Prone to distraction as it is, Twitter was briefly consumed on Wednesday by the conspiracy theory that Melania Trump used a body double at a press conference with her husband last week.
The theory was originated by user @JoeVargas, who shared a CNN clip in which the first lady appeared alongside Donald Trump as the president discussed the situation in Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria. Trump is seen wearing a trench coat, with her face hidden by large sunglasses and cast in shadow for much of the interview.
“This is not Melania,” he wrote. “To think they would go this far & try & make us think its her on TV is mind blowing. Makes me wonder what else is a lie.”
Other photos and video taken the day of the press conference show that the person behind the sunglasses really is Trump, but that didn’t stop social media users from having some fun with the theory that the First Lady employs a body double.
“If you do not choose to believe in the existence of fake Melania I encourage you to find more room in your heart for joy and whimsy today,” The Toast co-founder Nicole Cliffe wrote in a tweet.
See some of the best jokes below:
https://twitter.com/JoeVargas/status/920507354403233793
It is I, the real Melania, reporting for duty. pic.twitter.com/6NBMSF7TVV
— Kashana (@kashanacauley) October 18, 2017
Can't believe the White House killed off the original Melania and replaced her with Leah Remini.
— Joel Kim Booster (@ihatejoelkim) October 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/pattymo/status/920730181647716355
fake melania is mf doom
— ghetto fragile. (@Mike_Eagle) October 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/ira/status/920763086721531904
well this is embarrassing, i looked up & melania has apparently been here this whole time pic.twitter.com/IEZOLmq7nR
— Aparna Nancherla (@aparnapkin) October 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/midwestspitfire/status/920758406050340864
Fake Melania Trump leaving the press conference after securing the bag pic.twitter.com/SYsYUnH2Cn
— X (@XLNB) October 18, 2017
Just imagine, getting up in the morning, getting ready to go to work as Melania’s double. pic.twitter.com/AHe5eihWBY
— Montague Egg (@MZGunter) October 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/ashcech/status/920701469992587266
https://twitter.com/pamnonga/status/920710974377574401
https://twitter.com/Nicole_Cliffe/status/920727651643482113