Donald Trump is once again moving into the White House. As of Wednesday morning, networks such as CNN and Fox, as well as news agencies such as the Associated Press, have all called the election for the controversial politician, who held his victory speech late Tuesday with his wife, Melania Trump, by his side.
The build-up to the election has been quite different for the husband and wife duo when compared with 2016 and 2020. Melania was barely seen with her husband for the entirety of this presidential campaign, instead remaining in New York City.
Just what will happen moving forward regarding her moving back into the White House again or not, only time will tell. Interestingly, a debate about whether Melania Trump was really at her husband’s side when Donald cast his vote for the 2024 election has taken the internet by storm. Was it a body double? Well, some say there’s one detail that proves so.
Late Tuesday evening, many television networks and newspapers began projecting President-elect Donald Trump as America’s 47th president. Now it’s done.
He becomes only the second-ever President to win two nonconsecutive terms, and in January will return to the White House once more. Early Wednesday, Trump addressed his supporters from Florida, thanking them for their support.
Donald Trump praised wife Melania Trump during victory speech
“We have a country that needs help, and it needs help very badly. We’re going to fix our borders, and we’re going to fix everything about our country,” Trump said. He added a promise to the American people that “every single day I will be fighting for you,” continuing to claim it would be the “golden age of America.”
Trump was surrounded by his close family, including his wife, Melania Trump, and his children. He and Melania’s son, Barron Trump, just turned 18 and voted for the first time in the election. In his speech early Wednesday, Trump praised Melania, calling her memoir the top-selling book in the country.
“She works very hard to help people. So, I just wanted to thank her,” Trump said.
Melania was at her husband’s side during his past presidential campaigns, but in 2024, it was a whole different story. The former POTUS released her memoir earlier this year, and in its pages openly disagreed with her husband’s stance on abortion, stating that she supported women’s reproductive rights.
“It is imperative to guarantee that women have autonomy in deciding their preference of having children, based on their own convictions, free from any intervention or pressure from the government,” Melania wrote in her memoir Melania.
Why Melania Trump has been absent from Donald Trump’s presidential campaign
“Why should anyone other than the woman herself have the power to determine what she does with her own body?” she added. “A woman’s fundamental right of individual liberty, to her own life, grants her the authority to terminate her pregnancy if she wishes.”
After her husband lost to President Joe Biden in the 2020 race, Melania largely retreated from the public eye. She has remained absent from Donald Trump’s public endeavors, including most of his most recent presidential campaign.
What she’s been up to instead was on many people’s minds, not least Trump voters. During a town hall meeting in February, Fox News Host Laura Ingraham asked Donald if Melania would join him at his rallies. Trump explained that Melania’s dedication lay with their son, Barron.
“They love her, I’ll tell you,” Trump responded. “And you know her. She’s a very brilliant person. She speaks many languages, the whole thing.”
“Her life revolves around that boy, [he’s] so important to her. At the same time, it also revolves around our country and the success of our country. She’s raised a lot of money for charity.”
Barron Trump began his first year at New York University in September. That is reportedly why Melania hasn’t been with her husband on the campaign trail; instead, she has focused on supporting her son.
Melania Trump “not likely” to use White House as primary residence, source says
The former and future First Lady has barely spoken about her husband and his presidential campaign, and many have wondered whether she will accompany him to the White House.
People Magazine spoke to sources “in Melania’s orbit” about it.
“If Melania becomes first lady again, of course people expect her to move into the White House and perform appropriate duties,” a source close to the Trump family said, adding that Melania isn’t keen on relocating to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
“She will have her private living apartment there, and she has her home in New York, and her home at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach. She will spend time in all of these places,” the source added, concluding that it’s “not likely” that the White House will be her primary residence.
In the end, on election day, Melania Trump finally appeared by her husband’s side when they went to cast their vote at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center in Palm Beach, Florida.
Social media users were quick to comment on Melania’s lack of enthusiasm for being back in the spotlight, with one claiming that she even looked as if she was “attending a funeral.”
Body language expert says Melania Trump looked “solemn”
It wasn’t only social media users on X that had a say about Melania. Body language expert Judi James told the Mirror that Melania’s election day look was very different from her past styles.
“By Melania’s normal standards this is a very subdued, down-played look as she accompanies her rather low-energy-looking husband with his slumped shoulders and face partly-covered by a baseball cap to cast their votes,” Judi told the Mirror. “Her smile seems almost compensatory here as Trump’s facial expression is rather solemn and he graciously and gallantly motions for her to walk in first.”
The body language expert continued: “Melania’s FLOTUS looks tended to be high-vis numbers that became increasingly tailored, high-status power-suits towards the end of their term, so this casual shirt dress with her hair softly flowing to the side has no echoes of that previous stint. The Trump’s mood here might have been self-described as ‘confident’ but that sentiment is not reflected in their body language in these photos.”
