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By Hannah Parry
Associate News Editor
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President Donald Trump has revealed several things he says first lady Melania Trump "hates" about his public appearances.
Addressing his supporters in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Trump said his wife had criticized his signature rally dance moves and his habit of imitating a weightlifter during speeches about transgender athletes, describing the moments as not "presidential."
"She hates it when I imitate no men in women's sports," he told the crowd. "She hates it when I do 'the weightlifter,'" he added, imitating the motion of pumping iron. "She said it's not presidential. I said, 'Well it may not be presidential, but I won the election in a landslide, so I don't know.'"
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It's not the first time Trump has shared Melania's disapproval around some of his more theatrical onstage moments. The president has previously shared she's not a fan of his dancing or impressions, describing her as "a very classy person."
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Trump Says Melania Hates His Dancing
Trump's dancing has become one of his most recognizable rally traditions, particularly when he moves to the Village People's "Y.M.C.A." at campaign events.
According to Trump, Melania believes the routine does not fit the image of a president.
Earlier this year, the president said Melania questioned whether former President Franklin D. Roosevelt, whom he described as "an elegant fellow," would have behaved similarly in public.
"She hates when I dance," Trump said during an address to Republican lawmakers in January. "She actually said, 'Can you imagine FDR dancing?'"
Trump has previously shared a similar story. During a 2023 appearance at the California Republican Party fall convention, Trump said Melania told him his dancing was "not presidential."
"I said, 'But people like it,'" Trump recalled. He said he explained that audiences regularly encourage him to perform.
"I said I have a problem because everybody wants it. They are screaming 'dance, dance, dance,'" Trump said.
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Trump Says Melania Dislikes His Weightlifting Impression
Trump also said Melania objects to a gesture he makes while discussing transgender athletes competing in women's sports.
During speeches on the issue, Trump has sometimes used exaggerated hand movements to imitate a weightlifter. He said Melania considers the performance inappropriate for a president.
Trump said Wednesday that Melania "hates when I do 'the weightlifter.'"
In January, he recalled Melania telling him: "'Darling, please, the weightlifting is terrible.'"
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He responded by pointing out that he had still won the presidency: "I said, 'But I did become president.'"
Trump previously described the same exchange during his 2023 California speech, saying Melania told him: "'It's not presidential.'"
Melania Has Previously Commented on Trump's Public Image
Trump's comments are not the first time he has said Melania gives him feedback about his public appearances.
During the 2023 California Republican Party speech, Trump said Melania had criticized his appearance on camera after watching an interview, telling him: "'You didn't look good, too much light.'"
Trump's Rally Style Remains a Political Trademark
Trump's dancing and physical gestures have become a defining part of his campaign appearances, with supporters often encouraging him to repeat them.
While Melania has generally maintained a lower public profile and has rarely addressed her husband's remarks about their private conversations, Trump has repeatedly portrayed her as someone who gives him advice about his image and presentation.
The president has continued using the same rally traditions that he says his wife has criticized, arguing that supporters enjoy the moments and expect them at his events.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Edward T. Cummins.
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