Melania Trump is once again the subject of a conspiracy theory. Credit: Marco Ravagli/Future Publishing via Getty Images
Melania Trump’s latest public appearance reignited a long-standing conspiracy theory.
She appeared with husband and former President Donald Trump at Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome on Saturday.
Melania wore a somber black blazer dress and veil while paying her respects to the late pontiff.
Despite the dignified setting, online speculation quickly spiraled.
Some users insisted the woman next to Trump was not the real Melania, pointing to discrepancies in her appearance.
This isn’t the first time Melania has faced body double accusations.
Social media users again questioned whether someone impersonated the former First Lady at major events.
“Holy smokes! Where is Melania? No one’s fooled by the body double beside Trump,” one user exclaimed on X.
“This one is finally revealed as the fake Melania. Look at those eyes and cheekbones.”
Another user asked, “Am I crazy or is this a fake Melania?”
One X user tweeted: “It’s not her, it’s her body double. That’s why she’s holding hands.
The real Melania doesn’t touch him. I’m surprised she isn’t wearing sunglasses today. Usually, the doubles have to because their eyes are different.”
The rumors gained traction, with some suggesting the body double theory highlights deeper issues in the Trumps’ marriage.
One person claimed: “They keep trotting out a fake Melania to maintain the illusion they’re happily married.”
“They’re estranged, she can’t stand him, and it’s all a financial arrangement,” the user told Mirror US.
There remains no concrete evidence supporting claims that Melania Trump uses a body double.
Adding to the speculation, a video showed Donald and Melania heading to Rome, captioned: “Another look at Fake Melania, cosplaying as the First Lady fooling Americans.”
Hours before the funeral, Donald Trump was seen beside Melania, dressed in a trench coat and sunglasses, fueling more rumors online.
The couple joined world leaders in St. Peter’s Square to honor Pope Francis.
Prince William represented the British Royal Family, while other prominent attendees included French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian President Sergio Mattarella.
Royal figures like King Felipe VI of Spain and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also attended.
Despite the Pope’s request for a restrained funeral, mourners from across the globe gathered in large numbers.
Following the funeral, cardinals will convene in 15 to 20 days to choose a successor in a conclave after Pope Francis’ sudden death from a stroke, just one day after blessing crowds in St. Peter’s Square.
A Rumor With a History
This isn’t the first time rumors about Melania Trump using a body double have surged.
Earlier this year, similar accusations flooded social media during Donald Trump’s second inauguration ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda.
Dressed in black-and-white and wearing a wide-brimmed hat indoors, Melania’s appearance sparked new claims that a double was standing in for her.
One user posted, “I’m not a big conspiracy theory guy, but that’s a Melania body double, right?”
Another wrote, “It’s the Melania body double wearing a wide-brim hat that covers her face for me.”
A third added, “That’s not even really Melania, it’s a body double.”
Some joked about the ongoing rumors, with one comment saying, “Honestly, this is exactly what I would wear if there were rumors that I was being replaced by a body double at important events.”
Similar theories circulated during Melania’s first term as First Lady, including on Election Night.
Former communications chief Stephanie Grisham addressed these theories, telling CNN, “Once again, we find ourselves consumed with a ridiculous non-story when we could be talking about the work the First Lady is doing for children.”
Melania herself commented on public perceptions in a recent interview with Fox & Friends, saying, “I feel I was always me the first time as well. People maybe didn’t accept me. Some see me as just a wife of the president, but I stand on my own two feet. Independent. I have my own thoughts, my own ‘yes’ and ‘no.’”
She also revealed that political discussions with her husband aren’t always in sync. “I gave him my advice, and sometimes he listens. Sometimes he doesn’t, and that’s OK,” she said.
Despite repeated denials, the “Fake Melania” theory keeps resurfacing during public events, with her appearance at Pope Francis’ funeral reigniting the conversation.
