All the details behind Melania Trump’s latest portrait
But for those with a keen eye, there’s another detail that stands out…
Black-and-white portrait
As First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump has brought her own unique style and elegance to the White House.
Known for her elegance and eye for detail, Melania Trump’s official portraits have always been more than just photos. They’ve sparked plenty of conversations and debates, inviting people to take a closer look at her style, her personality, and her place in American history.
The latest photo released by the White House is no exception, embodying both grace and strength while leaving viewers intrigued by some subtle details.
This black-and-white portrait, taken by renowned photographer Régine Mahaux, was shot on January 21, 2025, in the Yellow Oval Room of the White House, as confirmed by the first lady’s office. Mahaux is a Belgian photographer who has spent over two decades capturing images of the Trump family.
”I was really honoured to be chosen to shoot this official portrait for the second time,” Ms Mahaux told BBC.
”As an artist to work with such an inspiring woman is a great privilege. She is a perfectionist and is really involved in the creative process.”
In the official photo, the first lady is pictured in a commanding power pose, leaning forward slightly with her hands placed firmly on a table. The towering Washington Monument looms in the background, dominating the skyline of the nation’s capital.
Did you notice the change?
Many have pointed out that Melania Trump, a former fashion model, presents a vastly different image in her 2025 portrait compared to her official 2017 photo.
Back in 2017, Melania faced significant backlash over one particular detail in her official portrait. She prominently displayed her 25-carat diamond ring, a gift from President Donald Trump in 2014. Critics argued that wearing the extravagant sparkler, valued at an estimated $3 million, came across as tone-deaf and insensitive.
In her latest black-and-white shot, shot one day after her husband was sworn in as president, she’s dressed in a sharp, dark suit with a crisp white shirt, her hair styled in loose waves, and her nails perfectly manicured.
Contrast that with her 2017 portrait, which had a softer, more approachable vibe. That photo was in color, with a soft-focus effect, showing Melania in a black blazer, arms crossed, and offering a gentle smile. The shift between the two portraits couldn’t be more striking — 2025 radiates power and authority, while 2017 leaned into elegance and warmth.
“This time, Melania is out for revenge,” noted one user on X, according to Fox News.
Another chimed in, saying, “Her revenge tour is going to be awesome!”
Another observant Facebook user pointed out something else: “Hillary Clinton wore a pant suit. There was a lot of criticism. I remember. I think we’ve come a long way since then. She looks beautiful and I love the black & white photo, even though, I admit, it’s a little different of a First Lady photo. We are in new times!”
”At least she is wearing clothes…”
As is often the case with political figures, opinions were sharply divided. When the photo was shared on ABC’s Facebook page, the comments section quickly filled with mixed reactions. Many critics felt that Melania’s expression came across as cold and unapproachable, with some complaining that she couldn’t even manage a smile for the occasion. The striking tone of the photo seemed to spark as much controversy as it did admiration.
“It’s as though the photographer told her to look as mean as Donald in his official portrait. What a pair,” one user wrote.
“At least she is wearing clothes, unlike her past pictures!” another noted.
Melania is said to be much more prepared to enter the White House this time, so it makes sense to assume that she will approach things differently.
According to another body language expert, Inbaal Honigman, her behavior was different at this inauguration than in 2017.
“Melania’s body language during the 2025 inauguration is still and neutral,” Inbaal told Covers.com. “She sits still in her model pose, her facial expression neutral, not drawing any attention to herself, letting all attention be on her husband.”
Whether you love it or find it too distant, it’s clear that this photo, like so many moments in her time as First Lady, is bound to leave an impression. What do you think? Does this bold new look represent a shift in how we view the role of the First Lady, or is it just another reflection of the times we’re living in?
Research shows body senses death is near – it starts in nose
Humans do not like to be in the dark about things, and perhaps that is why the idea of death scares so many people. However, research shows that while death remains largely a mystery, some of the things surrounding it are becoming more and more obvious.
Keep reading to learn more.
What cannot be explained by science is often referred to as a ‘sixth sense’ by people. And sometimes, scientific research comes out which ends up confirming what humans had long suspected with their sixth sense.
According to research, when a person dies, their body immediately starts to break down. During this, putrescine is emitted into the surroundings. Putrescine is a toxic and foul smell, and humans, at a subconscious level, can recognize this as a putrefying odor. And when the human brain recognizes this scent, it immediately responds to the death.
Researcher Arnaud Wisman from the University of Kent’s School of Psychology in Canterbury, UK, and Ilan Shira from the Department of Behavioral Sciences in Arkansas’ Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas, shared that much like animals, humans can also sense scents and respond accordingly. This is a major survival tactic developed across several species. So when humans come across putrescine, consciously or subconsciously, they respond to it.
The researchers conducted experiments that show that when humans are exposed to the putrescine scent, they move away similarly to animals who also run away in similar circumstances. “We do not know why we like (or dislike) someone’s smell, and we’re usually not aware of how scent influences our emotions, preferences, and attitudes,” Wisman and Shira stated.
