Why is Melania Trump’s inauguration hat going viral?

The internet is buzzing over the fact that Donald Trump failed to kiss his wife, Melania, at his inauguration ceremony in Washington DC. He only managed an awkward air kiss near her cheek moments before he was sworn in as president for the second time.  

What was behind this gauche moment?  

A sign of old age as the incoming president, 78, just couldn’t get his aim right? A nod to the fact that he’s celebrating the fact that a UK judge recently ruled that an air kiss was not sexual harassment? Or tensions in the marriage?

It wouldn’t be the first time. Between cheating scandals and porn star payments, the couple’s uncomfortable-to-watch interactions have been the subject of much speculation over the years. Who could forget that visit to Tel-Aviv in May 2017 when the first lady was caught on camera batting her husband’s hand away while they walked along the red carpet?

Let’s also not forget that Donald has prior form at inaugurations, as there was an equally embarrassing moment at his last inauguration in January 2017. The then-president-elect appeared to forget about his spouse as he rushed up the White House steps to greet Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, leaving Melania to walk alone. Charming.  

But in fact, the reason behind yesterday’s awkward missed kiss was that Melania Trump, 54, wore a wide-brimmed, face-blocking hat for the inauguration ceremony.

The striking fashion statement – which was halfway between Audrey Hepburn chic and ominous cloche – prevented her husband from reaching her cheek.

The hat was designed by Eric Javits, who said dressing the first lady has been one of the greatest honours of his career. 

“My art background gave me an edge in bringing harmony and balance to the face by creating hat shapes that would flatter and enhance every kind of face,” he said in a statement. “In this specific case that was not difficult to do, in that Mrs. Trump is blessed with great bone structure, beauty and a wonderful sense of style. 

The hat continued to make its mark throughout the inauguration ceremony, with even the now-former President Joe Biden having a hard time navigating the huge brim while trying to talk to her husband on the other side. 

Compared to the Jackie Kennedy-echoing fashion choices from 2017’s inauguration ceremony, which saw Melania Trump wear a blue cashmere dress and gloves by Ralph Lauren, the first lady opted for a muted navy silk wool coat with a navy skirt and an ivory silk crepe blouse this year, all by independent American designer Adam Lippes. 

“The tradition of the presidential inauguration embodies the beauty of American democracy and today we had the honour to dress our first lady, Mrs. Melania Trump,” Lippes said in a statement. “Mrs. Trump’s outfit was created by some of America’s finest craftsmen and I take great pride in showing such work to the world.” 

It’s worth noting that Ralph Lauren was the designer of choice for departing first lady Jill Biden, who chose the designer for her parting look.

So, why are so many focusing on Melania’s headwear?  

Well, quite aside from the fact it shows that the first lady clearly shares her husband’s strong beliefs regarding border control, many did not fail to notice that Donald Trump not only failed to properly kiss his wife but also forgot to place his left hand on the Bible as he was sworn in.  

Most modern presidents – including Trump in 2017 – placed their hand on a Bible while taking the oath of office, a symbolic gesture that represents a commitment to upholding truth and justice under the Constitution. 

This unexpected deviation from tradition brings us to the question: Who was holding the Bible? Melania!  

Did the hat strike again by creating a safe perimeter? Does that technically mean that the Oath didn’t count and that the first lady is the president now? And more importantly, what role with the hat play in her administration?

Despite various theories circulating on social media platforms, the apparent blunder / omission does not technically question the legitimacy of Trump’s inauguration, as the US Constitution does not stipulate that a president-to-be should have to place their hand on the Bible when taking the Oath.

So no, the cloche hasn’t risen to high office. Whether or not the move by Trump was a conscious one or simply an oversight remains unclear.  

What is crystal clear is that the internet is bustling with memes and hat-themed jokes. Melania’s fashion statement stole her husband’s thunder.

Hats off, FLOTUS.