On March 3, 2025, former First Lady Melania Trump attended a meeting at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C, garnering mixed views online.

A user comment on Melania Trump, dated March 4, 2025 | Source: Facebook/peoplemag

Her appearance was part of efforts to urge the Senate to pass the Take It Down Act, a proposed law that aims to protect victims of both real and deepfake "revenge pornography" by making the publication of such content a criminal offense.

First lady Melania Trump arrives in the U.S. Capitol through the Senate Carriage Entrance on Monday, March 3, 2025 | Source: Getty Images

Melania's outfit for the occasion quickly drew attention. She wore a coordinated three-piece suit in a soft tan color. The ensemble included a fitted blazer, a matching vest, and slim-cut trousers.

She paired the suit with a crisp white button-up shirt and a dark navy tie. Her shoes, visible in the photos, were nude pointed-toe pumps. Her hair was styled in soft waves, and her makeup featured neutral tones, keeping the focus on her attire.

US First Lady Melania Trump walks to a meeting to urge passage of the Take It Down Act by the US Senate which protects victims of real and deepfake "revenge pornography" by criminalizing their publication, at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on March 3, 2025 | Source: Getty Images

The choice of outfit sparked conversations across social media platforms, with users sharing a range of opinions about her style. On Facebook, one user

wrote,

"It seems to me that Melania is taking on a more masculine appearance lately."

U.S. First Lady Melania Trump speaks during a roundtable discussion on the "Take It Down Act" in the Mike Mansfield Room at the U.S. Capitol on March 3, 2025, in Washington, DC | Source: Getty Images

Another

commented,

"Why does she keep wanting to dress like a man?" Others took a more complimentary tone, with one

adding,

"She wears it better than any guy could."

Another user

added,

"Actually its [sic] the style coming back." One more commenter

shared,

"She looks great in almost anything!!!!!"

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) (R) introduces and welcomes first lady Melania Trump during a roundtable discussion on the "Take It Down Act" in the Mike Mansfield Room at the U.S. Capitol on March 3, 2025, in Washington, DC. | Source: Getty Images

Similar discussions unfolded on Instagram. One commenter

wrote,

"Too masculine," while another expressed appreciation for the look,

saying,

"3 piece suits are magical." Another

asked,

"What's with all the masculine suits?"

Melania Trump's

appearance at the Capitol marked a rare solo outing, as she has largely maintained a low public profile in recent months. Her fashion choices have often attracted public interest, and this event was no exception.

Melania Trump is pictured at a roundtable discussion on the "Take It Down Act" in the Mike Mansfield Room at the U.S. Capitol on March 3, 2025, in Washington, DC. | Source: Getty Images

Whether praised or questioned, her tailored suit became a talking point, highlighting the ongoing conversation around style, gender norms, and personal expression.

Yet, this was not the first time she sparked conversations this year. On January 28, 2025, Melania's official White House portrait was unveiled through her Facebook account, once again drawing attention as experts weighed in on the meaning and visual impact of the widely discussed image.

Netizen comment about First Lady Melania Trump's 2025 White House portrait, posted on January 28, 2025. | Source: Facebook/ABC News

The striking black-and-white composition immediately commanded attention. With a poised yet authoritative stance, Melania leaned forward, placing both hands firmly on a reflective glass table, exuding confidence and control. She wore a tailored black suit, including a structured blazer paired with a crisp white button-up shirt and high-waisted trousers.

Her long, wavy hair cascaded effortlessly over one shoulder, framing her chiseled features, while her makeup remained understated, with defined brows and subtly accentuated eyes adding to the overall polished look.

Behind her, the grand windows of the White House offered a glimpse of the Washington Monument, its presence subtly reinforcing the historical weight of the moment. The natural light filtering through the glass cast a soft glow on her face, enhancing the contrast between her dark ensemble and the luminous backdrop.

After the White House portrait was revealed, online discussions erupted, with netizens expressing a wide range of opinions. Several users commented on her eyes, with one

exclaiming

, "Those eyes..........!!!" while another

observed

, "Wow! Those eyes tell me she is serious."

