Back in October 2017 a conspiracy theory made the rounds that at times the White House employed a body double of First Lady Melania Trump for appearances with President Donald Trump. The "double" was almost always seen only from a distance and usually with sunglasses on.
The theory has been resurrected a few times since, most recently when photos of the First couple disembarking Air Force One on March 8, 2019 caused people to question the identity of the woman by the president's side.
Now, for the first time, POTUS has actually weighed in on the rumors.
Trump took to Twitter on Wednesday to make his own conspiracy theory claim that the media—every single person who had photographed or recorded video of FLOTUS deplaning—had photoshopped all images of the First Lady to propel the body double theory.
He posted:
"The Fake News photoshopped pictures of Melania, then propelled conspiracy theories that it’s actually not her by my side in Alabama and other places. They are only getting more deranged with time!"
The Fake News photoshopped pictures of Melania, then propelled conspiracy theories that it’s actually not her by my… https://t.co/3HIN4F7uCS— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1552484678.0
For some, the irony was rich indeed.
@realDonaldTrump It’s awful when sad old creeps spread crazy conspiracy theories. Must be hard on you.— Tommy Vietor (@Tommy Vietor) 1552484793.0
@realDonaldTrump Photoshopped??? Like your inauguration crowd size?— Angela Belcamino (@Angela Belcamino) 1552485307.0
@realDonaldTrump You don’t exactly have the best track record when it comes to honesty! https://t.co/XoFYujbMgu— Ryan Hill (@Ryan Hill) 1552484777.0
Some of Trump's supporters immediately echoed his claims.
@realDonaldTrump Fake news makes up fake stories and tries to pass them off as news—they are not. The left have pr… https://t.co/CNr3kgVr6D— CC (@CC) 1552485375.0
@realDonaldTrump They continue to manufacture FAKE NEWS to keep from airing President Trump’s accomplishments! Am… https://t.co/iRs7p8Wvyw— Lori Hendry (@Lori Hendry) 1552485968.0
But others were not buying what Trump or his supporters were selling.
People did not hold back when responding.
@Lrihendry @realDonaldTrump After watching a documentary about Trump and his business dealings I am quite sure he's… https://t.co/Fyvz8XHhfa— jan erik karlsen (@jan erik karlsen) 1552491854.0
@KarlsenBeats @Lrihendry @realDonaldTrump Yep! https://t.co/TwrMEi7hOD— D the Enemy ☠️ (@D the Enemy ☠️) 1552493810.0
@Lrihendry @realDonaldTrump No, America does not ❤️ Melania & Don the Con. The deplorables ❤️ them, everyone else i… https://t.co/4V2ln5B1hm— Marta (@Marta) 1552494787.0
@Lrihendry @realDonaldTrump America, that is the majority of Americans, voted against this incompetent poor excuse… https://t.co/gkS1ERdrLl— Brian Maher (@Brian Maher) 1552492089.0
@ChatByCC @realDonaldTrump Said the woman supporting a man who claimed Obama wasn’t born in America and was wiretapping his office.— Molly McNearney (@Molly McNearney) 1552494544.0
The name Jacob Wohl came up several times.
@ChatByCC @realDonaldTrump Same as Jacob Wohl trying to pass you off as a real person— Heather S. (@Heather S.) 1552492729.0
@ChatByCC @realDonaldTrump Wowzers, CC! I'm thinking it's pretty likely you are #JacobWohl... https://t.co/dEZNrfMpX6— livid liberal (@livid liberal) 1552494757.0
As well as "fake hoaxes."
@ChatByCC @realDonaldTrump Fake hoax? Means truth?— Tran PhD (@Tran PhD) 1552494180.0
@ChatByCC @realDonaldTrump wouldn’t a fake hoax just be a real event— cold distant father (@cold distant father) 1552494100.0
But most just thought the President had more important things to do during the national emergency .
@realDonaldTrump Get to work and stop tweeting crap nobody cares about except your mindless base.— Jeffrey Guterman (@Jeffrey Guterman) 1552484763.0
@realDonaldTrump Trump’s EXECUTIVE TIME runs into OT! https://t.co/UrDYta8aye— MmmmHmmmm (@MmmmHmmmm) 1552487820.0
@realDonaldTrump Between your impressively exhaustive TV watching, and tweeting, when do you actually work?— Mia Farrow (@Mia Farrow) 1552486242.0
@realDonaldTrump Aren't we supposed to be in the middle of a “National Emergency” Don’t you have more important th… https://t.co/s6YhehTnXS— Ryan Hill (@Ryan Hill) 1552485711.0
@realDonaldTrump Oh Wait! That’s right! There is no emergency! T: "I didn't need to do this. But I'd rather do i… https://t.co/FAWc0LhF5L— Ryan Hill (@Ryan Hill) 1552485758.0
Meanwhile fake Melania?
And another shot of the agent. She’s wearing heels too but is shorter than Melania, as others have pointed out in… https://t.co/S1NR3eOagx— Schadenfreude Sally (@Schadenfreude Sally) 1552136069.0
Jury is still out there.