Melania Trump is back in the spotlight – and this time, it’s thanks to her brand-new official White House portrait, released on January 28, 2025. The striking black-and-white photo shows the former First Lady in a bold black suit with high-waisted trousers, looking straight into the camera with an intense, no-nonsense gaze.

It didn’t take long for the internet to weigh in.

Elegant or Too Dramatic? The Internet Is Divided

Some praised the portrait as classy, commanding, and timeless, saying it reflects a woman who’s grown more confident in her role. Others felt it was overly stylized, with a few even joking that she looked more like the president than Donald Trump himself.

Photographed by Régine Mahaux, the portrait is a clear departure from her 2017 photo. It’s more serious, more deliberate — and some say, more powerful. With the Washington Monument subtly in the background, the image seems to lean into Melania’s ties to political influence, without saying a word.

That Inauguration Hat Still Has People Talking

The portrait comes not long after another Melania moment grabbed headlines — her inauguration day outfit, which featured a wide-brimmed black hat that some compared to funeral attire. Love it or hate it, the bold fashion choice once again reminded everyone that Melania knows how to command attention, even in silence.

A Carefully Curated Public Image

Throughout her time in the public eye, Melania has kept things private, poised, and polished. Her fashion choices — from sharp suits to statement hats — seem to speak volumes without revealing much. This new portrait continues that trend, portraying her as more than just a former First Lady — but as someone very much in control of how she’s seen.