Melania Trump’s outfit for President Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20 created a significant buzz online, with reactions ranging from admiration to mockery and even the resurgence of long-standing conspiracy theories about her alleged body double.
Melania, known for her fashion-forward choices, attended the swearing-in ceremony wearing a sleek ensemble by independent New York designer Adam Lippes, paired with a dramatic wide-brimmed hat by Eric Javits, according to BBC. The 54-year-old former First Lady’s outfit drew both praise for its elegance and humorous comparisons to pop culture figures.
Some social media users likened her look to the McDonald’s character, the Hamburglar, while others lauded her as a style icon. The oversized hat, which shadowed her forehead and partially obscured her eyes, quickly became the centerpiece of the conversation. It even found its way into a lighthearted joke by President Trump during his address to the crowd, per The Mirror.
“The wind is blowing like crazy. And with the hat that she’s wearing, she almost blew away,” Trump quipped. “We almost lost her. She was being elevated off the ground, she almost blew away now. So we all appreciated this. You’ve been a great First Lady,” he added, as reported by The New York Post.
However, alongside the humor and fashion commentary, conspiracy theories about Melania being replaced by a body double resurfaced, fueled by her outfit and hat. The body double theory, which first emerged in 2017, speculates that a stand-in often attends public events in Melania’s place. Social media users claimed that the First Lady’s distinctive hat was strategically positioned to conceal her face.
One user declared, “Stylish! If it was only really Melania under that hat. Think it was a Secret Service body double. She never had that hat move from the tilted position, so people couldn’t see ‘her.’ Earlobes and jawlines are different. Trump same size. But the true Melania was at the inaugural balls!”
The theory gained additional traction due to similar claims made during the Trumps’ visit to cast their votes in Palm Beach, Florida, on November 5, 2024, when viral posts alleged a body double accompanied the former president.
Despite the conspiracy chatter, Melania’s Inauguration Day ensemble captured the spotlight, with her bold fashion statement leaving a lasting impression while reigniting the internet’s fascination with her public appearances.