Melania Trump is “an object” to her husband, according to a body language expert who analysed the behaviour of the First Family on inauguration day.
Followed by TV cameras, the US President and his wife were scrutinised constantly on the day Donald Trump was sworn in.
Many observers remarked on the apparently cold nature of the relationship between the couple, particularly in comparison to the Obamas.
“I don’t see any warmth or true love and compassion in that relationship whatsoever,” she told Mic.
Despite the close dancing of the President and his wife and the inauguration ball, another body language expert, Patti Wood, told the publication the way in which they danced was indicative of an unbalanced relationship.
The President was “pulling her in sexually,” making contact with the pelvis area, Ms Wood said, while Ms Trump was actually pulling away slightly from him as they danced – indicating she didn’t want to “merge with him as a partner”.
Another example which received more attention occurred near the beginning of inauguration day.
“It’s interesting that Trump got out of the car and came up the stairs and shook hands instead of helping his wife out of the car, waiting for her, or even looking back for her,” Ms Wood told the Mail Online.
Donald Trump arrives at the White House
This view was echoed fully by Ms Constantine, who said: “If you didn’t know that they were married, you wouldn’t know that they are married.”
Later, at the swearing in ceremony, television cameras caught Mr Trump apparently giving his wife only the most cursory of greetings as she joined him shortly before what was likely the biggest moment of his life.
An immediate comparison could be drawn to the Obamas, with Barack warmly greeting Michelle as she joined him on stage.
Throughout his campaign, Mr Trump’s conduct with women was widely regarded as sexist and has been recorded using numerous misogynistic expressions.
And in addition to making lewd comments about sexual harassment, a number of women also alleged he had harassed them in the past.
On Monday, he reintroduced the Mexico City Policy, which blocks US funding supporting family planning and reproductive rights – a move decried as an “assault on women’s health” by campaigners.
Many commentators are concerned that if Mr Trump has little regard for his wife, there will be little to impede him in implementing policies harmful to women.