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It's hard to believe some people got duped by these absurd fake new stories.
See Chron.com's list of the craziest fake news stories people fell for in 2017.
It's hard to believe some people got duped by these absurd fake new stories.
See Chron.com's list of the craziest fake news stories people fell for in 2017.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai attempted to take a pornstar out for dinner.
On Twitter, a fake screenshot of Ajit Pai messaging a pornstar through Twitter to tell her he was a "very big fan" and asking her out for dinner went viral during the mid-December repeal of net neutrality. In reality, the image was fabricated and pushed out by a satire entertainment site.
less
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai attempted to take a pornstar out for dinner.
On Twitter, a fake screenshot of Ajit Pai messaging a pornstar through Twitter to tell her he was a "very big fan" and asking her out for
... more
Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais, STF
Palestinians recognize Texas as part of Mexico
After Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, recognizing the city as the capital of Israel, a satire site claimed the Palestinian National Authority reacted to the controversial move by recognizing Texas as part of Mexico.
less
Palestinians recognize Texas as part of Mexico
After Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, recognizing the city as the capital of Israel, a satire site claimed
... more
Photo: House & Brown
Trump ordered execution of Obama-pardoned turkeys
A satirical January 2017 news story that grew in popularity around Thanksgiving claimed that Obama's turkey pardons "were done so in a manner that was both deceitful and hazardous to the American people" and that Trump used his executive powers to destroy the "surviving creatures," reversing Obama's pardons.
less
Trump ordered execution of Obama-pardoned turkeys
A satirical January 2017 news story that grew in popularity around Thanksgiving claimed that Obama's turkey pardons "were done so in a manner that was both
... more
Photo: Jabin Botsford
Keanu Reeves ratted out Hollywood elites that use baby blood to get high
In November, a fake news website claimed that Keanu Reeves said Hollywood elites use “the blood of babies to get high" and warned that the revelations were "just the tip of the iceberg." The false news item was even promoted by Google, according to media watchdog
Mediamatters.
less
Keanu Reeves ratted out Hollywood elites that use baby blood to get high
In November, a fake news website claimed that Keanu Reeves said Hollywood elites use “the blood of babies to get high" and warned that
... more
Photo: GETTY
Morgan Freeman asked Trump to jail Hillary Clinton
In October, a fake news site claimed Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman asked Trump to jail Clinton for her "unlawful deeds" and to "restore public faith in government institutions."
less
Morgan Freeman asked Trump to jail Hillary Clinton
In October, a fake news site claimed Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman asked Trump to jail Clinton for her "unlawful deeds" and to "restore public faith in
... more
Photo: Jessica Forde, HONS
Melania Trump stole Michelle Obama's speech
A September 2017 meme featured two similar speeches side by side, claiming one was from Michelle Obama in 2014 and the other from Melania Trump in 2017. While Obama's speech was real and delivered to the United Nations, Trump's speech is fabricated and not actually plagiarized.
less
Melania Trump stole Michelle Obama's speech
A September 2017 meme featured two similar speeches side by side, claiming one was from Michelle Obama in 2014 and the other from Melania Trump in 2017. While
... more
Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Staff
Joel Osteen sailed through flooded Houston after Harvey on a yacht.
A late August news story from a satirical Christian culture site joked that Lakewood Church pastor Joel Osteen had sailed through Houston after Harvey on his yacht, the "S.S. Blessed,” to hand out copies of his book.
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Joel Osteen sailed through flooded Houston after Harvey on a yacht.
A late August news story from a satirical Christian culture site joked that Lakewood Church pastor Joel Osteen had sailed through Houston
... more
Photo: Richard Vogel, STF
Ohio cemetery exhumes bodies of Confederate soldiers
During the national debate about Confederate symbols and statues in public spaces, an Ohio satire site published an article claiming that the bodies of Confederate soldiers were being removed from their resting place.
