Best Of

All the details behind Melania Trump’s latest portrait

A commanding power pose — that’s how many would describe the official photo of Melania Trump recently released by the White House.

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?

Best Of

Dog found in dumpster wrapped up in duct tape: “I have never seen anything like it”

It’s truly horrifying how cruel some people can be towards animals. Recently, one poor dog was found with his entire head wrapped in duct tape.

Though it was a heartbreaking sight, the story does have a happy ending:

On April 15, Nebraska Humane Society shared the shocking story. Animal Control responded to a call from someone who heard an animal inside a dumpster: she initially thought it was a raccoon but was shocked to discover it was a dog.

The dog was in an unbelievable condition: his head was entirely wrapped in duct tape, as was his tail, and his legs were taped together. He also reportedly had “food and other debris caked in his fur.”

“I have never seen anything like it,” responding staff member Kevin Wiederin told KETV. “The entire muzzle was taped, and then there was tape covering up the eyes and it was just sitting there and its front and back paws were taped together also.”

“I was absolutely sickened. It was it was the most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen,” he added. “I can’t imagine doing that to another living being, let alone a helpless little dog and then just throwing it away like trash.”

It was a miracle he was discovered in time: NHS reports that, a half hour after Animal Control responded to the call, a truck came and emptied the dumpster.

The puppy was taken to the Nebraska Humane Society. He was sedated and the staff got to work removing the tape. They had to shave his fur to remove all the debris.

They wrote on Facebook that while the pup had mild skin irritation, he was “otherwise healthy and seemed to be in good spirits despite his condition” and “perked up and was wagging his tail.”

With the tape removed, the staff was thankfully able to find a microchip. It turned out the dog was named Leo, and he had gone missing a few days prior.

Leo’s owner Erin Dillon-Pasillas says the dog slipped out of the house while she was taking her son to school. She had spent days panicking and contacting shelters about her lost pet.

“Every day got more stressful… it was just crickets,” she told KETV. “I was shaking, calling them. You know, thinking, please be my dog, please be my dog.”

Erin was relieved to have her dog back, but was emotional over what happened to poor Leo. “He’s the sweetest dog! I don’t know why anyone would do this,” she told NHS.

Leo is now recovering from the ordeal and Erin said she would give him a nice bath and a vet check-up.

It’s not clear who did this to Leo. NHS says that there are no cameras near the dumpster where Leo was found. They encourage anyone with information to contact Animal Services at 402-444-7800, and are offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.

What a heartbreaking sight — it’s unimaginable that anyone would duct tape a sweet dog like that, but we’re glad Leo is safe and back home. We hope the culprit is found and faces justice.

Please share this story.

Best Of

Stranger gets text day after photo of family eating ice cream

We just never know how important any given action on any given day can be to someone else, never known who precious a seemingly innocuous photo or memory can become.

Since we spend so much of our lives taking care of ourselves, the bulk of our focus is directed inwards, and often we can lose sight of just how much we can affect others, the influence we can have.

That’s why it’s so important – if anyone needed reminding at this stage – for us all to do our utmost to be kind, always. Compassion and good will toward others are traits that never go out of fashion. Quite the opposite, in fact, they’ll forever have a crucial role to play in society.

Joyce Rhinehart was out to get ice cream with her grandson one day, back in 2017, when she spotted a family sitting on a bench nearby. They too were enjoying ice cream, and Joyce claimed she felt a sudden compulsion to take their photo…

As Joyce explained in a later Facebook post: “On June 8th I was at Rita’s Italian Ice with my grandson Blake treating him after his tennis lesson. As we were about to leave, there was this sweet family all sitting together on one of the benches enjoying a custard cone. Something urged me to ask them if I could take their picture…”

Joyce ended up doing just that, before the two families went their separate ways. It was a pleasant, heartwarming exchange like any other, and that would have been that.

Sadly, though, fate had other ideas.

Joyce’s post continued: “I took this picture below and then handed my phone to the young daughter and told her to go ahead and text the picture to their cell phone.

Left to take Blake home and explained to him how I have done this before when I see cute family moments of total strangers so they can have the memory.

Usually, I do this on vacation.“

Days later, however, Joyce was sitting on her patio when she got a text message from an unknown number.

A precious photo

“This was the message::::::” Joyce explained.

“Dear madam, you took our picture in front of Rita’s on June 8th. My wife has passed away yesterday and this is the last picture we have together as a family. Please accept my deepest gratitude for your kindness, it means the world to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Joyce further clarified that she had sent a number of messages back and forth with the man and found out that his wife had been ill for the past year.

“My heart is heavy for this sweet family I don’t even know and the tremendous gift that was left to them cause I listened to my gut that day. I’m in awe!!” Joyce said.

I don’t know about you, but this little gesture of compassion was enough to move me. It really is proof that we should never underestimate the profound difference a random act of kindness can make!

Best Of

January 6 Rioter Pardoned By Trump Has Died Weeks After His Release

A January 6 rioter who was pardoned by Donald Trump has died only weeks after his release.The Indiana man was pardoned for his involvement in the January 6 riots of 2021, where Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building and 4 people died while thousands were injured.Matthew Huttle was killed after being shot dead by a deputy during a traffic stop on Sunday.The Jasper County Sheriff’s deputy pulled him over near the Pulaski County line and tried to arrest the 42-year-old.In a news release, the police said: “An altercation took place between the suspect and the officer, which resulted in the officer firing his weapon and fatally wounding the suspect,”Huttle allegedly had a weapon on him, in the vehicle.He had been previously pardoned last week after a misdemeanor charge from the January 6 riots and had been sentenced to 6 months in jail, after pleading guilty to entering a restricted building.He went with his uncle to the government building and recorded a 16 minute video of himself. His attorney at the time of the offence said he had went to the Trump rally because he had assumed it would be a historic moment and that he had nothing better to do after he had just gotten out of jail for a previous driving offence.“He is not a true believer in any political cause,” defense attorney Andrew Hemmer said.His release came July 2024.No more details around why the officer had pulled him over have been released as of yet.The deputy who shot Huttle has been placed on administrative leave, as of now.Like this:Like Loading…