Melania Trump’s latest public appearance has reignited a long-standing conspiracy theory.
Appearing alongside husband and POTUS Donald Trump at Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome on Saturday, Melania was seen wearing 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 supposed discrepancies in her appearance.
This certainly isn't the first time Melania has been accused of using a body double, with social media users once again questioning whether the former First Lady is being impersonated at major events.
"Holy smokes! ! Where is Melania? ? No one's fooled by the body double beside Trump. This one is finally revealed as the fake Melania. Look at those un-sunglassed eyes: overly made up, not Melania's eyes or cheekbones," one user exclaimed on X (formerly Twitter).
Another asked: "Am I crazy or is this a fake Melania?"
One X user brazenly tweeted: "It's not her, it's her body double. That's why she's actually holding hands. The real Melania doesn't touch him, and I'm surprised she doesn't have sunglasses on today. Usually the doubles have to because their eyes are different."
The rumors gained further traction, with some users suggesting the body double theory reflects deeper issues in the Trumps' marriage. One person claimed: "There's an obviously fake version of Melania that they keep trotting out to extend the illusion of the Trumps happily married + her engaged in his Presidency when they're estranged, she can't stand him + it's all a financial arrangement," according to Mirror US.
There remains no concrete evidence to support claims that Melania Trump uses a body double.
Adding to the speculation, a video was shared on social media showing Donald and Melania heading to Rome, captioned with the controversial statement: "Another look at Fake Melania, cosplaying as the First Lady fooling Americans." Hours before the funeral, Donald Trump was seen next to Melania, dressed in a trench coat and sunglasses, intensifying rumors among certain online circles.
The couple joined world leaders who gathered in St. Peter's Square to honor Pope Francis.
Prince William represented the British Royal Family, and other prominent attendees French President Emmanuel Macron, and Italian President Sergio Mattarella, alongside royal figures like King Felipe VI of Spain. 2 International organization leaders such as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also attended.
Despite the Pope’s request for restrained funeral arrangements, mourners from across the globe turned out in vast numbers.
Following the funeral, cardinals are expected to convene within the next 15 to 20 days to choose a successor in a conclave, after Pope Francis' sudden death following a stroke just one day after blessing crowds in St. Peter's Square.
A Rumor With a History
This is not the first time conspiracy theories about Melania Trump using a body double have surged online. Earlier this year, during Donald Trump's second inauguration ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda, similar accusations flooded social media.
Dressed in a black-and-white outfit and wearing a wide-brimmed hat even indoors, Melania’s appearance sparked renewed 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," while a third added, "That’s not even really Melania it’s a body double."
Some joked about the ongoing rumors, with one comment reading, "Honestly this is exactly what I would wear if there were rampant rumors that I was being replaced by a body double at important events."
During her first term as First Lady, similar theories circulated, including during Election Night events. Former communications chief Stephanie Grisham previously 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 on behalf of children.”
Melania herself has commented on public perceptions. In a recent interview with Fox & Friends, she said, “I feel I was always me the first time as well. I just feel that people didn’t accept me maybe. Maybe some people, they see me as just a wife of the president, but I’m standing on my own two feet. Independent. I have my own thoughts, I have my own ‘yes’ and ‘no.’”
She also revealed that political discussions with her husband are not always in lockstep. “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 continues to resurface during public events — and her appearance at Pope Francis’ funeral has only reignited the conversation.