First lady Melania Trump accompanied President Trump to Ohio on Monday, but it appears she rebuffed his attempts to hold her hand as they approached a helicopter.

First lady Melania Trump accompanied President Trump to Ohio on Monday, but it appears she rebuffed his attempts to hold her hand as they approached a helicopter.  Video captured by NBC News shows Melania wearing a long yellow coat draped over her shoulders and apparently using it as a shield against the president's hand-holding efforts. He gives up, but not long after he puts his hand on Melania's back and then around her shoulders.
Twitter users had some thoughts about the awkward moment.  One commented, "I have realized that Melania wears her coats draped over her shoulders because it makes it impossible for Donald to hold her hand," and another noted, "Melania simply doesn't want to hold this man's hand (who can blame her). It's clear and obvious and not the first time."  Indeed, it is not. When the couple emerged from Air Force One in Tel Aviv, Melania seemingly swatted the president's hand away, and in Rome she appeared to avoid hand-holding by reaching up to fix her hair. Nonetheless, this time around, the simple fact that she was with President Trump is notable. Not long after the Wall Street Journal reported of his alleged affair with adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016, the first lady appeared to be keeping her distance. Shortly after the news surfaced, the first lady's spokesperson, Stephanie Grisham, said on January 23 that her trip to Davos, Switzerland with the president was canceled due to "scheduling and logistical issues."