Who Started the 'Reptilian Elite' Theory? Susan Dell Memes Bring David Icke's Conspiracy Back Into Spotlight

Susan Dell's viral White House appearance has brought the 'reptilian elite' conspiracy theory back into online conversation. The idea, popularised nearly three decades ago by British writer David Icke, claims that shape-shifting lizard-like beings secretly control world leaders.

Photographs of the philanthropist alongside President Donald Trump on 7 October 2026 prompted memes about her appearance, reviving questions about where the bizarre theory began. There is no evidence that Dell, or anyone else, belongs to such a species.

Origins of the Reptilian Elite Theory

David Icke, a former professional footballer and BBC sports presenter, is widely credited with popularising the modern reptilian elite narrative through his 1999 book The Biggest Secret. Icke claimed that reptilian beings, sometimes described as originating from the Draco star system or another dimension, could disguise themselves as humans and influence politics, banking, royalty and the media.

His account placed powerful families and public figures within an alleged secret network. He developed the idea further in Children of the Matrix, published in 2001.

Icke's transformation into a conspiracy author began earlier. In 1991, he attracted national attention following an appearance on the BBC's Wogan programme, where he discussed unusual spiritual beliefs. His later work combined UFO stories, occult themes and allegations about global power. Historian Ronald Fritze, writing in Hope and Fear: Modern Myths, Conspiracy Theories and Pseudo History, identifies The Biggest Secret as a defining work in Icke's reptilian claims.

Earlier Roots of the Lizard People Idea

The concept predates Icke. Robert E. Howard's 1929 fantasy story The Shadow Kingdom featured serpent-like beings capable of passing themselves off as humans and infiltrating positions of authority.

Political scientist Michael Barkun has traced important elements of reptilian conspiracy narratives to Howard's fiction and earlier occult ideas. Other influences include the 1980s science-fiction television series V, featuring aliens concealed beneath human appearances, and ancient-astronaut theories associated with author Zecharia Sitchin.

Icke brought these strands together into a modern story about hidden rulers. Researchers have also criticised elements of the narrative for echoing antisemitic myths about secret groups controlling world affairs. Icke has denied antisemitism.

Why Susan Dell's Appearance Revived the Theory

Susan Dell attended an Oval Office event with her husband, Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell, to discuss their $6.25 billion (£4.72 billion) commitment to children's Trump Accounts. According to the White House event transcript, Michael Dell said the couple had funded 10 million accounts by 7 October, with plans to reach 25 million that week.

At the event, Susan urged parents and grandparents to claim the accounts, saying they were ready and had money waiting. The couple's pledge allocates $250 (£189) to each of 25 million eligible children across America under the initiative.

But online attention shifted towards Susan Dell's face and expressions. Social media users compared images from different years, circulated reptilian memes and speculated about her appearance without evidence.

Similar claims have previously targeted politicians, royals and celebrities, often interpreting ordinary gestures or video artefacts as supposed signs of a disguise. However, it should be noted that these claims are all based on speculations and theories. Dell's appearance offers no evidence, although the latest memes demonstrate how readily the decades-old theory resurfaces around prominent figures.