Presidential photo reignites popular First Lady conspiracy theory

At first glance it looks like an ordinary picture of Donald Trump and his wife. But many people are convinced it proves a wild theory.

Rumours of a “fake Melania” Trump have been swirling for months — and now a brand-new photo has reignited the wild speculation once again.

According to conspiracy theorists, the US First Lady regularly uses a body double to impersonate her at public occasions.

So-called “proof” of that theory is widely circulated on social media, with users pointing out discrepancies between “fake Melania” and the “real” Mrs Trump’s appearance.

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The latest “evidence” was taken during a presidential visit to Alabama, a state recently affected by tornadoes that killed 23 residents.

During the trip, US President Donald Trump and his wife paid a sombre visit to a victims’ memorial — a public outing covered by WSFA 12 News reporter Sally Pitts.

But when Ms Pitts shared a picture of the couple on Twitter, it didn’t take long for social media users to spot something unusual about Mrs Trump.

Will the real Melania please stand up?

The tweet has received thousands of likes, retweets and comments, with countless people pointing out the woman in the photo appears to have a different chin, height, hair part and cheek structure to the First Lady.

And many argued the couple being photographed holding hands was further proof of a body double, with the 48-year-old famously evading her husband’s attempts to hold her hand at many public events in the past.

President Trump viewing the 23 crosses representing the 23 tornado victims. pic.twitter.com/TgqkWOXLu9

— Sally Pitts (@SallyPitts_WSFA) March 8, 2019

Many also noted the mother-of-one’s body language appeared to be more open and relaxed than normal during her Alabama visit and her posture and even the way she walked were slightly off, adding more fuel to the fire.

1. The height difference
2. The chin
3. The hand holding
4. The walk
5. The posture
6. #FakeMelania

— ig - @johannariickard (@johannarickard2) March 9, 2019

In July 2018, the bizarre theory went into overdrive after the President and his wife were pictured stepping off Air Force One in Brussels ahead of a NATO summit.

Fake Melania is back y’all pic.twitter.com/EuaTpPkjPN

— James St. James (@JSJdarling) July 10, 2018

I swear that this looks like fake Melania. pic.twitter.com/nudfbyqMrJ

— Nurse Ratchett (@mycrankyboosez) July 11, 2018

In those photos, as well as others taken during the Brussels jaunt, Mrs Trump also looked drastically different.

That appearance came just months after Mrs Trump mysteriously disappeared from public view for several months after White House staff announced she was being treated for a kidney condition.

Her absence sparked endless rumours at the time, with some believing Mrs Trump’s illness was used as an excuse to cover up her moving back to Trump Tower in New York with 12-year-old son Barron or undergoing a facelift.

But the theory first went viral back in October 2017 after actor and comedian Andrea Wagner Barton posted the notion on Facebook.

Many who believe in the theory are convinced Mrs Trump’s body double is a secret service agent who has an uncanny resemblance to the First Lady — and the rumours have been fuelled further by Melania Trump’s penchant for sunglasses, clothing and accessories that often cover part of her face.

Melania's body double? pic.twitter.com/itBES20eLb

— Jarica Davis #TickTockTRAITORS⏰ #MoronTrump (@jaricadavis) September 14, 2017

But the First Lady isn’t the first celebrity to be accused of using a decoy.

In 2016, there were claims Hillary Clinton had been replaced by a body double and even a hologram after she collapsed at a 9/11 memorial service in New York with pneumonia.

And last year, some theorists claimed a bizarre video of Meghan Markle appearing to “glitch” was evidence the now Duchess of Sussex had been replaced by a robot.

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