A hilarious yet intriguing conspiracy theory has gone viral after Donald Trump’s Alaska meeting with Vladimir Putin on August 15. A section of internet users claimed that the Russian president never attended the talks in person. Instead, they alleged that Putin sent one of his many supposed body doubles to meet the US president. The claims arose after online observers pointed out unusual details about Putin’s face, gait, and behavior. According to them, the man who met Trump had fuller cheekbones, looked more jovial than usual, and even smiled more than the Russian leader normally does.
Social Media Fuels the Doppelganger Theory
Users on Twitter and other platforms turned the meeting into a comedy show. Many insisted the person who arrived in Alaska did not resemble the original Putin. One user mocked the situation by saying, “They didn’t even send the good double, they sent ‘Jovial Putin,’ the expendable one that usually just makes minor public appearances and even went to visit Kim in North Korea.” Others claimed the man’s hairline and cheek fillers looked suspiciously different.
Its literally not even the real Putin. They didnt even send the good double, they sent “Jovial Putin”, the expendable one that usually just makes minor public appearances and went to visit Kim in NK. Look at that hairline and those cheek fillers, jfc… pic.twitter.com/27lDBsbLqA
— Nostramanus 🐦⬛ (@fridolinmozart) August 15, 2025
Another user added to the speculation by saying, “I think that is Putin’s body double #5. Does not quite look like him. His cheeks are rounder and he does not walk with his customary low movement right arm, a classic KGB walk.” The theories spread quickly because they mixed humor with genuine curiosity about Putin’s long-discussed doubles.
Cheekbones, Smiles, and a Different Gait
For some, the cheekbones appeared too pudgy and the constant smiling raised suspicion and observers argued that the man struggled to control his laughter, which gave away the disguise. Many felt the Russian leader rarely shows such open cheer, especially during serious international meetings. The claims remained speculative, but they drew attention because they aligned with long-standing rumors about Putin’s use of doubles.
Past Claims of Putin’s Alleged Doubles
The body double theory is not new. Close watchers of the Russian president have claimed for years that he uses look-alikes to attend certain events. There is even a dedicated Wikipedia article titled “Alleged doubles of Vladimir Putin.” Some theorists believe these doubles underwent surgery to resemble him as closely as possible. However, experts say the easiest way to detect a double is by analyzing his trademark “gunslinger gait.” Putin often walks with his right arm held stiff by his side, while his left arm swings normally. Neurologists have explained that this walk is not due to illness. Instead, it reflects his KGB training, where agents learned to keep their weapon hand close to their body for a quick draw.
A Familiar Rumor With a Comic Twist
Speculation about Putin’s doubles has resurfaced several times, but this time it carried a comic twist. By combining jokes about pudgy cheeks, hairlines, and extra smiles, social media users gave a lighthearted spin to a long-running theory but while no evidence proves the Alaska visitor was a double, the viral chatter showed how quickly conspiracy theories can gain traction in today’s internet age.
