A Melania Trump impostor accompanied former President Donald Trump to the polls Nov. 5.
Stand up for the facts!
Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.
I would like to contribute
No, a Melania Trump impostor didn’t accompany Donald Trump to the polls; it was his wife
If Your Time is short
-
Claims former President Donald Trump voted Nov. 5 alongside someone pretending to be his wife are unfounded. Numerous news outlets identified the former first lady in their Election Day coverage.
Former President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania Trump cast their ballots Nov. 5 at a polling station in a Palm Beach, Florida, recreation center.
Social media posts soon invigorated an old conspiracy theory that Trump was accompanied not by his wife, but by a body double for the former first lady.
Umm, that is NOT Melania," an X post said. "Sorry. I’m not buying it. Whoever was at the polls today with Don, WASN’T MELANIA."
"Dude showed up with FakeMelania bless his heart," a Threads post said.
"He used fake Melania," another Threads post said.
Sign up for PolitiFact texts
These Threads posts were flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and Threads.)
Melania Trump wore dark sunglasses as Donald Trump spoke to reporters after voting for himself in the 2024 presidential election, and some news coverage noted her affectless demeanor.
"Today appears to be one of mourning, apathy, or perhaps a head-splitting hangover," The Cut said about the former first lady.
Featured Fact-check
But claims Melania Trump wasn’t there are baseless.
Numerous journalists captured the moment. Photo and video captions identify her as Melania Trump.
The Palm Beach Post described the trip to the ballot box as a "rare public appearance" as she "voted alongside her husband."
We rate claims that Trump voted with a "Fake Melania" False.
Our Sources
Threads post, Nov. 5, 2024
Threads post, Nov. 5, 2024
X post, Nov. 5, 2024
USA Today, Fact check: Images show Melania Trump, not a body double, Oct. 27, 2020
The Cut, How Excited Does Melania Look to Vote?, Nov. 5, 2024
The Palm Beach Post, On Election Day, where's Melania? Former first lady votes alongside Trump near Mar-a-Lago, Nov. 5, 2024
YouTube, LIVE: Donald Trump, Melania Trump cast their vote in Palm Beach, Nov. 5, 2024
U.S. News & World Report, PHOTO COLLECTION: US Election Day 2024 Trump, Nov. 5, 2024
Browse the Truth-O-Meter
More by Ciara O'Rourke
No, a Melania Trump impostor didn’t accompany Donald Trump to the polls; it was his wife
Support independent fact-checking.
Become a member!
In a world of wild talk and fake news, help us stand up for the facts.