An escalator snafu at the United Nations has sparked a dramatic exchange between President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania, with lipreaders revealing that Trump allegedly warned his wife she was in danger.
The incident unfolded during a recent UN General Assembly visit in New York, where cameras captured the couple stepping onto a suddenly halted escalator.
The moment, which appeared tense, was closely analyzed by two forensic lip readers.
Jeremy Freeman, an expert who has previously testified in court, said the heated gestures weren’t an argument between Trump and Melania, but a response to the escalator malfunction.
“From my interpretation, I don’t think Donald Trump was having a go at Melania Trump — but at the shenanigans at the UN,” Freeman said.
According to Freeman, Melania reportedly expressed concern about Trump’s actions. “Donald, look at me,” she allegedly said, while Trump’s response highlighted the perceived recklessness of the moment. “It was unbelievable. How can you do that?” he allegedly replied.
A second lip reader, Nicola Hickling, interpreted the exchange differently, suggesting Trump was alerting Melania to a real threat, Trending Politics reported.
“I can’t forgive them, they tried to hurt you,” he reportedly told her.
To which Melania allegedly replied, “We can’t do this, we should stay safe, you’re not safe.” Trump then responded, “They’re done. We must challenge them,” according to Hickling.
The scare has drawn attention not only for the unusual lipreading insights but also for the apparent quick thinking by both Trump and Melania.
Video footage shows the couple navigating the frozen escalator carefully while U.S. Secret Service agents guided them to safety. Trump later addressed the incident on social media, praising their ability to remain upright.
“It’s amazing that Melania and I didn’t fall forward onto the sharp edges of these steel steps, face-first,” he posted. “It was only that we were each holding the handrail tightly or, it would have been a disaster.”
Observers compared the episode to other high-profile security scares involving global leaders, such as the face-shoving moment with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife earlier this year.
While the cause of the UN escalator stoppage is still under speculation, reports suggest pranksters may have intentionally halted the stairway as a stunt to rattle Trump.
The incident has fueled speculation about the couple’s security and Trump’s response to potential threats.
Experts note that the president’s quick response and his concern for Melania’s safety highlight the high-pressure environment leaders face during international events.
As the story circulates online, social media users and news outlets continue to dissect the exchange, drawing attention to both the unusual circumstances and the lipreaders’ interpretations.
One thing is clear: the Trump family navigated a potentially dangerous situation with composure, and the president’s protective instincts toward the First Lady were on full display.
This escalator scare, minor in some eyes, has become a high-drama moment, offering a rare glimpse into the private reactions of one of the most public power couples in modern politics.
