‘Fake First Lady?’ Fans Speculate as Melania Trump’s Kennedy Center Look Fuels Theories

Eagle-eyed observers on social media believe that Melania Trump's body double stood in her place during her latest appearance with President Donald Trump at the Kennedy Center.

On Tuesday, March 31st, the President and Melania arrived at the Trump Kennedy Center for the opening of the satirical jazz-age musical Chicago. While the crowd had a divided reaction to the First Couple, viewers on social media were more focused on Melania's demeanor, who flashed an eager smile, leading netizens to theorize that a body double had appeared in her place.

Videos of Melania and the President taking their seats during the opening of Chicago at the Opera House circulated widely on social media. Melania, 55, was seen wearing a white frilly dress as she beamed beside Trump, 79. They received a divided response from the audience: critics booed, while supporters applauded.

Observers on social media noted that the First Lady's smile seemed uncharacteristic, given that she is usually seen maintaining a more cold, stoic demeanor during public appearances.

"You see the gal that looks like Melania. It is the double. When have we ever seen a smile like that from the real Melania? Never," wrote one user, according to The Irish Star. "Wow. Is that Trump with a Melania body double? Hasn't Trump torn down the Kennedy Center yet? Wasn't he supposed to turn it into a Costco and Casino? Where are the Epstein files and who pushed Trumplef--k into starting a war. Netanyahu or the Arabs?" another person reportedly commented.

Tuesday night was not the first time the "Melania Trump's body double" theory had floated online. The beginning of this speculation is usually traced back to 2017, when Marina Hyde wrote a column in the Guardian quipping that she was "absolutely convinced Melania is being played by a Melania impersonator these days," suggesting that "she left him weeks ago."

Over the years, online users and conspiracy theorists have claimed on several occasions that the First Lady's body double has substituted for her during public appearances. Just last month, the theory reignited yet again when Melania wore sunglasses after dark, prompting many to believe that her imposter was concealing her identity. A similar debate sparked online in February when she wore her shades in the dark.

Skeptics do not buy into the narrative, but believers point out alleged discrepancies in Melania's demeanor and appearance, such as a different hand gesture or an unfamiliar earlobe curve.

As of now, there is no corroborating evidence that Melania Trump was swapped with her body double during her latest appearance at the Kennedy Center. The White House has not addressed these claims yet.

Meanwhile, the Chicago premiere might have been the last time Trump and Melania appeared together at the Kennedy Center before the POTUS shuts down the performing arts venue in July for two years for renovations. They last appeared together in January, when they attended the screening of the First Lady's eponymous documentary, Melania.