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Ohio cemetery exhumes bodies of Confederate soldiers
During the national debate about Confederate symbols and statues in public spaces, an Ohio satire site published an article claiming that the bodies of
... more
Photo: Calla Kessler, The Washington Post
Houston's Waste Management Inc. offers to pick up dead bodies after TrumpcareWhile Trumpcare was still being debated in July, a satirical fake news site claimed Waste Managment would offer "weekly pickup" for people killed by the loss of health coverage.
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Houston's Waste Management Inc. offers to pick up dead bodies after Trumpcare
While Trumpcare was still being debated in July, a satirical fake news site claimed Waste Managment would offer "weekly pickup" for
... more
Photo: Jerry Baker, For The Chronicle
Fans clapped at Radiohead band members tuning their instruments, thinking it was a song
A tweet that went viral claimed that fans at a United Kingdom music festival clapped for the band Radiohead as they tuned their instruments.
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Fans clapped at Radiohead band members tuning their instruments, thinking it was a song
A tweet that went viral claimed that fans at a United Kingdom music festival clapped for the band Radiohead as they tuned
... more
Photo: Mark C. Austin
Bernie Sanders introduced a bill to force Christian politicians to wear a "scarlet cross"
In June, a satirical Christian news site claimed Bernie Sanders proposed a bill in Congress dubbed the "Hateful Bigot Identification Act," forcing elected Christian officials to wear a visible scarlet cross on their clothing.
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Bernie Sanders introduced a bill to force Christian politicians to wear a "scarlet cross"
In June, a satirical Christian news site claimed Bernie Sanders proposed a bill in Congress dubbed the "Hateful Bigot
... more
Photo: Jose Luis Magana, FRE
Ted Cruz pushed for southern states to build nuclear weapons to stop war against Christians
In June, a fake news site published an article citing a false statement by Senator Ted Cruz, claiming the lawmaker wanted southern states to build a nuclear bomb to defend their "traditional values."
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Ted Cruz pushed for southern states to build nuclear weapons to stop war against Christians
In June, a fake news site published an article citing a false statement by Senator Ted Cruz, claiming the lawmaker
... more
Photo: Carolyn Kaster, STF
Trump calls KFC founder “tremendous Civil War hero"
In May, a humor and satire site claimed Donald Trump called KFC's Colonel Sanders a "Civil War" hero that saved an army at Valley Forge by feeding them with his chicken.
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Trump calls KFC founder “tremendous Civil War hero"
In May, a humor and satire site claimed Donald Trump called KFC's Colonel Sanders a "Civil War" hero that saved an army at Valley Forge by feeding them with
... more
Photo: Wilfredo Lee, STF
Snoop Dogg arrested for inciting violence against Trump
In March, after rapper Snoop Dogg released a music video in which he fires a prank gun at Donald Trump, a fake news site published a story claiming the rapper had been arrested by the Secret Service for "violent threats" against Trump. The false article claimed Snoop Dogg said he hoped someone in the White House would shoot Trump if he was "about to start a war."
lessSnoop Dogg arrested for inciting violence against Trump
In March, after rapper Snoop Dogg released a music video in which he fires a prank gun at Donald Trump, a fake news site published a story claiming the
... more
See some of the biggest fake news stories that left readers confused and hoodwinked.
See some of the biggest fake news stories that left readers confused and hoodwinked.
Image 21 of 42
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Fake new stories that actually fooled people
Donald Trump is returning as a producer on "Celebrity Apprentice."
A rumor circulated that Trump will be returning to "Celebrity Apprentice." Although he will be credited as a producer, he will not be involved with the production of the show.
Source: Snopes
lessDonald Trump is returning as a producer on "Celebrity Apprentice."
A rumor circulated that Trump will be returning to "Celebrity Apprentice." Although he will be credited as a producer, he will not be involved
... more
Image 22 of 42
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Fake new stories that actually fooled people
Millions of illegal votes were cast for Clinton
According to NPR, a story from Alex Jones' Infowars made an unfounded claim that millions of people illegally voted for Clinton. The fake news eventually made its way onto the president-elect's twitter.
