Does Melania Trump have a body double? Netizens spark new frenzy over conspiracy theory amid bizarre appearance at Pope’s funeral

Just when it seemed like conspiracy theories had taken a backseat, the "Fake Melania" saga is back — and louder than ever. On April 25, a simple video of Donald and Melania Trump walking to a helicopter sent the internet into a tailspin, with eagle-eyed viewers claiming that the woman by Trump’s side was not Melania at all, but a body double.

The clip, posted by a user on X (formerly Twitter) with the teasing caption, "What do you notice about the way Trump and Melania just walked to the helicopter today?" reignited the old flames of speculation. Observers immediately seized on minute details: flat shoes, an "off-the-rack" coat, and a manner of walking deemed uncharacteristic of the glamorous former First Lady.

"Melania never wears flat shoes," one user insisted. Another simply declared: "Fake Melania." Some even alleged that the woman attending Pope Francis' funeral on April 26 under a black veil was yet another stand-in, citing the convenient face covering as "proof" that the real Melania was absent.

Origins of the "Fake Melania" Conspiracy

This peculiar theory first gained traction in 2017, shortly after Donald Trump assumed office. It suggested that Melania Trump either refused to make certain public appearances, had retreated from public life, or had even met a grimmer fate — and that a lookalike was hired to take her place.

While its exact genesis remains debated, The Guardian columnist Marina Hyde inadvertently amplified the theory in October 2017 by tweeting, "Absolutely convinced Melania is being played by a Melania impersonator these days." Around the same time, actress Andrea Wagner Barton's Facebook post speculating about a Melania double went viral, being shared nearly 100,000 times.

Supporters of the theory point to subtle discrepancies — variations in Melania’s facial features, body dimensions, and even behavior — to argue that something was amiss. Fueling the fire was a bizarre moment when President Trump, standing next to his wife, awkwardly said: "My wife, Melania, who happens to be right here," prompting many to raise eyebrows at his oddly specific phrasing.

Medical Absences and More Suspicion

The theory only deepened in May 2018 when Melania underwent a kidney embolization procedure and remained out of the public eye for five weeks. The White House’s reluctance to explain her prolonged absence provided a fertile breeding ground for rumors. Trump’s claim that Melania was "watching [reporters] from a window," while pointing to an empty spot, did little to quell the frenzy.

Upon her return, when Trump famously tweeted "Welcome back, Melanie!" — a glaring misspelling of his wife's name — theorists took it as another "clue" that all was not as it seemed.

Speculation was further fueled during various public events throughout Trump's presidency — notably during a 2018 visit to Brussels, a 2019 tornado site tour in Alabama, and again during the 2020 presidential debates. Even Trump's allies seemed to play along; former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci once suggested that sometimes it was Melania’s sister who appeared with Trump instead.

Experts and Critics Weigh In

Despite its longevity, the "Fake Melania" theory has been widely discredited by mainstream media, with outlets dismissing it as "ridiculous" and "a non-story." Vox noted that such theories mirror a broader narrative casting Melania as reluctant or even rebellious against her husband's presidency, feeding into public fascination with her enigmatic persona.

University of Pennsylvania historian Sophia Rosenfeld placed the theory in a larger historical context, likening it to centuries-old libels against prominent women, such as the salacious myths surrounding Marie Antoinette before the French Revolution. According to Rosenfeld, the "Fake Melania" narrative is simply a modern reincarnation of old societal tendencies to craft sensational, scandalous fictions about high-profile women.

Trump's Denials

Donald Trump himself has repeatedly dismissed the theory, calling it "fake news" and even accusing media outlets of photoshopping images of Melania to fuel conspiracy narratives. The First Lady’s spokesperson condemned the speculation aired on shows like The View as "shameful" and "beyond petty."

Still, in an age where visual minutiae can birth global conspiracies within hours, "Fake Melania" endures — if only because the real Melania remains so effortlessly inscrutable.

With the 2024 elections having just passed, and Trump reclaiming the presidency, one thing seems certain: as long as Melania Trump stays in the public eye, so too will the enduring mystery of whether she is truly standing there — or if somewhere, somehow, a double has taken her place.