Fact Check: Was Ghislaine Maxwell replaced with a body double in prison?

WASHINGTON, DC: On February 9, disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein's associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, was questioned by the House Oversight Committee via video conference from Federal Prison Camp Bryan.

Following this, a rumor circulated online claiming that Ghislaine Maxwell had been replaced in prison by a body double. But is there any truth to this? Let us find out below.

Claim: Ghislaine Maxwell was replaced with a body double in prison

Several social media users spread the rumor along with images that highlighted alleged differences between her appearance pre-incarceration and her appearance as of February 2026.

A Facebook user wrote, "On the right is Ghislaine Maxwell. On the left is NOT Ghislaine Maxwell, in a newly released prison video where this body double with a completely different face and voice pleads the 5th. The fake Ghislaine has creases in their eyelids, whereas the real Ghislaine has hooded eyes. The fake has a squared-off jaw and chin, and its ears are different. They also have a wider nose than the real Ghislaine."

"Trưmp and his administration clearly got what they needed from Ghislaine when she did the interview with the US Department of Justice (DOJ), claiming that Trưmp was a 'gentleman in all respects' and that she never witnessed him behaving inappropriately," the Facebook user added.

The post further read, "I believe that Ghislaine knew that they were going to kill her after the testimonial, so she embellished to a point that was so outlandish and ridiculous that anyone with a brain would know she was coerced and threatened to say those things."

The rumor spread online after Maxwell appeared on February 9 for a deposition via video conference before the House Oversight Committee to answer questions related to Epstein's criminal activities.  

Fact Check: No credible evidence to back the claim

The claims made in the online posts are not true, as there is no credible evidence to prove that Ghislaine Maxwell had been replaced in prison by a body double.

Her attorney informed Snopes that the person in the video was indeed Maxwell, saying, "Jail is crushing, and remember she was in torturous conditions, including sleep deprivation, back in New York. There are a lot of conspiracy theories out there, but this one might be in the hall of fame." 

The evidence for the theory was centered around alleged differences in Maxwell's appearance. She appeared on camera, seated in a chair, wearing a prison uniform with dark hair and glasses. 

Internet users spread the theory focused on apparent differences in Maxwell's nose, ears, and eyes during the deposition as compared with photographs of her before going to prison.