzy, runway-appropriate outfits to more subdued, conservative ones after becoming First Lady, as Women’sWear Daily once pointed out.
She was regularly spotted wearing Burberry, Valentino, and Ralph Lauren after 2016.
She supported brands like Dior and Michael Kors while running for president in 2024, but her attire still divides people.
Melania Trump has a talent for fusing expensive glitz with the occasional low-cost find, but her attire at the swearing-in earlier this year took everyone by surprise. In contrast to the soft, Jackie Kennedy-inspired powder blue outfit she wore to Donald Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, she wore a sleek black dress and a wide-brimmed hat that has gone viral.
In her analysis of the picture, Gwendolyn DuBois Shaw, chair of the University of Pennsylvania’s History of Art Department, stated:
“[Melania] has established herself firmly behind that incredibly shiny table, maintaining a slight distance from the audience.”
“I’m guessing she doesn’t have a soft side to her,” said one viewer, echoing a similar criticism. She never displays it if she does. If she did, that would be great.
