Aside from a professional lip reader revealing the words Donald and Melania Trump shared during their dance at an inaugural ball, some netizens shared strong opinions about how the couple appeared.
During President Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025, he and First Lady Melania Trump shared a dance at the Liberty Ball. Lip reading expert Jeremy Freeman has weighed in with his analysis concerning the conversation the couple had during the event that also showcased the striking structural gown Melania donned, designed by her stylist.
As the orchestra played a slow, romantic tune at the ball, Donald and Melania took center stage. The couple swayed gently to the music, with the President of the United States (POTUS) wrapping his arm firmly around the waist of the First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS).
Melania rested her hand on her husband’s back, bringing herself closer to him as they shared an intimate moment and exchanged words in front of the crowd.
According to Freeman, who is an Expert Witness Forensic Lip Reader with certification from the Deafness Cognition and Language Research Centre at University College London, at some point, Melania stated, “Today is one we will never forget.”
Donald then replied, “You’re right, I’ll learn, I’ll fight.” The exchange grew even more personal as Melania assured her support with, “I got you.”
Freeman, who has been lip reading professionally for over a decade, said Donald responded with, “We’ll see. Will you control it? Less tricky, less pushing away?” “It’s a no,” answered Melania, to which Donald reportedly acknowledged that he heard her.
For the Liberty Ball, which the duo attended before ending the evening at the Union Station’s Starlight Ball, Donald opted for a classic black tuxedo, paired with a crisp white shirt and a black bow tie.
Meanwhile, Melania stunned in a sophisticated white gown featuring bold black accents and an asymmetrical design that hugged her figure. She styled her hair in soft waves and completed the look with a striking black choker adorned with a diamond brooch.
The FLOTUS’ inaugural gown was the brainchild of her trusted stylist, Herve Pierre, who collaborated closely with Melania to bring her vision to life.
In a statement, Herve shared his gratitude for the opportunity and explained the inspiration behind the gown, saying, “It is a big honor […] It was clear that Mrs. Trump was gravitating toward a combination of black and white — true to her own style and vision.”
Adding to the excitement, Herve took to Instagram to boast about his work, sharing an image of two design sketches of Melania’s dress.
The illustration highlights the gown’s unique details, including a floor-length, form-fitting silhouette with asymmetrical black accents running diagonally across the body, and the matching black choker she wore to tie the look together.
In his caption, Herve expressed, “It was such an honor to create the dress for the First Lady Melania Trump tonight.. I can’t thank her enough… it was a wonderful project, a great collaboration… as always !!!! A big thank to @atelieryqs for helping me on that project … your work is 👌🏻impeccable 🙏🏻 [sic].”
Melania and Donald’s dance at the Liberty Ball sparked some online reactions, with netizens sharing a variety of opinions on the moment.
Some observers did not shy away from critiquing the interaction, expressing how uncomfortable the couple’s dance looked. “Awkward. You are lying if you don’t notice that,” remarked one viewer.
Another opined, “Trump and Melania’s Inaugural Ball first dance was something else — a stiff, awkward shuffle that looked more like a hostage situation than a celebration.”
However, not all feedback was negative. One spectator who saw the moment differently complimented, “So sweet,” offering a contrasting perspective to the broader discourse.
The Liberty Ball may have garnered significant attention, but it was only one of three inaugural balls attended by Donald and Melania Trump during the historic evening. The festivities began with the Commander-in-Chief Ball, where the couple made their first appearance of the night at 10:30 p.m.
Despite the late schedule, eager crowds had waited for hours to catch a glimpse of the POTUS and FLOTUS. Once on stage, the pair shared a slow dance to “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” performed by the United States Marine Band.
The moment became even more memorable when Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, joined the Trumps on stage for a paired dance.
During the Commander-in-Chief Ball, Donald took a moment to address the crowd, greeting the gathering with his signature energy. “This is quite a gathering huh?” said the president.
The night concluded at the Starlight Ball, rounding out an evening filled with spectacle, celebration, and moments that will undoubtedly remain a part of inaugural history.
While the Liberty Ball drew significant attention online, the trio of events painted a complete picture of the First Couple’s evening — a mix of formalities, festivities, and public engagement.