The 'Fake Melania' theory is back in a big way
Everyone’s favourite conspiracy theory has reared its head once again after First Lady Melania Trump (allegedly) made an appearance in Normandy, France by her husband’s side.
Or so they would have you believe...
Online theorists are arguing that the woman by President Trump’s side is about as much Melania Trump as I am Oprah.
That is, not.
It is the return of ‘Fake Melania’ people.
Here’s what you need to know:
The latest development
The video behind the uproar shows First Lady Melania and President Trump visiting the the Normandy American Cemetery alongside French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte.
The video taken in early June shows the world leaders and their wives paying their respects to fallen American soldiers form the second World War.
READ MORE: Melania Trump criticised for leaving sunglasses on during D-Day
Online commentators however are pointing ou that ‘Melania’ is looking a little different - too different you might say.
President Trump, @FLOTUS Melania Trump, French President Macron, and First Lady of France Brigitte Macron walk through the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial on the 75th anniversary of D-Day. #DDay75thAnniversary https://t.co/IMMsm0nG24 pic.twitter.com/OaNHPKQ87l
— The Hill (@thehill) June 6, 2019
The video posted by political news site The Hill, shows the four walking through the cemetery while a high wind blows.
Carried on that wind, is a stench of deception according to some, who instantly jumped on the video, claiming the woman being filmed was a body double and not in fact Melania.
That’s the secret service agent posing as @FLOTUS
Anytime you see her wearing glasses it’s the body double. You can also notice how Trump is super handsy with her like never is with Melania.— NR_Garrett (@NR_Garrett) June 6, 2019
Reposting a different video from the same day, another user also spotted the ‘tell tale signs’.
That’s fake Melania, BTW. You can always tell by the sunglasses and wig combo (he hair is slightly diff than actual Melania), but she’s a little shorter than Melania. https://t.co/mckhlR3pRD
— Naima Cochrane (@naima) June 6, 2019
On a lighter note do you think this is fake Melania?🥴 pic.twitter.com/RW3zieMXK4
— julie b 🌿🌷🌿🌷 (@julhat) June 6, 2019
Side by side photos can be persuasive, even for the most anti-conspiracist among us.
The recent photos came from the European visit the First Lady undertook with her husband to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landing.
READ MORE: Melania Trump wears all-white ballgown for state banquet
The theory has its roots way back in 2017 when the first lady started sporting the thick black glasses that most theorists argue are used to hide her identity.
The theory
For the uninitiated the theory seems highly unusual, however pages and pages of the internet are dedicated to defining, redefining and explaining the unusual idea that Melania Trump is on occasion impersonated by another woman.
Some say this woman is an SS agent and the whole thing is an elaborate security manoeuvre.
There are images online suggesting the agent is hiding in plain sight at all times, and as one Twitter user points out has even been seen sporting the same ring.
Too weird for words. Are Melania and #FakeMelania even wearing the same ring? Do secret service agents generally wear such elaborate rings on the job? pic.twitter.com/Hm784nsBNn
— Cornelia (@PaladinCornelia) March 9, 2019
Others argue the first lady so hates her husband that she sometimes can’t bring herself to be seen in public with him.
The internet has gone so far as to identify images of ‘fake Melania’ and face check them with the above woman.
Hmmm. Makes one wonder. 🤔
#FakeMelania pic.twitter.com/pqomXez9N1— Cornelia (@PaladinCornelia) March 9, 2019
The theory first kicked off back in 2017, and was reignited when photos emerged of Melania in Alabama looking... different.
While generally the theory is a lighthearted online joke, there are those that take it deadly seriously.
READ MORE: Why President Trump and Melania didn't bow or curtsy to the Queen
The Fake News photoshopped pictures of Melania, then propelled conspiracy theories that it’s actually not her by my side in Alabama and other places. They are only getting more deranged with time!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 13, 2019
And just like that, you have now confirmed the body double theory. #webothagreethisisnotmelania pic.twitter.com/lEHjkWxdaE
— Denise Hawk (@DeniseLHawk) March 14, 2019
The President himself even responded to the rumours on Twitter, denouncing the theory as a leftist conspiracy.
This of course only fuelled the fire.
