Without First Lady Melania Trump at his side, daughter-in-law Lara Trump has stepped in to provide some MAGA glamour during President Donald Trump's trip to Beijing. Lara, 43, kicked off the trip by wearing polka dots to Tuesday's departure from the White House and again on Thursday, both from designer Alessandra Rich.
Arrival Ceremony and Temple of Heaven
She wore a white dress with dark polka dots to the grand arrival ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and subsequent tour of the Temple of Heaven, where she walked in lockstep with the President and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
State Banquet Ensemble
On Thursday night, Lara switched it up to a more ornate fitted floral dress with an Asian-style bodice from Hong Kong-based designer Sau Lee. The dress retails for $880.
Body Language Analysis
Body language expert Judi James told the Daily Mail that Lara, along with her husband Eric, 42, appeared to be channeling the British royals. 'Are Eric and Lara Trump's very own William and Kate?' James mused. She observed that the couple provided a 'rather elegant, regal, dynastic air to this visit.' They waited at the end of the line of US officials to greet Xi during the opening ceremony at the Great Hall. And they 'wafted into the state banquet before Trump and Xi to find themselves honored by the scraping of chairs as the other guests rose to their feet in a ritual of respect for their status,' she observed.
James said that Eric and Lara 'wore an air of upright elegance' as the banquet audience stood to welcome them, even if it had just been done in anticipation of Trump and Xi's arrival. The couple 'still appeared to soak the gesture up with graceful and grateful thanks,' she noted.
Other Aides and Fashion
Trump aides on the trip included the so-called 'human printer' Natalie Harp, 35, who was given the nickname for always hauling along a portable printer to deliver news clipping to the President. On Thursday night, the blonde aide glimmered in a gold gown for the state banquet. She's taken some heat this week, after the Wall Street Journal reported that Harp has frustrated some White House officials for posting what the President wants on his social media without giving other communications' aides or national security officials a heads up.
Ambassador Monica Crowley, 57, the Chief of Protocol, went for tasteful and classic, sporting a black dress and a long string of pearls to Thursday night's state banquet. Glamorous aide Margo Martin, 30, known for chronicling the President's moves on her social media accounts, is also on the trip but said she wouldn't be sharing content until the American delegation is wheels up, likely due to bugging risks.
With White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, 28, on maternity leave, her role is being partially filled by principal deputy press secretary Anna Kelly, 29, a former beauty queen. The red-haired Kelly was spotted at the arrival ceremony on Thursday sporting a professional black dress with button details and black heels. Harp chose a pink dress for the occasion, while Martin was wearing a sleeveless floral number.
Rubio's Fashion Moment
But the fashion moment that really had people talking happened before the US delegation even touched down Wednesday night. As Air Force One was flying to China on Tuesday, Communications Director Steven Cheung posted a picture of Secretary of State Marco Rubio. 'Secretary Rubio rocking the Nike Tech "Venezuela" on Air Force One!' Cheung wrote, adding a crying smiley face emoji. And Rubio was indeed twinning in the grey Nike sweatsuit made famous by Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, who was wearing the outfit during his January capture.
