Everyone’s favourite political conspiracy theory has resurfaced yet again — the claim that a “fake Melania” occasionally replaces the real First Lady.
If you’ve never come across it, the idea is simple: some conspiracy theorists insist that US President Donald Trump, 79, sometimes swaps out his wife Melania, 55, for a body double during public events.
The rumour pops up repeatedly whenever the couple appears together, with social media users scrutinising their behaviour, gestures, and even posture in search of supposed clues.
There’s no evidence to support the allegation, and Trump has previously dismissed it outright as “fake news.” Still, those who believe in the theory often point to oversized accessories or variations in Melania’s movements as “proof.”
Now, the speculation has flared up again after the couple returned to Washington, D.C., on 30 November following their Thanksgiving trip to Florida.
Video footage shows Trump exiting Marine One first, followed by Melania. The pair hold hands as they walk toward the White House while photographers capture the moment. But this time, it wasn’t their behaviour that fuelled the theory’s comeback — it was Melania’s outfit.
The First Lady wore a dark green trench coat, brown knee-high heeled boots, and an oversized pair of sunglasses and it was the last accessory that set social media alight.
People online couldn’t understand why she would be wearing sunglasses at night and quickly revived the “Melania double” rumours.
One user wrote:
“She’s a fake Melania — that’s why she has to wear dark glasses when it’s pitch black outside.”
Another chimed in:
“Her face looks different. Her body language is off. Melania doesn’t toss her hair like that.”
Others simply wrote: “Not Melania,” and “The Melania body double is wearing sunglasses at night.”
Another person declared:
“Fake Melania wearing sunglasses at night is the giveaway.”
Comments continued:
“Why is she wearing sunglasses?”
“That’s not the real Melania. That’s one of the substitutes.”
One user even admitted:
“I keep staring and wondering if that’s actually Melania or the fake Melania. I keep going back and forth.”
But Melania’s well-known love of sunglasses — even after dark — makes this far from unusual. And considering the flood of camera flashes surrounding her, the accessory isn’t entirely surprising.
Another user pointed this out, noting:
“There are tons of flashing lights — they look incredibly bright.”
Similar speculation arose earlier this year in September when the Trumps returned late at night from their state visit to the UK, and again last November when Melania was criticised for wearing sunglasses indoors.
