Over the years, Melania Trump’s changing appearance has fueled speculation, with some even suggesting that she has occasionally used a body double.
Experts, however, believe her altered look is likely due to cosmetic enhancements such as Botox, fillers, and possibly a nose job.
In a 2016 interview with GQ, the Slovenian-born former model insisted she has never undergone any procedures.
“I didn’t make any changes,” she said. “A lot of people say I am using all the procedures for my face. I didn’t do anything. I live a healthy life; I take care of my skin and my body. I’m against Botox, I’m against injections; I think it’s damaging your face, damaging your nerves. It’s all me. I will age gracefully, as my mom does.”
On the day of the 2024 election—where her husband secured victory—Melania Trump was seen indoors sporting oversized sunglasses, an unusual fashion choice that quickly sparked speculation.
Many began questioning why she opted for such large shades, with theories ranging from her possibly undergoing cosmetic procedures to the more outlandish idea that she wasn’t Melania at all, but rather a body double. This fueled a viral conspiracy theory, accompanied by the trending hashtag #FakeMelania.
“Why is Trump using a quite bad #FakeMelania stand-in with gigantic shades at the polling station? LOL Total madness!” one user posted on X.
Another person shared a photo of her standing beside Trump at the voting booth, captioning it: “They brought back #fakemelania for the series finale!”
A third chimed in, “Absolutely walking around with a fake Melania. Refuses to take her sunglasses off indoors. Not her face, not her nose, not her hair and she actually smiled, so definitely not her.”
Dr. Dennis Schimpf, a cosmetic plastic surgeon from South Carolina, speculates that the First Lady “probably had additional filler work done anticipating” the surge in media attention surrounding the elections.
Meanwhile, Dr. Thomas Barnes commented that “[Melania] just looked plain tired.”
Dr. Gary Motykie, another cosmetic surgeon, pointed out noticeable signs suggesting the use of fillers and a possible nose job.
Absolutely walking around with a fake Melania. Refuses to take her sunglasses off indoors. Not her face, not her nose, not her hair and she actually smiled so definitely not her. pic.twitter.com/QkgEQf1hxL
— DarkWingDuck (@TonyBuccaSports) November 5, 2024
“But I have noticed a change in her nose. Noses don’t usually shrink with age—they tend to get bigger. But hers looks noticeably smaller and more refined, so I strongly suspect at least one rhinoplasty [nose job],” he said. “I also think she’s keeping up with maintenance treatments—fillers, especially in the mid-face and cheeks, maybe a little in the lips, along with the usual Botox upkeep.”
People didn’t hesitate to share their thoughts. One person commented, “There’s no denying she’s always been a stunning woman… but come on, who is she fooling by claiming she hasn’t had work done? Just own it—we wouldn’t judge. After putting up with Trump all these years, she deserves a pass.”
Another added, “With her wealth and the pressure on women in the U.S. to look 25 at 75, of course she has! They all do it, then credit it to good nutrition and Nivea cream.”
Regardless of speculation, there’s no doubt that Melania remains a strikingly beautiful woman.