Does video show Trump’s ‘body double’ behind president? Here’s the truth

In late July 2026 a video spread (archived) showing U.S. President Donald Trump speaking to the media after the FIFA World Cup final, with social media users claiming his “body double” was walking around in the background.

One post on X stated:

People are losing it after a Trump body double was accidentally just spotted behind the President. They are calling him the “Backup Trump” Does this look like a clone to you?

(X user @HustleB****_)

The man in the background was not the president’s body double. Instead, the individual was Trump’s father-in-law, Victor Knavs. The footage spread online after comedian Jon Stewart joked about the men’s resemblance in an episode of his show, calling Knavs a “backup Trump.” As a result, we’ve rated the claim false.

In a July 20 episode of “The Daily Show,” Stewart brought attention to the video, highlighting a man in a blue tie walking around behind Trump. Zooming in on the footage Stewart said: “Oh my god, is that a backup Trump? … Or is that Trump?” Stewart made the joke around the 3:30 minute mark:

Looking closely at the footage on YouTube, we found the man in the blue tie standing right behind Trump was Knavs. He attended the World Cup final with his son-in-law and daughter. First Lady Melania Trump’s official Instagram account posted a photograph (archived) of herself, her father and FIFA president Gianni Infantino watching the final. In the picture, Knavs is wearing the same suit and blue tie as the so-called “backup Trump” in the above video.

Below is a screenshot of Knavs standing with his hands in his pockets behind Trump:

(DRM News)

The two men are close in age and appearance. Knavs is only two years older than Trump.

Snopes has debunked numerous rumors of body doubles for Melania Trump and former U.S. President Joe Biden.

Sources