Others took a more critical approach to voicing their thoughts, pointing out what they believed to be a

harsh expression

. "Yikes she looks so mean!"

opined

one person. Similarly, someone else

said

, "That look on her Face...if [sic] looks could kill."

Many netizens also referenced an uncanny resemblance between Melania and her husband,

US President Donald Trump.

"I swear she's looking more and more like her husband,"

noted

an observer.

Another

questioned

, "Why am I seeing a Donald Trump hard eye glare??" while someone else

remarked

, "She looks like a female version of her husband."

On the flip side, a supporter

swooned

, "Beautiful and classy!!" However, a skeptic questioning the authenticity of the image

asserted

, "So photoshopped, does not even look like her."

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the Liberty Inaugural Ball in Washington, DC on January 20, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

The person responsible for the widely debated portrait is someone deeply familiar with her subject. Régine Mahaux, a

Belgian photographer

with over two decades of experience photographing the Trump family, was once again entrusted with the responsibility of creating Melania's official White House portrait.

Having previously shot the First Lady's 2017 portrait during Donald's first term, Régine

expressed deep gratitude

for the opportunity to do so again in a recent interview. Beyond her longstanding professional relationship with the Trumps, Régine also emphasized Melania's personal investment in the creative process.

She described working with her as a privilege, noting that the First Lady's perfectionism and hands-on approach played a key role in shaping the final image.

Experts analyzing

Melania's newly unveiled portrait have noted the carefully curated nuances within the composition—elements that subtly yet powerfully shape the message it conveys.

According to them, her assertive stance, with fingertips placed firmly on a reflective glass table, projects a sense of authority and purpose.

Similarly, the pose appears to signal a readiness to engage with the responsibilities of the First Lady, a role that traditionally blends advocacy and public service with the ceremonial duties of White House hostess.

Melania's undeniable ease in front of the camera is another defining aspect of the portrait, a quality attributed not only to her years as a model but also to her longstanding professional relationship with Régine.

Having worked together for more than two decades, Régine is someone the First Lady deeply trusts—an essential factor in capturing an image that embodies confidence, composure, and timeless elegance.

However, the portrait is not simply a declaration of power; it also maintains an

air of distance

. Experts point out that, despite the commanding pose, Melania has strategically positioned herself behind the ultra-polished table, creating a subtle but noticeable boundary between herself and the viewer.

Melania Trump speaking during a campaign rally in New York City on October 27, 2024. | Source: Getty Images

The choice reflects an element of restraint, reinforcing the aura of mystery and inscrutability that has long characterized her public persona.

When placed side by side, Melania's 2025 White House portrait

stands in contrast

to the one taken during her initial tenure as First Lady.

Experts analyzing the two images have pointed out the subtle yet significant shifts in tone, composition, and symbolism—each capturing a different facet of Melania's evolving public image.

In her

2017 portrait

, Melania exuded a softer elegance. With a gentle half-smile, parted lips, and a warm, glowing backdrop, the image carried an air of accessibility and approachability. The soft focus further accentuated this effect, lending a polished, almost ethereal quality to her presence.

Melania Trump's 2017 White House portrait in Washington, DC in April 2017. | Source: Getty Images

Fast-forward to 2025, and the transformation is striking. The warm hues have been replaced with a stark black-and-white palette. Gone is the subtle warmth of her expression—her lips now firmly set, her gaze direct, unwavering, and undeniably intense.

Experts have noted that while eye contact can often signal openness, in this portrait, it reads more as a statement of strength rather than an invitation for accessibility.

Melania Trump visiting the Notre Dame Cathedrale in Paris, France on July 13, 2017. | Source: Getty Images

Another notable shift is in location. Unlike her 2017 portrait, which was taken in the family quarters of the executive mansion, in the 2025 one, the Washington Monument stands unmistakably behind her, visually reinforcing her presence in the heart of political power.

Melania Trump looks on during an election night event in West Palm Beach, Florida on November 6, 2024. | Source: Getty Images

The message is clear—she is firmly in Washington, not New York or Mar-a-Lago, embracing her role in a way that appears far more intentional than before.