Expert reveals why Melania Trump wears sunglasses as body-double rumors resurface

WASHINGTON, DC: First lady Melania Trump once again found herself at the center of an online frenzy after stepping off Marine One wearing oversized dark sunglasses despite the late hour.

The renewed speculation comes after years of commentary surrounding the FLOTUS’ accessory choices, which consistently attract scrutiny regardless of setting, occasion, or weather.

Although online observers framed the night-time sunglasses as “proof” that something was amiss, fashion experts and psychologists have long argued that Melania’s eyewear habits are rooted in personal comfort and emotional boundaries rather than mystery.

Melania Trump’s sunglasses reignite long-running body double rumors

For years, Melania Trump has been regularly criticized for wearing sunglasses at public appearances.

Images of her arriving in near–pitch-black conditions have led critics and conspiracy theorists to revive long-running claims that a body double occasionally replaces her at public events, a narrative that resurfaces whenever she opts for heavy shades or wide-brimmed hats.

During the 75th D-Day commemoration in Normandy in 2019, critics labeled her “rude” for keeping her sunglasses on during parts of the ceremony, despite no public explanation for the choice at the time.

This persistent scrutiny ultimately helped fuel a fringe conspiracy theory claiming Melania had been replaced by a “stand-in,” a storyline that reappears whenever she is photographed wearing large sunglasses, hats, or other face-covering accessories. 

The theory, which suggests the former model has withdrawn from public life, has never been supported by any credible sources, yet social media continues to recycle it whenever she appears less animated or more concealed by her fashion choices.

What's really behind Melania Trump's sunglasses

Fashion psychologist Dawn Karen has been one of the few experts to directly address the phenomenon, offering a grounded explanation that counters the sensational theories.

Speaking to The Mirror in 2019, a quote that continues to circulate due to its relevance, Karen said Melania’s sunglasses are less about fashion drama and more about emotional protection. “She tends to wear sunglasses and hats to shield herself from the public eye,” she said. 

According to Karen, pairing sunglasses with a hat creates a layer of anonymity that helps Melania navigate intense public environments with a sense of distance and control. “I believe the hat serves as armor of some sort,” she said. “When she’s looking into the audience, she cannot see the entire crowd due to her sunglasses or her hat.”

While the FLOTUS has faced waves of criticism for her accessory choices, she has also been praised by others for her carefully styled public appearances,  signaling that the conversation around her fashion remains split between admiration and unwarranted speculation.