Why did Melania Trump wear a gigantic hat to the inauguration? Conspiracies emerge

In the grand Capitol Rotunda, all eyes were on Donald Trump during his inauguration –but it was the absence of the incoming First Lady, Melania Trump that caught everyone’s attention. Technically, she was present for the historic occasion, but she chose to make herself almost invisible.

Her navy wide-brimmed hat was worn so low that it threw her entire face into shadow and made direct eye contact with cameras or guests nearly impossible.

Her ensemble, a navy wool coat, matching skirt, and ivory blouse, created by American designer Adam Lippes, exuded elegance, but it was the bolero hat that turned heads – and raised eyebrows.

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Comparisons flew fast and furious online. Some said she resembled the Hamburglar; others saw a funeral director, an anime villain, or even Michael Jackson. The internet was ablaze with theories, speculation, and memes dissecting her choice of headwear.

Was it a statement? A distraction? Or simply a fashion choice that went viral? Whatever the intention, Melania Trump’s hat is the talk of the town. Here’s a closer look at some of the wildest conspiracies.

The bad breath theory

One of the most talked-about theories surrounding Melania Trump’s infamous inauguration hat is surprisingly personal: some believe it was deliberately chosen to avoid kissing her husband during the celebrations. The reason? Speculation suggests Donald Trump might have bad breath.

The rumour gained traction after a video of their awkward kiss circulated on X (formerly Twitter). In the clip, Trump struggles to reach her cheek as the wide-brimmed hat obstructs his face. The more shocking part: she made no efforts to rectify the hat getting in the way.

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New US president Donald Trump *nearly* kisses wife Melania on the cheek #Inauguration2025

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— Francis Keogh (@HonestFrank) January 20, 2025

“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,” a user wrote.

Another remarked, “Melania Trump just stood there as Donald gave her the most awkward fake kiss of all time—air never felt so loved.”

“Trump went for the cheek kiss, but Melania’s hat was a no-go zone. He ended up kissing nothing but air, proving even the President can miss. Maybe it’s time for “Make Air Kissing Great Again!,” one user commented.

It is not Melania Trump

One of the wildest and most persistent theories about Melania Trump’s inauguration appearance is that it wasn’t Melania at all – but a highly convincing body double.

The idea stems from long-standing rumours that the former Slovenian model left Donald Trump years ago and that a stand-in now accompanies him at public events. The mysterious wide-brimmed hat only added fuel to the fire.

“Stylish! If it was only really Melania under that hat,” another noted, “Think it was a Secret Service body double. She never had that hat move from the tilted position, so ppl couldn’t see “her”. Earlobes and jawline different.”

Another said: “I swear I’m not a tinfoil hat wearing, body-double believing conspiracy theorist… … but that obviously isn’t Melania, right?”

“The hat covering Melania’s whole face? They brought out the clone today I see,” now user wrote.

She wanted to hide her feelings

Another theory about Melania Trump’s choice of hat at the inauguration is that it was her way of hiding her facial expressions – expressions that have often made her the subject of ridicule on social media.

Back in 2016, when Donald Trump first became President, Melania’s reactions were turned into viral memes, shared across platforms. This time, she appeared determined to avoid history repeating itself, opting for a hat so low it shielded her face from photographers, the theory suggested.

“Melania wearing a hat pulled low today is to cover her eyes from photographers. Last inauguration her expressions became memes,” one person observed.

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.”

A third user summed it up: “That hat is a great way to hide out and conceal much of how she’s feeling.”

Also read: Donald Trump's raised fist makes comeback at inaugural address. But what does it mean?

What does the designer behind Melania’s hat say?

The man behind Melania Trump’s now-famous hat, designer Eric Javits, revealed that the headgear was crafted to reflect the “formality of the occasion.”

Javits, a veteran in the world of headwear design, has created hats for decades. His creations have been worn by celebrities like Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, and Ariana Grande, as well as former first ladies including Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush.

For Melania, Javits said the inspiration came from a summer hat she had previously purchased from his website. “I sent another similar one as a reference, and those two designs sort of became the springboard for creating a winter version with a more abbreviated brim,” he explained.

Interestingly, Javits admitted he wasn’t certain if Melania would wear the hat on inauguration day due to last-minute venue changes caused by freezing temperatures. He only discovered it when he saw her on television.

“I sort of feel like it wasn’t really a ‘wow’ hat. It was very understated, very elegant, and appropriate. But when she put it on – and I had never seen her wearing it before since I never had direct contact with her – I felt that her presence, grace, and beauty really brought the whole thing alive,” he said.

With input from agencies