One of Donald Trump’s holiday greetings sparked rumors that he and his wife Melania may be splitting up.
The couple has never been particularly affectionate in public, but the president-elect’s Christmas Instagram post recycled a photo of them from more than a half-decade ago, prompting social media users to question the state of their relationship, according to The List.
“Trump recycled a picture of himself and Melania that, per the X page Melania Trump 45 Archived, was apparently taken back in December 2018,” according to the website.
“Using an old picture rather than taking a new one might have been a matter of convenience, given the president-elect’s imaginably packed schedule, but some believe his failure to pause and take a new photo with his wife is a telling indicator that Donald and Melania might be on the rocks.”
Many social media users noticed the low-effort post and wondered why they had not posed together for a new Christmas picture.
“Trump tried to pass off an old 2018 White House photo of himself with Melania as a ‘Merry Christmas! 2024’ post today,” noted the X account Patriot Takes, which says it is dedicated to “researching and monitoring” right-wing extremism “and other threats to democracy.”
“Was the last time she was next to him, and coincidentally the last time she smiled for a photo,” said business owner Sean McDaniel, who shared a gif of Trump and Elon Musk laughing together. “He has a new love now.”
“Did she even spend a minute with him on Christmas?” wrote the X account Diego Dog & Barbara. “She really can not stand him.”
“He has no idea where she is,” said an X user named jltdawg.