In 2017, a conspiracy theory began that then-First Lady of the United States Melania Trump was replaced, or was sometimes replaced, by a body double,[1][2][3] and that the "real" Melania was either dead, refusing to attend occasional events, or had exited from public life entirely. Supporters of the theory allege physical differences in facial features, bodily dimensions, or behavior between the original and supposed "replacement" Melania, and changes in President Donald Trump's language in referring to Melania.
Theories arose at several periods during Trump's presidency, particularly in October 2017,[1][4][5][6][7] May-June 2018,[8][9] March 2019,[3][10][11] and October 2020.[12] Trump himself addressed the theory through tweets and in comments to reporters, denouncing it as false and "fake news".[13]
A number of mainstream media sources labelled the theory false, with some labelling it "a ridiculous conspiracy theory"[4] and "a non-story".[1] Vox described the theory as conforming to various narratives surrounding the First Lady, which "[paint] Melania as either unwilling to be part of the administration or as someone who hates her husband so much that she’s found a body double to stand in".[14]
- ^ a b c "White House: Melania body double a non-story". CNN. October 19, 2017. Archived from the original on October 20, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
- ^ "Is Donald Trump using a fake Melania? Conspiracy theories flood social media". BBC. October 19, 2017. Archived from the original on October 19, 2017. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- ^ a b Bruney, Gabrielle (March 9, 2019). "The 'Fake Melania' Conspiracy Theory is Back". Esquire. Archived from the original on March 13, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
- ^ a b Taylor, Kate (October 18, 2017). "The internet is going crazy over a ridiculous conspiracy theory that Melania Trump has been replaced by a body double". Business Insider. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
- ^ Colburn, Randall (October 18, 2017). "Hot new conspiracy theory: Melania Trump has been replaced by a body double". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on October 19, 2017. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
- ^ "There's a conspiracy theory that Melania Trump has been replaced by a robot". Evening Standard. October 19, 2017. Archived from the original on October 19, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
- ^ Hyde, Marina (October 19, 2017). "Who started the 'Melania Trump body double' conspiracy theory? Look no further". Guardian. Archived from the original on October 19, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
- ^ Hale-Stern, Kaila (June 4, 2018). "Why People Are Freaking out About Melania Trump Being "Missing"". TheMarySue. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
- ^ Heil, Emily (May 5, 2018). "Trump says the first lady is 'doing great.' She hasn't been seen in public for two weeks". Washington Post. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
- ^ "'Fake Melania' conspiracy theory about body double is 'deranged' says Trump". South China Morning Post. March 14, 2019. Archived from the original on March 13, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
- ^ "Does Melania Trump have a body double?". Fox News. March 28, 2019. Archived from the original on March 14, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
- ^ "'Fake Melania' conspiracy theory re-emerges as photo goes viral". Metro. 2020-10-25. Archived from the original on 2020-10-31. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
- ^ "No body double: Trump blasts #FakeMelania theories". AP NEWS. March 13, 2019. Archived from the original on March 13, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
- ^ Abad-Santos, Alex (October 20, 2017). "The "Fake Melania" conspiracy theory, explained". Vox. Archived from the original on December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2019.