Melania Thinks Trump’s ‘Unpresidential’ Dancing Is Dumb: ‘They Don’t Like It, They’re Just Being Nice’
Melania Trump has privately voiced strong disapproval of President Donald Trump’s onstage dancing and his recurring impersonations of transgender athletes, describing the routines as “unpresidential” and “terrible,” according to Trump’s own remarks during a Tuesday address to Republicans at the Kennedy Center.
The president, 79, shared Melania’s criticism while enthusiastically performing the very acts she dislikes, illustrating a familiar dynamic in which he playfully dismisses her reservations to delight audiences.
Trump, speaking at the Kennedy Center on January 6, launched into his signature impersonation of a transgender athlete lifting weights—a bit he has repeated at rallies, commencements, and formal events before pausing to reveal Melania’s objections.
“By the way, my wife hates when I do this,” Trump said. “She said—you know, she’s a very classy person. She said, ‘It’s so unpresidential.’ I said, ‘But I did become president.’ She hates when I dance.”
He elaborated on her feedback: “She says, ‘Darling, please. The weight lifting is terrible.’ Now I have to say this—the dancing, they really like. She said, ‘They don’t like it, they’re just being nice to you.’ I said, ‘That’s not right. The place goes crazy. They’re screaming, ‘Dance, please!'”
Trump then drew historical comparisons: “She said, ‘Could you imagine FDR dancing?’… He was an elegant fellow. Even as a Democrat, right? He was. The attack by Japan. You know, he was quite elegant. But he wouldn’t be doing this,” he added, raising his arms in the exaggerated motion.
The exchange offered a rare window into the private conversations of the first couple, with Trump using Melania’s reported disapproval as a comedic foil while proceeding undeterred.
A Recurring Routine with Consistent Spousal Critique
The weightlifting impersonation—depicting dramatic arm pumps and grunts has become a staple of Trump’s public appearances, often tied to his commentary on transgender participation in women’s sports. He performed it in May 2025 at the University of Alabama commencement, prefacing it with similar disclaimers: “My wife gets very upset when I do this because ‘it’s not presidential.'”
When the graduating class cheered for him to continue, Trump quipped: “Alright, I’m in trouble when I get home. But that’s OK, what the hell. I’ve been in lots of trouble before.”
The dancing element gained widespread attention during an October 2024 Pennsylvania town hall, where Trump swayed and grooved onstage for 39 minutes after declining additional questions. The playlist included multiple plays of “Ave Maria” and his favorite, The Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.”
Trump frequently references Melania’s reactions to these performances, portraying her as an elegant counterbalance to his showmanship. Her relayed criticisms—always shared by Trump himself serve to humanize him while allowing the routines to proceed for crowd enthusiasm.
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Melania Trump, 55, has cultivated a deliberately low-key presence in her husband’s second term, focusing on selective initiatives such as child welfare, online safety, and anti-bullying efforts. She rarely comments publicly on Trump’s behavior or policy, maintaining an image of poised reserve that contrasts with his extroverted style.
When Trump shares her private opinions—whether on dancing, impersonations, or other quirks—it provides glimpses into their dynamic: Melania as the sophisticated advisor urging decorum, Trump as the defiant entertainer prioritizing audience connection.
Recent examples include Trump’s December 19 North Carolina rally, where he detoured into detailed commentary on Melania’s underwear organization during a discussion of the Mar-a-Lago FBI raid: “Her undergarments, sometimes referred to as panties, are folded perfect, wrapped. They’re, like, so perfect. I think that she steams them.”
Such personal anecdotes, always initiated by Trump, blend humor with intimacy, often deflecting from policy points.
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Trump’s performative elements—dancing, impersonations, and tangential stories—have become hallmarks of his events, energizing supporters and generating viral moments. The transgender athlete bit taps into cultural debates over sports fairness, a frequent Trump talking point resonating with conservative audiences.
Critics argue the antics distract from substantive governance, portraying Trump as more entertainer than statesman. Supporters counter that they reflect authenticity and connection with everyday Americans.
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The Kennedy Center remarks—delivered to Republican lawmakers rather than a rally crowd show how these routines have permeated even formal settings, with Trump using Melania’s disapproval for comedic effect.
Melania has not commented publicly on the routines or Trump’s retelling of her views. Her influence, conveyed through his anecdotes, adds a layer of domestic tension for entertainment value.
The exchange highlights a first couple dynamic where private reservations become public fodder, with Trump prioritizing audience engagement over spousal advice. In a presidency defined by spectacle, such moments ensure Trump’s style—unpredictable, defiant, and performative remains front and center, even when the First Lady wishes otherwise.
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