So, Melania might not have looked enthusiastic about being back in the spotlight. But according to a new theory, she wasn’t even there at all. The internet went wild over a quite absurd theory that claimed it was, in fact, a body double.
‘Fake Melania Trump’ theory floods social media
Melania Trump wore a chic Christian Dior black-and-white polka dot dress, the same she wore for her Fox News interview in September to promote her memoir. However, as Medias Touch editor Ron Filipkowski shared a clip with Melania stating that she had “been wearing sunglasses inside all day today,” the conspiracy theories began spreading,
Some claimed she had been swapped with a body double for the cameras. “This is absolutely, categorically not Melania,” one X user wrote, as per Daily Mail. “This imposter’s been wearing sunglasses indoors all day.”
A second said: ‘How is a man who walks around with a fake wife even a contender for president?’ Another X user claimed: “The check didn’t clear in time for the real Melania to make an appearance, so they had to bring the doppelganger off the bench.”
As reported by the Daily Beast, another user stated that several details ‘proved’ it was a “fake Melania.”
“Rings missing, wrong nail style & length, no smile lines in the jawline [or] lower cheek, bust is half the size it should be,” one stated, while another said that the woman in the video looked “20 years younger” than Melania Trump.
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My Son Refused to Eat During Our Thanksgiving Dinner – When I Asked Why, He Said, ‘Grandma Told Me the Truth About You’
This Thanksgiving started with a hard-earned feast, but my son refused to eat and wouldn’t tell me why. Later, his heartbreaking confession revealed how one family member had shattered his trust and ours.
Life isn’t easy right now, but everyone does their best to make it work. My husband, Mark, and I try to focus on what really matters: creating a happy home for our 8-year-old son, Ethan.
A cute boy | Source: Midjourney
This year, we were determined to give him a Thanksgiving to remember, even though money’s been tight. We were also hosting our mother, so I wanted it to be nice.
Luckily, we managed to stretch our budget and pulled off a feast. The turkey came out golden and juicy, the mashed potatoes were fluffy, and Ethan’s favorite pumpkin pie was chilling in the fridge. I was proud of what we’d accomplished despite rising prices.
Thanksgiving food on a table | Source: Midjourney
Everything seemed fine until dinner. Ethan sat at the table, unusually quiet while staring at his plate. That kid often bounces with excitement for Thanksgiving.
“Sweetie,” I said gently, trying not to sound worried, “you’re not eating. Is everything okay?”
He shrugged, barely looking up. “I’m not hungry,” he mumbled.
A sad boy at a dinner table | Source: Midjourney
Mark shot me a questioning look across the table. I shrugged back, unsure what was going on. Our son was not the kind of kid to hold back if something was bothering him, but with my mom at the table, maybe he didn’t feel like talking.
She’s not exactly the warmest presence.
I decided not to push it during dinner. “Alright,” I said softly, giving his hand a little squeeze. “But let me know if that changes, okay?”
Ethan nodded, but the look on his face stayed with me. Something was wrong.
A worried woman at the dinner table | Source: Midjourney
After dinner, my son skipped dessert. Skipped. Dessert. That’s like the sun deciding not to rise.
Meanwhile, my mom didn’t notice or didn’t care. She stayed for another hour, and for some reason, she nitpicked the meal we’d had tirelessly saved for and worked so hard to make.
She complained about the fact that we made mac and cheese from a box, which is Ethan’s favorite, or it used to be, I guess.
Mac and cheese | Source: Midjourney
Apparently, we should’ve bought the good cheese and real macaroni from the store, considering Thanksgiving was such a special occasion.
At one point, tears pricked my eyes because this had been such a sacrifice. I wanted to yell that between her and Ethan’s strange attitude, Thanksgiving had been ruined.
But I bit my tongue, nodding to appease her. When she finally left, I headed straight for my son’s room.
A woman looking sad during Thanksgiving dinner | Source: Midjourney
Mark followed, just as worried as I was. Ethan was curled up on his bed, hugging his pillow.
“Sweetie?” I said softly, sitting beside him. “What’s wrong, honey? You’ve been so quiet today. You didn’t eat your favorite mac and cheese, and you didn’t want pumpkin pie.”
He looked at me with teary eyes. “Grandma told me the truth about you,” he whispered.
My stomach dropped. “What truth?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
A woman looking worried in a child’s bedroom | Source: Midjourney
He hesitated, then blurted out, “She said you and Dad are losers! She said we’re poor, and that’s why we can’t have a real Thanksgiving.”
My body froze, but my eyes widened. I could almost hear the sound of my heart breaking into a million pieces, like a vase thrown deliberately at the wall.
“When did your grandmother say these things?” I finally asked in a whisper.
“Last week, when she picked me up from school,” he replied as the tears wet his pillow.
A kid in bed looking sad | Source: Midjourney
Mark knelt next to me, and I saw his jaw tightening. “Ethan,” he said gently, “Grandma shouldn’t have said that to you.”
