Note: we are republishing this story, which originally made the news in November 2024.

Melania Trump’s latest public appearance with husband Donald Trump has sparked a fresh wave of speculation and controversy, with some internet users once again questioning her authenticity.

The former first lady, 54, accompanied the Republican presidential candidate to cast their votes in West Palm Beach, Florida, on November 5. While the couple’s trip to the Mandel Recreation Centre appeared routine, what caught the eye of many was Melania’s decision to keep her sunglasses on indoors — a move that quickly reignited the infamous “imposter Melania” conspiracy theories.

In the viral video, which has now garnered millions of views, Melania is seen standing quietly next to Donald Trump, wearing a black dress and dark sunglasses as they greeted supporters. The clip was widely shared on social media, with one post on X (formerly Twitter) racking up over 34 million views. “Melania has kept her sunglasses on indoors all day,” the caption stated, igniting a wave of speculation.

While Donald Trump donned his signature red MAGA hat, Melania’s outfit diverged from the usual patriotic colors, opting instead for a simple black dress paired with her shades. This, in turn, seemed to fuel the resurgence of the long-running rumors that the First Lady used a body double during public appearances — rumors that first gained traction during Donald Trump’s presidency.

The speculation was swift and unrelenting. “That’s a body double, not Melania,” one social media user commented, noting that the woman in the video didn’t smile the way Melania typically does. Another echoed the sentiment, simply stating, “That’s fake Melania.” Dozens of others joined the chorus, commenting “that’s not Melania” beneath the footage.

As the conspiracy theories spread, some users took to posting their own theories and even what they claimed was photographic proof of the supposed body double. “The Melania double looks awfully nervous,” one commenter observed, while another added, “I swear I’m not into the whole body double conspiracy thing, but like… that obviously isn’t Melania.”

However, the theories may have been premature. Other videos from the same day show Melania eventually removing her sunglasses while interacting with supporters, leaving some to question the authenticity of the claims.

Melania Trump, a Slovenian-born former model, married Donald Trump in 2005, and together they have a son, Barron Trump. While this latest incident has revived old conspiracy theories, it remains unclear whether the speculation will have any lasting impact on her public image. For now, it seems the mystery of the sunglasses will continue to fuel online debate.

Sources: Hindustan Times