Viewers baffled by Donald Trump's failed attempt to kiss wife Melania during inauguration

Viewers have been left baffled by Donald Trump’s failed attempt to kiss his wife, Melania, during his inauguration.

The US president has been sworn into office today (20 January) as celebrities, former presidents, cabinet nominees and others gather at the ceremony in Washington.

Trump is of course joined by his wife and family and they awaited him as he was welcomed into the hall of the Capitol Rotunda.

And when he approached, he leaned in to give Melania kiss on her cheek, except he didn’t quite make it. Now, it could be that the pair were simply doing a chic air kiss.

But it looked more like Melania’s hat simply shielded her from her husband’s lips.

Air kiss only? (Saul Loeb-Pool/Getty Images)

Trump went on to shake the hand of outgoing president Joe Biden, but viewers were completely distracted by the baffling kiss attempt.

“Was that a fake kiss?” one wrote on X, as others who had already been confused by the new first lady’s wide-rimmed black hat wrote: “Oh, now it makes sense. Melania wore the hat as a barrier to Trump’s lips. Got it.”

Another simply shared the clip and wrote: “CAN’T THIS IS TOO FUNNY.”

Many agreed she’s ‘so mother’ as they reckon the ‘hat was intentional’.

“Got booped by that fashion set up,” one joked.

Another wrote: “What a bizarre moment, and Trump’s face after….”

"All time moment there with Trump trying to give Melania a kiss on cheek without hitting her hat," a third joked.

Others simply said Trump knows ‘she don’t want her makeup smeared’ by him kissing her while some simply nicknamed the hat a ‘Trump shield’.

Some simply said he should have just ‘kissed her hand’ instead, while there are people saying Melania has dressed for a ‘funeral’ rather than Inauguration Day as she returns to the first lady title.

Melania and her hat or 'shield'? ( Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Before being baffled by the air kiss, viewers were asking a big question when Barack Obama entered the hall.

Many noticed that Michelle Obama was not present when her husband arrived at the inauguration.

Quickly taking to X, many wondered where she was, as one user said: "Where is Michelle Obama?"

Another added: "Dear Obama, where is Michelle?" while a third posted: "Where has Michelle Obama been."

And a fourth suggested: "Michelle Obama has been MIA for a while."

The last comment comes after the fact that Barack Obama's wife was also absent from former US President Jimmy Carter's funeral earlier this month. While many have theorised on her absence from the political events, an official reason has not yet been given.

An official statement from the Obama's office read: “Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration.”