- The fake Melania online
conspiracy theory is back.
- It was a imposter y'all.
- [Woman] The US first lady
is using a body double.
- Is there really a fake Melania?
Nope, and here's why.
(groovy music)
Welcome to Trackback, where we track
all the weird and wild conspiracy theories
spreading on the internet.
Like the idea that Melania
Trump is using a body double.
This theory went viral in March.
But it's been around for a few years.
Let's back it up to October in 2017.
Andrea Wagner Barton started
this conspiracy theory
with this Facebook post.
She included a side-by-side
photo comparison of Melania.
And yeah, they kinda
look a little different.
Her video was viewed
over 19 million times.
And the theory went viral.
There were over 400
news articles published
about fake Melania in October alone.
But, there are tons of additional photos
from the same event that make it clear,
this is really Melania.
See, still her.
Why did so many people buy
into the idea of fake Melania?
The original post compared a grainy photo
of a television screen to a photoshopped
high-res magazine cover.
Lighting can drastically
change the way you look.
Take a look at me.
See how the position and
strength of the light
makes me look totally different.
Now, let's get back to the latest example.
From a visit to Alabama in March
to meet with victims of a tornado.
Nearly all fake Melania
posts feature sunglasses.
This tweet asks if there
are any photos of Melania
without sunglasses from
her visit to Alabama.
Glad you asked.
Let's google that for you.
As you see here, sunglasses
don't equal fake Melania.
Next, this feed claims
that Melania shrunk.
Again, other footage from
the same visit that day
shows the first lady wearing runners,
and not her usual high stilettos.
Oh hey, it's my double.
- That's right, I was created
with a few fancy editing techniques.
- Now we've debunked that
fake Melania is fake.
Here's your Trackback tip.
- There are a lot of factors
that can make somebody
not look like themselves.
When people make claims
about body doubles,
try to find other images
from the same settings.
Don't base your opinion
on a single video or photo
from an unknown source.
- Okay Fake Liza, that's enough.
Get outta here, this is my show.
That is your latest episode of Trackback.
Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe.
And we'll see you guys next week.
(groovy music)
Can I say shit?
