A wave of conspiracy theories has resurfaced online after a recent appearance by Donald and Melania Trump, prompting renewed speculation about their relationship.
For years, internet users have joked that Melania appears less than enthusiastic about public displays of affection with her husband.
One of the most famous examples was during Trump’s 2017 inauguration, where an awkward attempt to kiss her cheek caught the attention of viewers worldwide.
Numerous other incidents have fueled this narrative, including viral moments where Melania seemed to pull away or avoid holding Trump’s hand — the first widely publicized instance occurring during a 2017 trip to Tel Aviv, Israel, when she appeared to swat his hand away on the red carpet.
Further occurrences were noted in 2020, such as during the final presidential debate and again as the couple left the White House for the Capitol.
These incidents, reported by outlets like The Irish Star and The Independent, led to speculation about marital strain, with some critics suggesting Melania secretly harbors resentment toward her husband.
In her 2024 memoir Melania, the former First Lady attempted to address the rumors, dismissing the hand-swatting episodes as innocent misunderstandings. She attributed the viral red carpet moment to spatial constraints, writing:
“As we walked down the red carpet, I gently waved away his attempt to hold my hand. The media labeled it as a ‘swat’ and used it as supposed evidence of marital discord. This false narrative had been perpetuated since the beginning of the campaign.”
Despite her explanation, a new, tongue-in-cheek theory has taken off on social media this week, suggesting that Melania might be charging Trump for the act of hand-holding.
The theory gained traction after a photo of the couple at a Les Misérables performance at the Kennedy Centre went viral. In the image, Trump is seen only grasping Melania’s thumb, sparking a flurry of mock commentary.
One online user quipped, “He grabbed a thumb because he couldn’t afford the whole hand,” while another joked about a “pricing system”:
“Thumb goes for 10k. Thumb and index for 20k. Whole hand, but only for 5 minutes, 50k.”
Others joined in with similarly sarcastic remarks like, “Melania didn’t get paid to hold Donnie’s hand,” and “She charges extra for the whole hand.”
One post summed up the tone of the online chatter: “No matter what he pays, Melania won’t let him hold more than just her thumb.”
Though comedic, the renewed scrutiny reflects the public’s ongoing fascination with the Trump marriage — and how even the smallest gestures can ignite a social media storm.
