A photo of Donald Trump awkwardly gripping Melania’s thumb during a June 2025 appearance at the Kennedy Center has gone viral, once again sparking public curiosity about their relationship. The image, which shows Melania offering only her thumb as they left the White House, quickly made the rounds on social media—leading to memes, body language breakdowns, and renewed talk of marital strain.

This isn’t the first time their hand-holding (or lack of it) has stirred discussion. People were quick to recall past moments—like when Melania swatted Trump’s hand away in 2017, or pulled her hand back during a 2020 debate. The latest image came during a high-profile event marked by protests and heckling, adding to the buzz.

Social media users had a field day with the “thumb-hold,” joking that it symbolized emotional distance. Some even teased the idea of a “scale” measuring how affectionate the couple appears in public. Others zeroed in on Trump’s hand, pointing out what looked like bruising.

Melania addressed these kinds of moments in her 2024 memoir, claiming they were misinterpreted and often due to practical reasons, not relationship issues. Still, these public gestures continue to draw attention—highlighting how political relationships are dissected and turned into viral content in today’s hyper-online world.