Our son sniffled, and his small hands gripped the blanket tighter. “She also said Dad’s lazy and doesn’t make enough money. And that you’re… not good at taking care of me.”
I could barely breathe.
Luckily, Mark was more composed. He started rubbing Ethan’s back, speaking in a calm but firm voice. “Buddy, none of that is true. Your mom and I work hard to give you everything we can because we love you so much.”
A man looking worried as he leans over a bed | Source: Midjourney
“But she said we’re not a real family,” our son continued. “Because we don’t have the stuff other people have.”
“Listen to me, sweetie,” I said hoarsely. “Grandma is wrong. What makes a family real isn’t money or stuff. It’s love. And we have so much of that.”
Mark chimed in, nodding. “People can and will say hurtful things, even people we love. But your mother’s right. What matters is how we treat each other, and I think we’re the luckiest family in the world because we’re together and healthy.”
A man leaning over a bed | Source: Midjourney
“Really?” Ethan asked.
“Yes!” Mark and I said in unison, and then I continued. “Listen, baby. We’re going to talk to Grandma. But she won’t be picking you up anymore. We all need a break from her, I think.”
Ethan bit his lip for a second before his tiny smile emerged.
“All good now?” Mark asked, tilting his head.
Our son lifted his upper body slightly and looked at us expectantly. “Can I have some pumpkin pie now?”
A kid looking happy lying in bed | Source: Midjourney
Mark and I released a sigh of relief.
We went out to the kitchen, and Ethan acted like he’d never eaten before. He devoured his mac and cheese, a bit of the turkey, and even some green beans before inhaling his piece of pumpkin pie.
He fell asleep on the couch a second after he finished, and we carried him to his room.
Once we were inside our bedroom, Mark and I agreed on what we would say to my mother almost immediately. He was so angry that there was no other choice.
A couple talking seriously | Source: Midjourney
The next morning, I woke up ready, but nervous. I called my mom over, and she arrived, looking smug and carrying that air of superiority that I’d ignored most of my life.
I just couldn’t let it go now that it had affected my son.
“Why did you invite me over? We saw each other last night, and I definitely don’t want leftovers from that meal” she chuckled without humor, sitting down on our armchair and not even saying hello to Mark.
A woman sitting on an armchair | Source: Midjourney
Her comment was perfect because it assured me that I was making the right choice.
So, I didn’t waste more time. “Ethan told us what you said to him last week,” I began. “About Mark and me and our family.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Oh, that? I was just being honest,” she said, waving a hand dismissively. “He needs to understand how the real world works.”
Mark’s voice was sharp. “Telling an 8-year-old that his parents are losers is your idea of honesty?”
An angry man | Source: Midjourney
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, come on. I was just preparing him for reality. He needs to know life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.”
“What he needs is love and support,” I snapped. “Not your judgmental comments. Do you have any idea how much you hurt him? Did you even notice he wasn’t eating last night?”
“I wasn’t trying to hurt him,” she said, looking annoyed. “But really… it’s just the truth. You can’t provide enough. He should have more.”
A woman sitting on an armchair and waving a hand dismissively | Source: Midjourney
“More?” Mark said, standing and pacing the living room. “We work hard to give Ethan a good life. All he needs is us by his side. You don’t get to tear our family down just because you think we don’t measure up to your standards.”
Mom’s face turned red. “Things wouldn’t be this way if Umma had listened,” she retorted and turned her angry eyes to me. “If you had married the man I wanted for you, none of this would’ve happened.”
A woman looking angry on an armchair | Source: Midjourney
I saw that my husband was about to explode, so I stood and spoke first. “That’s enough. Get out of my house! Until you can show us all the respect we deserve, we’re cutting you off.”
Her jaw tightened. “What? You can’t do that!”
“Yes, we can,” Mark said, walking to our front door and opening it wide. “We might be losers, but this is our house, and we’ve had enough of you.”
Mom looked at me one more time, but I only raised my eyebrows expectantly.
A woman with arms crossed in a living room | Source: Midjourney
With a huff, she grabbed her purse and stormed out. Mark slammed the door behind her and barked a laugh.
I didn’t, but I felt a weight off my shoulders.
Since then, our son has been thriving. It’s a little hard not being able to ask my mom to pick Ethan up, but we arranged a carpool schedule with other moms.
Weeks later, on an evening close to Christmas, I confirmed that this had been the right decision while baking cookies from a box mix. Ethan looked up at me with a big smile.
A boy with a bowl of cookie dough | Source: Midjourney
“Mom, I think our family is the best,” he said.
My throat felt too tight as I smiled back. “Me too, buddy. Me too.”
I don’t know if my mom will ever make her way back into our lives, but so far, she hasn’t even tried. Her pride and toxicity don’t allow her to see the big picture or what truly matters in life.
My advice is: Protect your kids, even if you have to pull away from other family members. The holidays should be joyful, not a source of stress and tears. Do what’s best for your household.
A happy family on Christmas | Source: Midjourney
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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