Viktor and Amalija Knavs, parents of US first lady Melania Trump. Photo / Getty Images

The internet has met the father of US first lady Melania Trump and, well, they've noticed something.

Tech writer for Gizmodo Matt Novak posted a photo of Melania's parents on Twitter this week and social media users were at pains to compare her dad, Viktor Knavs, to a certain someone.

Strolling off the president's private plane, his stature, haircut, facial features and long red necktie were undeniably reminiscent of the Donald himself.

As people scrambled to post pictures of the two men side by side, the term "daddy issues" was more than a little overused.

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One Twitter user even pointed out that Mr Trump and his father-in-law are close in age. Mr Knavs is 73 while Mr Trump turns 71 this week.

I had no idea what Melania's dad looked like until now and um... pic.twitter.com/bbEMUayZCw

— Matt Novak (@paleofuture) June 12, 2017

Me: Who does his remind you of?

My 14yr yr old daughter: Trump

Me: This is Melania's father.

My daughter: Ewww, that's freaky.

— 46 days to go (@KateMcCreedy) June 12, 2017

It's like Melania married her dad's doppelganger!! pic.twitter.com/c9JHymwEL5

— Deborah G (@MyNextLifeDebi) June 12, 2017

They even have the same little hands.
He could be Trump's stunt double. pic.twitter.com/Jo80j1ZHwA

— •Sue• (@DylanDeCat) June 12, 2017

Scientists have long known that species including birds, mammals and fish pick mates that look similar to their parents. This is known as positive sexual imprinting and it's been shown to play a role in how humans choose a partner.

Scientific studies have shown that, on average, women tend to pick partners whose faces look a bit like their father's.

So while it may make for some amusing Twitter jokes, Melania Trump is certainly not alone in this slightly creepy coincidence.

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