Fact Check: Did Melania Trump’s ‘body double’ cast vote alongside husband Donald Trump on Election Day?

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: With the US presidential election officially underway, an old (and bizarre) rumor has somehow resurfaced yet again: the “Fake Melania” conspiracy.

The claim that former first lady Melania Trump has a body double is back in the headlines. This time the buzz began after she and husband Donald Trump were spotted voting in Palm Beach, Florida, sparking whispers across social media.

Within minutes of the photos being shared, many people on X (formerly Twitter) insisted that the woman next to Trump couldn’t possibly be Melania—it had to be a stand-in.

So, is there any truth to these wild claims? Well, spoiler alert: not even close.

How the latest 'Fake Melania Trump' discussion began

It all started when photos and video footage of the Trumps hit social media after they cast their votes on Tuesday, November 5. Some users on X were quick to throw out accusations, claiming that Melania Trump was being “played” by a lookalike.

But this theory unravels pretty fast with just a little bit of fact-checking.

For starters, we’ve got clear video proof that it’s Melania right there standing next to Trump. C-SPAN footage shows them walking out of the polling station side by side. At around the 2:54 mark, they’re both facing reporters with Melania staying silent, looking every bit herself.

And if you really want specifics, she gives her signature smile and nod around the 10:58 mark while Trump chats about his Secret Service detail. So, unless her “double” has nailed every little mannerism, it’s safe to say it’s really her.

Getty Images confirms it's Melania Trump

Now, let’s talk photos. Getty Images clearly didn’t miss this moment and their high-quality shots of Melania Trump and Donald Trump outside the polling station should put this theory to rest. These photos are crystal clear, and there’s no mistaking Melania’s characteristic look.

One Getty caption spells it out: “Melania Trump meets with reporters after casting her vote at the polling place in the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center on Election Day, on November 05, 2024, in Palm Beach, Florida.”

Beyond just photos, Florida’s voting requirements make it even more complicated for any kind of lookalike stunt. Voters in Florida need to show ID, sign an affidavit, or use a provisional ballot if they don’t have their ID on them. So, swapping out Melania with a fake would not only be a huge risk but a violation of election rules.

If this all feels like deja vu, you’re not alone. The “Fake Melania” theory has popped up multiple times over the years. It first gained traction during Trump’s presidency when every slight change in Melania’s appearance seemed to stir up wild guesses.

If she looked tired, she was suddenly an imposter. A new hairstyle? Obviously, it couldn’t be her. It’s like any tiny change was ground for a full-blown conspiracy theory.

The Joe Biden 'double' theory

This trend doesn’t just haunt the Trumps. President Joe Biden has also been at the center of similar claims.

This past June, X user Matt Wallace (@MattWallace888) took things up a notch by posting a series of videos and tweets claiming Biden had a “body double” ready to fill in for him at a CNN debate with Trump.

Wallace — known for pushing conspiracy theories — insisted he had “hidden footage” of a masked Biden double. He provided zero proof, but the internet took the bait anyway.

In fact, Biden’s “double” rumors got more traction in August 2023 when someone suggested that actor Arthur Roberts was stepping in as the president. Videos on TikTok, Instagram, and X started popping up with side-by-side comparisons, insisting that Roberts bore an uncanny resemblance to Biden.

One viral TikTok video from late August went as far as overlaying Roberts’ face on a 2020 presidential debate clip, claiming “Arthur Roberts playing Biden” as if this was some big Hollywood role.

These rumors had actually been simmering for a while. In December 2021, an Instagram post showed Biden tugging at his lip, with the caption insisting he was “pulling the [flesh] mask down so you can see his real lip.” The post added, “The real Joe Biden is dead, this Joe is being played by Arthur Roberts.”

Once again, no evidence was offered to substantiate these theories, Snopes reported.