A recent tell-all book from Stephanie Winston Wolkoff (and former Melania Trump confidant) details the bad blood between Melania and Ivanka -- whom Melania, according to Wolkoff, has referred to as "Princess." Melania's icy stare at Ivanka last night gave credence to the rumors.
Source: NDTV
Rumours of tension between US First Lady Melania Trump and her stepdaughter Ivanka gained ground on the final night of the Republican National Convention (RNC) this Thursday. During the RNC, US President Donald Trump formally addressed his party members and accepted the party's re-nomination, reports CNN. However, much of social media's attention was focused on the moment Melania Trump greeted her stepdaughter Ivanka Trump onstage.
Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump's daughter with his first wife, Ivana, also serves as White House adviser. She had just introduced her father for his acceptance speech and was walking back when she was greeted by Melania Trump with a winning smile. The smile on the First Lady's face, however, soon turned into an eye roll in a moment that is breaking the Internet.
Melania Trump dressed in a striking lime gown by Valentino for the final night of the RNC, reports the New York Post. Ms Trump was seen smiling at her stepdaughter - but her expression hardened as soon as Ivanka passed her by. A video of Melania Trump's rapid change of expressions has gone viral, collecting over 5 million views in less than three hours of being shared on Twitter.
The internet noticed.
This was so weird. #RNC2020 pic.twitter.com/YHReTl0bfT
— Dana Goldberg (@DGComedy) August 28, 2020
I see that Melania and Ivanka are getting along juuuuust fine. pic.twitter.com/ktnmRBBG7Q
— TrumpsTaxes (@TrumpsTaxes) August 28, 2020
Call it a hunch, but I don't think Melania likes Ivanka very much. On that, we can agree. #BeBestpic.twitter.com/bqIN6ytR3m
— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) August 28, 2020
Did Melania just roll her eyes at Ivanka? @ProjectLincoln pic.twitter.com/EBFRheqOtD
— Art Santiago 🇵🇷🇸🇻 (@SantiG08) August 28, 2020
A body language expert weighed in, with a detailed examination.
5/ As Ivanka turns and can no longer see her, Melania's mid-face grows tense, her nostrils flare, the corners of her mouth pull back and her upper eyelids begin to open widely.
Melania is feeling Anger and Disgust. pic.twitter.com/WJ7HvL1ird— Dr. Jack Brown (@DrGJackBrown) August 28, 2020
13/ This brief but dramatic elevation of upper eyelids, when viewed without attention to detail, is often misinterpreted as an eye roll — but it's not (An eye roll is a deliberate [conscious] display of contempt).
— Dr. Jack Brown (@DrGJackBrown) August 28, 2020
So, more of a reflexive response than a deliberate eye roll. If that's the case, Melania Trump should probably avoid playing poker.