Body double to bad breath: Inside the crazy theories about Melania Trump’s inauguration hat

Though Donald Trump’s executive orders should undoubtedly be the focus of Twitter and Reddit’s rage, many people seem way too concerned with outlandish conspiracy theories about Melania Trump’s hat.

Donald Trump was officially sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, ushering in his second official term in the White House. He was joined by a cabal of other controversial figures including Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk, the latter of which found himself going viral on his own social media platform after supposedly giving a “Nazi” salute.

Many of Trump’s family members were also in attendance, with Melania dressing in a navy wool coat, matching skirt, and ivory blouse. While the outfit put together by American designer Adam Lippes was certainly noteworthy, it’s her hat choice that has people in a kerfuffle.

She was compared to the Hamburglar, a funeral director, an anime villain, and even Michael Jackson, and now her fashion choices have sparked some wild conspiracy theories.

Melania Trump wore the hat to avoid kissing Donald

Trump tried to kiss Melania but couldn’t because of her hat 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/2KgykW2RaO

— Kyle (@ImKyleMangum) January 20, 2025

One of the prevailing theories right now is that Melania Trump chose that specific hat to avoid kissing her husband during the celebrations. Though this might seem like a bit of a reach, it’s not the first time – nor will it be the last – that Melania has snubbed her hubby’s affections. Why? Some have suggested he has bad breath.

The theory was given more weight when the video of the kiss was posted on Twitter – if you can even really call it a kiss because there was literally zero contact. It was an incredibly awkward interaction, and she did not attempt to rectify the hat getting in the way.

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“[Trump] is clearly unsure how to show affection towards his wife in the presence of her impressive hat, but neither of them attempts to solve the situation,” body language expert Inbaal Honigman told Covers.com.

“Melania could have angled her face to present her cheek to her husband. Donald could have bent a little lower to reach his wife’s cheek. But neither of them did it.”

She’s self-conscious, apparently

That hat was the best decision Melania Trump has ever made.

Cringiest air kiss ever.

🤣 pic.twitter.com/V5Bni1Dyg0

— Art Candee 🍿🥤 (@ArtCandee) January 20, 2025

Melania, a former model, could also be self-conscious about the facial expressions she is often ridiculed for on Twitter.

According to one Reddit person: “She wanted the attention diverted to President Trump instead of her because she knew the media would make comments like some of you are doing in this Reddit. Therefore she decided on a very conservative outfit to be not seen. Regardless of their political affiliation or what party you support, there was some thought put into it where you don’t even notice her, and that’s done intentionally.”

“That hat is a great way to hide out and conceal much of how she’s feeling,” another argued.

Melania learned her lesson after the 2016 inauguration

You might remember that back in 2016, when Donald Trump was first elected to be President, Melania’s facial expressions became memes widely shared across practically every social media platform. For that reason, others have suggested she’s learned her lesson and is intentionally obscuring her face to not become a meme. I’m sorry to say this Melania, but it failed.

“Melania wearing a hat pulled low today is to cover her eyes from photographers. Last inauguration her expressions became memes,” one person said, as another wrote, “Melania’s elegant, occlusive, all-business, mafia boss hat said no one – but especially not the media or their cameras – will have access to her unless she grants it, not even to her facial expressions.”

It wasn’t Melania Trump at all

"Melania" has been wearing a hat all day because they got a stunt double for her today, didn't they

— The okayest poster there is (@ok_post_guy) January 20, 2025

The final, and arguably most outlandish theory, is that the woman in the hat was not Melania Trump at all but a very convincing body double! This is part of an ongoing conspiracy theory that Melania Trump was replaced by a double sometime after 2017.

“Who was that person? Trans-Melania??? Body double, Melania??? Beetlejuice Melania??? Creepy as hell….” one person said.

Another argued: “I think it’s fake Melania at the inauguration. The hat completely obscures her face, and all of the camera angles have her behind something or someone. Very strange.”

Melania Trump has many things going for her. She is beautiful, has a heartwarming story, and seems to be a good mother, but depth of character is not usually something we’d associate with her. Maybe, in this case, a hat is just a hat and there is no deeper meaning or hidden message.

Featured image credit: Greg Nash/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock