NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / World

New Melania conspiracy theory: Did Donald Trump write her latest tweet?

By Emily Goodin
Daily Mail·
1 Jun, 2018 07:45 AM5 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
/
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time -0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
    • captions off, selected

      This is a modal window.

      The Video Cloud video was not found.

      Error Code: VIDEO_CLOUD_ERR_VIDEO_NOT_FOUND
      Session ID: 2025-05-30:4e2fc527c506dfd8277c5b58 Player Element ID: vjs_video_5784668674001

      Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.

      Text
      Text Background
      Caption Area Background
      Font Size
      Text Edge Style
      Font Family

      End of dialog window.

      This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.

      Car plows into Liverpool crowd celebrating premier league win

      UP NEXT:

      Autoplay in
      2
      Disable Autoplay
      Cancel Video
      First Lady, Melania Trump undergoes kidney surgery. Source: Fox News

      A new conspiracy theory surrounding Melania Trump alleges the US first lady didn't write that tweet announcing she was working hard and some postulate it was President Donald Trump who did.

      It's been 21 days since Melania Trump has been seen in public. Her last sighting was on May 10, when she joined Trump at Andrews Air Force Base in welcoming home hostages from North Korea.

      President Donald Trump speaks while first lady Melania Trump listens. Photo / AP
      President Donald Trump speaks while first lady Melania Trump listens. Photo / AP

      She went into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on May 14 for a kidney procedure and hasn't been seen since.

      Conspiracy theories have abound about her disappearance and the first lady addressed the speculation on Wednesday with a tweet saying she is at the White House and "working hard".

      Advertisement
      Advertise with NZME.
      Advertisement
      Advertise with NZME.

      I see the media is working overtime speculating where I am & what I'm doing. Rest assured, I'm here at the @WhiteHouse w my family, feeling great, & working hard on behalf of children & the American people!

      — Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) May 30, 2018

      The first lady's longtime friend, Paolo Zampolli, told Associated Press she thinks Melania Trump "wanted to spend some quality time with her family".

      The first lady's spokesperson, Stephanie Grisham, told DailyMail.com that Melania Trump has been meeting with her staff on the "Be Best" initiative and working on upcoming projects like the annual White House congressional picnic and Fourth of July plans.

      Grisham told the AP the first lady would like to be "out and about promoting her initiatives" but "her health comes first".

      A reporter for Huffington Post compared Melania's tweet on Wednesday to previous tweets from the president and wondered: "Where have we heard' this before?

      Advertisement
      Advertise with NZME.

      Huffington Post notes "working " is a favourite idiom used by the president, particularly in regards to talking about the media.

      "The Fake News is working overtime," President Trump wrote in a May 9 tweet.

      The Fake News is working overtime. Just reported that, despite the tremendous success we are having with the economy & all things else, 91% of the Network News about me is negative (Fake). Why do we work so hard in working with the media when it is corrupt? Take away credentials?

      — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 9, 2018

      Trump also likes to talk about how hard Republicans, his administration and he works.

      In this February 16 tweet on immigration talks, he noted: "Republicans are still working hard."

      Discover more

      World

      Melania Trump undergoes kidney surgery

      14 May 06:59 PM
      World

      First Lady on the mend

      19 May 08:36 PM
      World

      Trump blasted for 'tone deaf' tweet on day of mourning

      28 May 05:14 PM
      World

      Where is Melania? First lady's response fails to quell rumours

      30 May 10:11 PM

      And "On behalf of the American people" is another favourite Trump phrase, which he used on May 10 to welcome home the hostages from North Korea, the last time Melania Trump was seen in public.

      On behalf of the American people, WELCOME HOME! pic.twitter.com/hISaCI95CB

      — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 10, 2018

      Some celebrities are having fun with the speculation on where the US first lady's been hiding.

      Comedian Sarah Silverman retweeted Melania's tweet with her own comment: "Who is this? where's Melania?"

      Holly Figueroa O'Reilly, who calls herself a Grammy losing songwriter, mom of five, and one of the national organisers of the "March for Truth", joined in the speculation about who wrote Melania's tweet.

      "There is a 0.00000% chance Melania wrote this tweet. Weird grammar and syntax? Exclamation marks? Sounds familiar. I can't quite put my tiny orange finger on it," she wrote on Twitter.

      Who is this? where’s Melania? https://t.co/0B3KSQxxQT

      — Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) May 30, 2018

      There is a 0.00000% chance Melania wrote this tweet.
      Weird grammar and syntax? Exclamation marks?
      Sounds familiar. I can't quite put my tiny orange finger on it.https://t.co/TEbG2hsKvT

      — Holly Figueroa O'Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) May 30, 2018

      Yeah, so I don't think Melania wrote that "working overtime" tweet. pic.twitter.com/oeNy8ivpil

      — Brian Klaas (@brianklaas) May 31, 2018

      Author Brian Klass agreed, tweeting: "Yeah, so I don't think Melania wrote that 'working overtime' tweet."

      Advertisement
      Advertise with NZME.

      There's also a notable lack of photos of the first lady with no pictures being posted of her meetings with staff or of her "working hard".

      Melania Trump herself has posted videos on social media of her work, such as one posted about the White House holiday decorations in December and another on her preparations for the first state dinner in April.

      But there has been nothing about her recently, leading to questions about why she spent a week in the hospital for an embolisation procedure and her prolonged recovery at home.

      First ladies are under no obligation to release updates on their health. But there have been questions about Melania's long absence for a procedure medical experts say involves a quick recovery.

      We had a wonderful celebration @Whitehouse today to honor some incredible military moms for #MothersDay. My heart & continued prayers stay w/ all our brave military members. I’m proud to support @POTUS in today’s signing to help increase opportunities for military families. pic.twitter.com/VCs8KsScOF

      — Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) May 9, 2018

      A reporter for CNBC tweeted he saw the first lady in the West Wing on Tuesday walking with aides. No other details were given.

      Politico reported Wednesday there are a variety of conspiracy theories being banded about given Melania's absence: She's moved back to New York City, she's co-operating with special counsel Robert Mueller, she's living with the Obamas, working on a tell-all book or she had a secret nip and tuck that she's healing from.

      Advertisement
      Advertise with NZME.

      President Trump said last week the first lady is "doing great" after her kidney surgery.

      "She's doing great. Right there. She's doing great," he said on the White House lawn last Friday morning before he left to give the commencement address at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

      "She's looking at us, right there," he added and pointed to a window in the White House residence above him.

      The first lady was not visible to reporters on the ground.

      Save

        Share this article

      Latest from World

      World

      Erin Patterson trial: Mother’s Day text message aired in court

      30 May 09:06 AM
      World

      'Terrible catastrophe': Swiss glacier collapse devastates village

      30 May 08:47 AM
      Entertainment

      Fifth Harmony star exchanges vows with long-time partner in sunset wedding

      30 May 06:04 AM

      Gold demand soars amid global turmoil

      sponsored
      Advertisement
      Advertise with NZME.
      Recommended for you
      Morning quiz: In darts, what's the most points you can score with a single throw?
      New Zealand

      Morning quiz: In darts, what's the most points you can score with a single throw?

      30 May 05:00 PM
      'Spiritual crisis': Pastor fined for building unconsented church, Christian group millions in debt
      New Zealand

      'Spiritual crisis': Pastor fined for building unconsented church, Christian group millions in debt

      30 May 05:00 PM
      Racing heavyweights to have greater role in its direction
      Racing

      Racing heavyweights to have greater role in its direction

      30 May 05:00 PM
      The legacy of Rene Orchiston's flax collection
      The Country

      The legacy of Rene Orchiston's flax collection

      30 May 05:00 PM
      'A few surprises': Genetic study reveals farm dog health risks
      The Country

      'A few surprises': Genetic study reveals farm dog health risks

      30 May 05:00 PM

      Latest from World

      Erin Patterson trial: Mother’s Day text message aired in court

      Erin Patterson trial: Mother’s Day text message aired in court

      30 May 09:06 AM

      Messages between Patterson and her in-laws were key in the defence's argument.

      'Terrible catastrophe': Swiss glacier collapse devastates village

      'Terrible catastrophe': Swiss glacier collapse devastates village

      30 May 08:47 AM
      Fifth Harmony star exchanges vows with long-time partner in sunset wedding

      Fifth Harmony star exchanges vows with long-time partner in sunset wedding

      30 May 06:04 AM
      Second former Sean Combs assistant recounts her dream turned nightmare

      Second former Sean Combs assistant recounts her dream turned nightmare

      30 May 06:01 AM
      Explore the hidden gems of NSW
      sponsored

      Explore the hidden gems of NSW

      NZ Herald
      • About NZ Herald
      • Meet the journalists
      • Newsletters
      • Classifieds
      • Help & support
      • Contact us
      • House rules
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of use
      • Competition terms & conditions
      • Our use of AI
      Subscriber Services
      • NZ Herald e-editions
      • Daily puzzles & quizzes
      • Manage your digital subscription
      • Manage your print subscription
      • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
      • Subscribe to Herald Premium
      • Gift a subscription
      • Subscriber FAQs
      • Subscription terms & conditions
      • Promotions and subscriber benefits
      NZME Network
      • The New Zealand Herald
      • The Northland Age
      • The Northern Advocate
      • Waikato Herald
      • Bay of Plenty Times
      • Rotorua Daily Post
      • Hawke's Bay Today
      • Whanganui Chronicle
      • Viva
      • NZ Listener
      • What the Actual
      • Newstalk ZB
      • BusinessDesk
      • OneRoof
      • Driven CarGuide
      • iHeart Radio
      • Restaurant Hub
      NZME
      • About NZME
      • NZME careers
      • Advertise with NZME
      • Digital self-service advertising
      • Book your classified ad
      • Photo sales
      • NZME Events
      • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
      TOP
      search by queryly Advanced Search