- The Washington Times - Tuesday, December 18, 2018

They are holding hands, beaming with smiles, gazing steadily into the camera and situated among gorgeous Christmas trees in the Cross Hall of the White House. The first couple look happy, and in good spirits.

The White House has released the official Christmas portrait of President Trump and first lady Melania Trump, who wears a stunning white dress. The photo was taken during a Congressional party on Saturday evening and drew considerable media coverage.

Surprisingly, much of it was neutral in tone, though several fashion and style magazines felt called upon to analyze the image.

“It’s a loose handhold,” said InStyle, in a lengthy analysis of the couple’s grip on one another.

“If you look at her hand, it is bent around his and slightly lifting his up. But you can see where he’s not fully joining in by the way that his thumb is awkwardly out. It’s very odd,” the publication said, also noting that Mrs. Trump’s posture looked “protective.”

The analysis also examined the couple’s feet and smiles, among other things.

The first lady was forthright and sincere, however, simply wishing the nation a Merry Christmas in a tweet introducing the image, which was taken by White House photographer Andrea Hanks.

Mrs. Trump’s tweet, incidentally, was liked 91,000 times within a few minutes of its posting and retweeted 18,000 times.

 

 

• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.

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