Donald and Melania Trump were caught in a tense exchange during a flight aboard Marine One, the President’s official helicopter.
The couple, who were returning to the White House after a happening day at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, appeared to be in a disagreement.
As reported by Daily Mail, witnesses observed the 79-year-old President gesturing towards his wife, 55, as they sat across from each other. The interaction, which took place on Wednesday evening, was visible through the helicopter’s window, capturing a rare moment of discord between the famously private couple.
Trump’s escalator sabotage claim at the UN
The tension between the Trumps seemed to stem from an incident earlier at the United Nations, where they faced a malfunctioning escalator as they entered the building.
President Trump wasted no time seizing the moment to accuse the UN of a deliberate act of sabotage. Speaking with outrage, he described the situation as “absolutely sabotage,” claiming the malfunction could have led to a serious injury.
“Melania and I could have fallen face-first onto the sharp edges of the steel steps,” he said. He also accused UN personnel of joking about cutting the power to the escalator while they were on it, a claim that added fuel to his fury.
Public display of tension between couple
While the First Lady has often appeared to show frustration with her husband’s public displays of affection, the Marine One encounter only added to the growing narrative of a strained marriage.
Over the years, Melania has been seen swatting away Donald’s attempts to hold her hand in public and even wearing large-brimmed hats that seem to block his attempts for a kiss.
A particularly awkward moment occurred during Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025, when the couple’s attempt at a public kiss was thwarted by Melania’s wide-brimmed hat, leading to an “air kiss” that quickly went viral.