Melania Trump has become the butt of jokes on her 49th birthday of all days after the White House paid tribute to the first lady with an awkward photo of her sitting alone on a couch.
The White House tweeted a picture of Melania seated by herself in the Oval Office last month during President Trump’s meeting with Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis to wish FLOTUS a ‘Happy Birthday’ on Friday.
Happy Birthday, @FLOTUS! pic.twitter.com/qwUwcod5LC
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 26, 2019
People couldn’t resist taking to Twitter to mock the strange choice of photo, which has inspired viral memes showing Melania cuddled up to everyone from Vladimir Putin to Kellyanne Conway.
In the image, Melania is sitting on the far end of the couch in a green double-breasted coat.
Her legs are crossed, and she is staring off into the distance, away from her husband.
To add insult to injury, the photographers who surround her are focused on the president and prime minister — not her.
One Twitter user wondered if the staffers who are in charge of the White House’s social media accounts ‘really hate her that much.’
President Trump did not wish his wife a happy birthday on his personal Twitter account.
Here are other reactions to the strange choice of photo:
— GuillaumeTC (@GuillaumeTC) April 26, 2019
When there’s plenty of room on the couch but everybody refuses to sit next to you
— Not that David Again (@derflatermouse) April 26, 2019
This is SO STRANGE
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) April 26, 2019
— Dusty Giebel (@DustinGiebel) April 26, 2019
This is a really lame picture. Why not wish her a happy birthday with a picture of her doing something?
— Molly Jong-Fast (@MollyJongFast) April 26, 2019
This is what she does. Sit around squinting.
— Helen Kennedy (@HelenKennedy) April 26, 2019
Sitting alone expressionless on a sofa in her coat while the cameras and mics are all aimed at Pompeo and/or Bolton. She is a true mannequin.
— Elise Flynn (@TashaMahal) April 26, 2019
— Ace Hoffman (@AceHoffman) April 26, 2019
— Chibi Lexenstar (@chibilex1) April 26, 2019
Fixed! pic.twitter.com/SVysbCWC5Y
— MathLOFF (@MathLOFF) April 26, 2019
This seems… festive.
— John Pavlovitz (@johnpavlovitz) April 26, 2019
The abject lack of joy and humanity is right on brand for the @GOP
Where are her child and husband?— Greg Proops (@GregProops) April 26, 2019
— Lauren Werner ? (@LaurenWern) April 26, 2019
Well, the right side has been tarnished pic.twitter.com/IEUNJWd7cr
— View from my Office (@viewfrommyoffic) April 26, 2019
What a lovely image of Melania with her faithful companion, an empty couch cushion.
— Lucas Barton (@OldSchoolGamer) April 26, 2019
She looks happy.
— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) April 26, 2019
At least this is a photo of the real Melania, not her stunt double.
— Anastasia Krupnik (@Shereste) April 26, 2019
seems she’s happier at funerals than her own birthday pic.twitter.com/bcoY2YAZHA
— Joanne Kaye (@NanskyK) April 26, 2019
To wish her a happy birthday, you posted a picture of the first lady looking miserable in a room full of people with their microphones and cameras pointed at someone else in the room? Classy ???
— Dana Goldberg (@DGComedy) April 26, 2019
Of all the photos of Melania you could’ve chosen, it’s the one where a gang of press is focusing on someone else while she depressingly looks at them pissed off.
— Patricia Lomden (@neverdisparage) April 26, 2019
Melanie pic.twitter.com/F7nrSpLl14
— iamdanny_boy?? (@DannyDanquah) April 26, 2019
What a happy celebration.
— Laura Walker ??? ??????? (@LauraWalkerKC) April 26, 2019
— Lauren Werner ? (@LaurenWern) April 26, 2019
This is the photo that the White House put out to honor her? I thought this was from @TheOnion or something when I saw it.
— ArtistLike (@Artistlike) April 26, 2019
What a cold, loveless photo! Who chose that one for a birthday greeting?
— Becky Johnson (@mom2valerin) April 26, 2019
Is that a crime scene? It looks like one. Those photographers look as if they came from the coroner’s office. Not even a Carvel cake for Melania? Presents? Decorations? That’s no party. Crime scene. And she’s the perp. Or maybe the corpse..
— Arabella Trefoil (@ArabellaTrefoil) April 26, 2019
What a depressing photo.
— Heather Hughson (@HNHughson) April 26, 2019
This is a birthday photo? Seriously? Is this some kind of sick Slovenian humour? An explanation would be appropriate, but this photo certainly isn’t.
— Glenn Jones (@Feintglow) April 26, 2019
This might be one of the weirdest birthday cards I’ve ever seen.
— Axl Foley (@wadepack) April 26, 2019
#BeBest pic.twitter.com/6IW53f2hdl
— Susan_McA (@CalliopeWords) April 26, 2019
I can’t find any tweet from Trump’s account wishing her a happy birthday.
— Kiri LaNice (@KiriLanice) April 27, 2019
President Trump did not wish his wife a happy birthday on his personal Twitter account.