Verifying the Facts: Image features Melania Trump, but it was not taken on Epstein's plane

A photo has surfaced showing future U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, formerly Melania Knauss, in a partially nude modeling session. Contrary to circulating online claims, the images were not taken on the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's plane.

During November 2025, a meme circulated across social media platforms, including Facebook, Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, and X, claiming to depict Melania Trump posing nude on Epstein's aircraft. The images often included text suggesting, "Fun fact: This famous picture of first lady Melania Trump was taken on Jeffrey Epstein's plane." Users sent inquiries asking whether the woman in the photo was indeed Melania Trump and whether she had been on Epstein's plane.

While the photo itself is authentic and has not been altered digitally, the captions attached to it were misleading. The images were actually taken by photographer Antoine Verglas for the January 2000 issue of GQ magazine, on Donald Trump's personal Boeing 727, not Epsteins plane. GQ editors confirmed the shoot details, describing it as a provocative, stylized photoshoot featuring Melania Knauss.

Melania Trump publicly addressed her past modeling work in September 2024, ahead of her memoir release, defending her participation in nude fashion photography. She emphasized the artistic value of the human form and criticized media scrutiny over her modeling history.

The original January 2000 GQ issue and archived images confirm that the shoot took place on Donald Trump's plane. Trump himself reportedly requested prints from the photoshoot to be delivered to his office. The images remain part of the public archive and have been documented by collectors and archival websites like WorthPoint.

Previous rumors about Melania Trumps past, including claims about her working as an escort before meeting Donald Trump, have been reported but remain unverified and are separate from the modeling photo controversy.

Sources include GQ magazine, WorthPoint archives, The Palm Beach Post, The Guardian, The New York Times, and Melania Trump's official statements on social media.

Author: Sophia Brooks