Full Breakdown
Trump’s Apparent Butt Grab During King Charles’s White House Visit Fuels Controversy
5/2/2026, 2:55:31 AM
Core Event: Photo Shows Trump’s Hand Move on Melania Amid Royal Greeting
On Tuesday, as King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived at the White House, President Donald Trump shook the monarch’s hand, then placed his hand on First Lady Melania Trump’s back. A subsequent slide of the hand down her back and a brief squeeze of her buttocks was captured by Associated Press photographer Jacquelyn Martin. CBS News senior White House reporter Jennifer Jacobs posted a behind-the-scenes snapshot of the image, noting the gesture occurred moments after the presidential handshake and before Trump gave Melania a second pat on the waist and resumed shaking the king’s hand.
Background & Context: State Visit and Diplomatic Agenda
The three-day state visit is intended to underscore the “bond between the United Kingdom and the United States.” The royal couple were welcomed on the South Lawn, participated in a military review, and later joined Trump for a rendition of the national anthem. A closed-door Oval Office meeting followed, and King Charles is slated to address the U.S. Congress—the first monarch to do so since 1991. The itinerary also includes a stop in New York at the 9/11 Memorial, a creative-industries reception, and a final farewell in Washington before the royals travel to Bermuda.
Key Figures & Groups
- Donald Trump – President of the United States.
- Melania Trump – First Lady of the United States.
- King Charles III – Monarch of the United Kingdom.
- Queen Camilla – Consort of King Charles III.
- Jennifer Jacobs – CBS News senior White House reporter who shared the photo.
- Jacquelyn Martin – AP photographer who captured the original image.
- Buckingham Palace – Issued the official statement confirming the visit’s continuation.
Official Statements & Responses
Buckingham Palace released a statement after the incident, confirming that “the State Visit … will proceed as planned” and adding, “The King and Queen are most grateful to all those who have worked at pace to ensure this remains the case and are looking forward to the visit getting under way tomorrow.” No comment from the White House or the Trump administration was provided in the source material.
Criticism & Opposition
Media commentary described the gesture as “inappropriate” and noted that Trump had been “slammed for a ‘disrespectful’ gesture to Queen Camilla” just a day earlier. Observers linked the incident to broader concerns about the president’s “erratic behavior,” citing a recent “disturbing sex comment” made on stage that “stunned his audience.” Additionally, Trump’s strained relationship with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was highlighted, with the president remarking, “This is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with.”
On-the-Ground Reports
Lip-reader Nicola Hickling claimed to have captured Queen Camilla’s cheeky remark, “We shall have soggy bottoms,” to which Melania responded, “Soggy bottom?” The CBS-shared snapshot and the AP photo constitute the primary visual evidence of the hand movement.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The description of the butt-grab relies on a single photographic frame and the interpretation of reporters; no official verification from the White House exists. Consequently, the exact intent and duration of the gesture remain unconfirmed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Trump patted the first lady on the tooshie during arrival ceremony for king and queen. My photo of AP's Jacquelyn Martin's capture of the moment,” — Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News senior White House reporter.
- “We shall have soggy bottoms.” — Queen Camilla.
- “Soggy bottom?” — Melania Trump.
- “This is not Winston Churchill that we're dealing with.” — Donald Trump.
- “stand as a testimony to our nation's shared history and shining future.” — King Charles III (remarks on the visit).
What’s Next: Continuing the State Visit
The royals will travel to New York to honor the 9/11 Memorial, meet first responders, and attend a creative-industries reception before returning to Washington for a formal farewell. Despite a recent shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, the Palace affirmed that the itinerary will proceed unchanged.