“It is hard to think of a scent as frightening,” other researchers have claimed. But it is not untrue that scents make people more alert about their surroundings.
Sex pheromones, which are defined as odors produced by males or females, also have a reaction on human behavior, which usually brings a reaction in another human for the purpose of mating.
“Putrescine signals a different type of message than pheromones, but people’s responses to putrescine (avoidance and hostility) do seem indeed to be the opposite of responses to many sexual pheromones,” one researcher explained.
But unlike other scents, for this one, humans are not aware they are smelling it and their response is more likely subconscious. So it seems our nose can help us figure out if there is death or perhaps ‘danger’ nearby.
It is always so fascinating to learn about how humans work and how our subconscious might be reacting to things we might not even notice! Share this with others so they can also know about this fascinating discovery.
Tom Selleck says fatherhood is the “most important” role he has ever played
Yet whilst it’s impressive that he’s managed to retain the respect and love of the masses throughout the entirety of his career, arguably an even greater feat is that he’s kept his family life private over the years.
The Magnum P.I. actor has faced some serious challenges across the decades, but his golden rule has always been to put his family first.
It’s no surprise, then, that Selleck admitted, as per CBS Local in 2012, that fatherhood is the most important role he’s ever had to play.
Selleck and his wife, fellow actress Jillie Mack, welcomed their daughter Hannah Magaret to the world in 1988. For Selleck, it was a day that changed everything.
The actor even moved his family to a ranch in Ventura County, California, as he believed it would give them the best shot at raising Hannah out of the searing spotlight of Hollywood.
“I quit Magnum to have a family,” Selleck explained to People back in 2012.
“It took a long time to get off the train, but I try very hard to have balance, and this ranch has helped me do that.”
Fast forward to now and that’s a choice that certainly seems to have paid dividends.
Not only was Hannah given a safe, rural environment in which to grow up, but living on the ranch brought her closer to the animals that would shape her own career: horses.
The now 36-year-old forged a career as a world-class equestrian, winning laurels and fame in her own right along the way.
“As a kid [my parents] tried to raise me as normally as possible given my dad’s line of work,” she told The Epoch Times.
“Those horses have been a great way for me to have my own accomplishments outside of whatever my parents had done.” Hannah started horse-riding at the tender young age of 4 and there’s been no looking back since.”
Tom Selleck never fails to impress me, and I know I can’t be the only fan of his!
Share this article if you, too, think Tom Selleck is a good actor and, more importantly, a good man.
Sally Jessy Raphael claims Instagram won’t verify her account
The former talk show host took to Instagram claiming the social media company refused to verify her account despite her providing them proof of her identity.
“So, Instagram doesn’t want to give me my blue check – no matter what proof I send them,” the 89-year-old wrote alongside an image of a gigantic blue checkmark. “AND there’s a fake account called ‘realsallyjr’, and that’s NOT ME! Help me let Instagram know, so we can fix this.”
Raphael began hosting the The Sally Jessy Raphael Show, later titled Sally, in October 1983. She hosted the tabloid-style show until May 2002.
Her show was one of the first syndicated talk shows that involved audience participation. She helped paved the way for women in the business, including Oprah whose show premiered three years after Sally.
Over the course of 20 seasons, Raphael interviewed countless celebrities, though she always maintained that Audrey Hepburn was her favorite.
“I was so awestruck, I could hardly ask a question. Everything she did, I admired. Everything she had done in her life I found to be exemplary,” she told the DailyMail.
Throughout her career and even into her retirement, Raphael has maintained a signature look that makes her stand out in a crowd.
When filming began for The Sally Jessy Raphael Show, she realized she couldn’t see the teleprompter.
“When we started, I looked at the teleprompter and I said ”I can’t read that! I’m going blind!’ “
On her search for a new prescription, Raphael came across an ad for an eye test, glasses and a Pap smear. Despite the bizarre ad, the talk show host booked an appointment.
During the appointment she was told she would need a more expensive pair of glasses, but unfortunately they only color they had was red.
“You got it,” Raphael said.
Although she didn’t anticipate the trouble she’d face from the producers of her show.
“I had to fight to have the glasses. Producers tried to change them. Those shadowy figures objected to everything.”
She has since accumulated over 200 pairs of red glasses.
As of August 2, Raphael currently has less than 650 followers on Instagram, but even though her numbers might not match those of other talk show hosts, her fans are just as loud if not louder with their support.
“The Icon, the Legend of daytime TV, Ms. Sally Jessy Raphael needs her Blue Check Mark ? “
“That’s pretty crazy that someone as famous as you are is having trouble with being recognized. I’m trying to understand what the issue is though”
“We should flood your feed with blue hearts it’s so much better than a blue checkmark”
I remember watching Sally on TV! Do you? Let us know in the comments.