President Biden, Wife Jill Continue To Show PDA At White House, Unlike Trump-Melania

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden continue to show frequent public displays of affection, a stark difference from the chilly interactions seen between their predecessors, Donald and Melania Trump.

Ever since Joe was sworn in as the new president on Jan. 20, the Bidens — who have been married for 43 years — have been seen sharing fleeting kisses and early morning strolls in the White House. The romantic gestures are part of the president’s self-proclaimed “tactile” style of communicating with the first lady.

Before dawn on Friday, Jill decorated the White House lawn with a new installation of oversized heart cutouts as a “surprise Valentine message to the country. The hearts bore the words “kindness,” “healing,” “compassion,” “courage” and “love.”

“As you may know, the first lady is known for her sense of humor, love of surprises, and celebrating traditions, especially with her family,” the first lady’s office said in a statement. “Valentine’s Day has always been one of her favorite holidays.”

The Bidens — along with their two German shepherds, Champ and Major — also took an unscheduled stroll around the North Lawn to see the Valentine’s Day installation. President Biden clutched his coffee cup and greeted his wife with a "Happy Valentine's" while chatting with a pool of reporters.

When reporters asked about the inspirations behind the new installations, the first lady said: "I just wanted some joy. With the pandemic — everybody's feeling a little down, so it's just a little joy, a little hope, that's all."

Reporters also asked the couple how to extend their love story to millions of Americans amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"Tell them, there is hope, there is hope, just have to stay strong," the president said.

Joe and Jill Biden’s displays of warmth are more pronounced in contrast to their predecessors. In August, former first lady Melania Trump was observed yanking her hand away from her husband while he was trying to escort her from their private plane.

Dr. Lara Brown, director of the Graduate School of Political Management at the George Washington University, described the Trumps’ relationship and presidency as “transactional.” She also praised the Bidens’ continuous public displays of affection and said these convey a different message from those expressed by the Trump administration.

“The Bidens want very much to help the country back from what I think the Trump administration continually conveyed, which was that relationships and all of the presidency is transactional rather than transformational,” Brown said.