Donald and Melania Trump have returned to Washington, D.C., after spending Thanksgiving weekend at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, with their son Barron. While the former president made headlines for his usual mix of statements and appearances, it was Melania’s outfit during their return that grabbed social media’s attention.
On Sunday night, Marine One landed on the White House lawn.
It was already dark when Donald and Melania walked across the grass – but cameras quickly picked up something viewers found unusual: Melania was wearing large, dark sunglasses, even though it was nighttime.
Earlier, when they got off Air Force One, she’d been wearing them as well.
Clips from the arrival spread quickly on X (formerly Twitter). Many users mocked the choice of eyewear, joking that she would probably walk more easily down the stairs in stilettos if she weren’t wearing dark glasses at night.
One person compared her to Vogue’s longtime editor: “Does she think she’s Anna Wintour?” others asked why she seemed to hide behind hats and sunglasses so often.
Some went a step further and revived an old internet conspiracy theory: that the woman next to Donald wasn’t really Melania at all, but a body double.
“Why would the real Melania be wearing sunglasses after dark?” one user wrote. Another quipped, “Sunglasses at night – that’s the doppelgänger, not the real Melania,” referencing the long-running “fake Melania” rumors that have circulated online for years.
Not everyone joined in the ridicule. A few commenters suggested more ordinary explanations – for example, that she might not have been wearing eye makeup after a long flight and simply didn’t want to be photographed up close.
One self-described liberal wrote that they sometimes avoid makeup when they expect to nap while traveling, adding that sunglasses can help hide tired eyes.
Others praised her look in general, calling her “pure class” and saying she should release a fashion book.
The conversation around Melania’s sunglasses comes as Christmas season begins at the White House.
Recently, she received the official White House Christmas tree on the grounds at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. But her holiday role hasn’t always been portrayed as joyful.
In 2020, a leaked recording from 2018 captured Melania venting frustration about being criticized over her husband’s policy of separating migrant families, even as she worked on Christmas decorations. “Who gives a f*** about Christmas stuff and decorations?” she complained in the audio, saying she felt judged no matter what she did.
Whether seen as fashion statement, emotional “armor,” or just fuel for more conspiracy jokes, Melania Trump’s decision to wear sunglasses at night once again shows how even small style choices by public figures can spark big reactions online.
