Topics: Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Politics, Social Media
Donald Trump was caught out during multiple private exchanges at his inauguration thanks to lip reading, but one doctor has noted a 'worrying' danger of doing so.
Many viral moments were born as a result of Trump's inauguration - which was attended by a number of celebrities - earlier this week (20 January), including his failed kiss with Melania, and giving his 'very tall' son, Barron, the spotlight.
While many conversations and announcements were made for public consumption, there were also a lot of private remarks made during the ceremony and the events following it.
But thanks to the power of lip reading, experts have been able to work out exactly what the president, and the people around him, were saying throughout the day.
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Licensed lip-reader Jeremy Freeman analysed conversations that were had by the president on the day he was sworn into office.
And while the Bishop of Washington historically begged both Trump and his vice president JD Vance to 'have mercy' on the LGBTQ+ community during their term, the president couldn't help but make a derogatory remark.
The expert believes the president told his VP: "Can you believe it? ... Vile."
He also closely studied a conversation between Melania and her husband while they danced together onstage.
"Today is one we will never forget," the first lady reportedly said to her husband, prompting him to reply: "You’re right there, I’ll learn I’ll fight."
According to Jeremy, Melania then assured: "I got you."
"We’ll see," Trump is said to have responded, adding: "Will you control it, unless it's tricky less pushing away."
"It's a no," Melania said while Trump assured: "I hear you."
"I waited for him until half an hour ago," Melania added. "But we can smile still."
However, some people argue that despite being able to relay these conversations - is it really the right thing to do?
If a conversation or remark was made with the intent for it to be private, should the nature of the conversation stay that way?
Dr Coleman, who is a doctor of ethics, has since spoken out about 'gossip', and whether it is an 'inherently' bad thing.
Speaking to Refinery29 Australia, she said: "Gossip is a form of news, and you do want to be careful about what you gossip about and you should be."
However, the expert added: "But we also don’t have to think of it as inherently evil.
"The idea of broadcasting (gossip) in order to make a moral point is putting people in the context of surveillance culture, and it’s surveillance culture where people are consistently making moralistic judgements about each other and it becomes very puritanical."
Coleman also warned about how we can facilitate gossip more freely in the 21st century, with the use of social media - something she has warned about.
"It is worrying that people use social media in this way," she noted.
