An awkward moment unfolded during Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration when he failed to kiss his wife, Melania Trump, just before taking the oath of office. As Trump, 78, entered the chamber to be sworn in, the cameras captured an almost kiss between him and Melania. Instead of a traditional kiss on the cheek, the couple ended up air-kissing, with Trump falling just inches short of his wife’s face.
Melania, 54, wore a wide-brimmed hat for the ceremony, which made it difficult for her husband to reach her cheek. The hat also obscured much of her face, adding to the awkwardness of the moment. Despite the brief tension, the Trumps were joined by other dignitaries, including the Bidens and several former presidents and first ladies, for the inauguration event at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
In addition to the awkward kiss, there was another moment of discomfort when President Joe Biden appeared to pray as Donald Trump and his Vice President, JD Vance, prepared to take their oaths. The ceremony also experienced a minor hiccup when singer Carrie Underwood faced a false start while performing “America The Beautiful.”
This wasn’t the first time the Trumps had a memorable but awkward moment during an inauguration. In January 2017, at Donald Trump’s first inauguration, a similar scene occurred when he appeared to overlook Melania as he rushed up the White House steps to greet Barack and Michelle Obama, leaving her to walk alone.
The couple, who married in 2005, continue to be in the spotlight, and these awkward moments at their high-profile events often capture public attention.
