A third asked, “Isn’t Melania suppose to stand up?” while a fourth wondered, “Wonder why Melania isn’t standing to clap with everyone else?”
Trump did take a moment in his speech to acknowledge Melania, later addressing Congress with praise:
“I also want to recognise another person who has devoted herself to foster care, community, she works so hard on it. Very loving person, our magnificent first lady of the United States.
“Melania’s work has yielded incredible results, helping prepare our nation’s future leaders as they enter the work force. Our first lady is joined by two impressive young women, very impressive, Haley Ferguson, who benefited from the first lady’s Fostering the Future initiative, and is poised to complete her education and become a teacher.
“And Elliston Berry, who became victim of an illicit deepfake image produced by a peer. With Elliston’s help, the Senate just passed the Take It Down Act.”
As the audience rose in applause, Melania was seen standing as well, smiling at her husband.
This isn’t the first occasion where Melania has chosen not to stand and applaud during one of Trump’s speeches.
During his first presidency, at his inaugural State of the Union address, Trump was speaking about the core values of American democracy when Melania remained seated.
“In America we know that faith and family, not government and bureaucracy, are the centre of American life,” he stated. “The motto is: In God we trust.”
