The footage shows Melania standing beside Trump and smiling while greeting Putin. With the pleasantries out of the way, she steps back and surveys the room.
OMG I was looking for this all day - they finally just showed it on MSNBC Watch her face!! pic.twitter.com/nBSEKshhlJ
Some would describe her facial expression at this point as neutral. Others, perhaps seeing what they want to be true, say it betrays a sense of existential horror.
On social media, the clip drew comparisons to a similar reaction Ms Trump had to her husband's inauguration.
She was filmed beaming at the newly elected president as he showered in the applause of the crowd at his inauguration ceremony in January 2017.
"She looks like she just stared into the eyes of evil," one user said of the clip with Mr Putin.
"The only one in the room who understands how dangerous this man actually is," said Aaron McCord.
THE SERIOUS STUFF
The video emerged as Trump pulled another astonishing U-turn from his remarks at the meeting with Putin.
Speaking to CBS News today, he said he did consider Mr Putin personally responsible for Russian meddling in the 2016 US election.
"Just like I consider myself to be responsible for things that happen in this country. So certainly as the leader of a country you would have to hold him responsible, yes," the president said.
Trump said he told Putin the United States will not tolerate any further interference.
US First Lady Melania Trump, left, Russian President Vladimir Putin, centre, and US President Donald Trump, pose with a football after a press conference. Photo / AP
"I let him know we can't have this. We're not going to have it and that's the way it's going to be," he said.
The interview followed days of shifting, contradictory statements, which started at Trump's joint press conference with Putin in Helsinki, where he implied he believed the Russian president's denials over the conclusions of his own intelligence agencies.
Reinforcing Trump's backflip today was FBI director Christopher Wray.
"The IC's community's assessment has not changed - my view has not changed - which is Russia attempted to interfere in the last election and it continues to engage in malign influence... to this day," Wray said.
Watch Melania's face and body language after shaking Putin's hand. She is scared to death of him.pic.twitter.com/4tEj7rXuLl
— KT Counter Intelligence (@KremlinTrolls) July 18, 2018
Meanwhile, Trump defended his performance in Helsinki, saying he "got along well" with Putin.
Trump said his critics "would rather go to war" than see him have a good relationship with Russia.
He made no mention of having walked back comments from the press conference.
So many people at the higher ends of intelligence loved my press conference performance in Helsinki. Putin and I discussed many important subjects at our earlier meeting. We got along well which truly bothered many haters who wanted to see a boxing match. Big results will come!
