Melania Trump Releases Assertive Official Portrait as First Lady

The newly unveiled photo signals a shift toward a more active role for Melania Trump in her husband's second term as U.S. President.

The official portrait of First Lady Melania Trump was released a week after Donald Trump's inauguration for his second term.
Photographed by Belgian photographer Régine Mahaux, the black-and-white image features Melania Trump in a dark suit, leaning forward with her hands on a reflective table, and the Washington Monument in the background.
The photo contrasts sharply with her 2017 portrait, where she appeared more reserved, wearing visible jewelry and a softer expression.
Observers and analysts interpret the new portrait as a deliberate effort to project confidence and signal a more prominent role for the First Lady in the next four years.
The image has sparked varied reactions on social media, with some praising its boldness while others criticized it as overly staged.