A clip of Melania Trump accepting a friendly kiss on the cheek from one of her husband's rivals has grabbed the internet's attention.

California governor Gavin Newsom greeted President Trump and his wife as they landed in California last week to meet with victims of the Los Angeles wildfires.

Moments after Trump and Newsom shared a cordial greeting on the tarmac, Newsom planted a kiss on Melania's cheek. The exchange became fresh fodder for speculation about tensions in the president's marriage.

Melania's greeting stokes speculation

Some contrasted the moment with Melania's alleged "dodge" of her husband's affection during his inauguration last week. Melania sported a striking, wide-brimmed hat at the event that some say blocked her husband's lips.

"Oh, now it makes sense. Melania wore the hat as a barrier to Trump's lips. Got it," one user wrote.

It's common in some countries, such as Melania's native Slovenia, to greet someone with a kiss on the cheek. Some saw Melania's exchange with Newsom as simply a polite gesture, while pointing to contextual differences between the two situations.

"The air kiss avoids smudging her meticulously applied makeup," one user speculated, writing about the "air kiss" Melania gave her husband at the inauguration.

"In high-profile events, maintaining a flawless appearance is crucial, and direct contact could disrupt her makeup, especially with the added complexity of her hat. Opting for an air kiss allowed her to preserve her look while still engaging in a public display of affection."

First Lady's sharp look

Trump and Newsom have had a love-hate relationship through the years. Trump blamed the Los Angeles wildfires on governor "Newscum" and his poor management of the state's natural resources.

Despite the renewed tensions between Trump and Newsom, they kept things cordial during Trump's visit to the state last week.

"I appreciate the Governor coming out and meeting me," Trump said.

“Thank you for being here..." Newsom said. "We're going to need your support. We're going to need your help... You were there for us during COVID. I don't forget that. And I have all the expectations that we'll be able to work together to get this speedy recovery.”

New confidence

Melania is returning to her role as First Lady with seemingly more confidence, and a more receptive public than her family found eight years ago.

Her sharp inaugural outfit - topped by a black boater hat that concealed her eyeline - provoked a strong public response as she joined her husband for his historic return to power last week.

"I thought she looked amazing, very polished, very pulled together," the hat's designer, Eric Javits, told CBS Mornings. "I think it reflected the formality of the occasion."