Source: NPR
lessMillions of illegal votes were cast for Clinton
According to NPR, a story from Alex Jones' Infowars made an unfounded claim that millions of people illegally voted for Clinton. The fake news eventually made its
... more
Image 23 of 42
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Fake new stories that actually fooled people
The majority of anti-Trump protesters did not vote
ZeroHedge, an Oregon-based news outlet, reported that 60 percent of arrested anti-Trump protesters didn't vote. According to Snopes, this unproven claim omitted important variables.
Source: Snopes
lessThe majority of anti-Trump protesters did not vote
ZeroHedge, an Oregon-based news outlet, reported that 60 percent of arrested anti-Trump protesters didn't vote. According to Snopes, this unproven claim omitted
... more
Image 24 of 42
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Fake new stories that actually fooled people
An Ohio postal worker destroyed ballots cast for Trump
A joke on Twitter was picked up by a conservative blogger. The fake story eventually made its way to Rush Limbaugh.
Link to tweet: @randygdub
An Ohio postal worker destroyed ballots cast for Trump
A joke on Twitter was picked up by a conservative blogger. The fake story eventually made its way to Rush Limbaugh.
Link to tweet: @randygdub
Image 26 of 42
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Fake new stories that actually fooled people
Elizabeth Warren endorsed Bernie Sanders
A webpage pretending to be the New York Times published a fake story about Elizabeth Warren endorsing Bernie Sanders.
Source: The New York Times
Elizabeth Warren endorsed Bernie Sanders
A webpage pretending to be the New York Times published a fake story about Elizabeth Warren endorsing Bernie Sanders.
Source: The New York Times
Image 27 of 42
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Fake new stories that actually fooled people
Donald Trump called Republicans "the dumbest group of voters."
A quote that said, "If I were to run, I'd run as a Republican. They're the dumbest group of voters in the country. They believe anything on Fox News. I could lie and they'd still eat it up. I bet my numbers would be terrific," was made up and attributed to Donald Trump.
Source: Snopes
lessDonald Trump called Republicans "the dumbest group of voters."
A quote that said, "If I were to run, I'd run as a Republican. They're the dumbest group of voters in the country. They believe anything on Fox
... more
Image 28 of 42
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Fake new stories that actually fooled people
Hillary Clinton went into a drunken "uncontrollable rage" during election night.
Popularized by Breitbart, this fake news story claimed that Clinton began yelling and screaming obscenities during her loss on election night.
Source: Snopes
lessHillary Clinton went into a drunken "uncontrollable rage" during election night.
Popularized by Breitbart, this fake news story claimed that Clinton began yelling and screaming obscenities during her loss on
... more
Image 29 of 42
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Fake new stories that actually fooled people
Boxes filled with fake Hillary Clinton ballots were found hidden in a warehouse
The Christian Times Newspaper reported that an electrical worker had discovered tens of thousands of fake ballots for Hilary Clinton. No such discovery was made.
Source: Snopes
lessBoxes filled with fake Hillary Clinton ballots were found hidden in a warehouse
The Christian Times Newspaper reported that an electrical worker had discovered tens of thousands of fake ballots for Hilary
... more
Image 31 of 42
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Fake new stories that actually fooled people
Honey bees added to the endangered species list.
Many outlets accurately reported that seven species of yellow-faced bees native to Hawaii were added to the endangered species list. Rumors circulated that honey
... more
Image 32 of 42
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Fake new stories that actually fooled people
Democrats and Washington insiders run a child-sex ring
Dubbed "Pizzagate," conspiracy theorist argued that a popular pizza joint in Washington D.C. ran a child trafficking ring in their basement. Among many other things that proved the story completely
false, the restaurant had no basement.
less
Democrats and Washington insiders run a child-sex ring
Dubbed "Pizzagate," conspiracy theorist argued that a popular pizza joint in Washington D.C. ran a child trafficking ring in their basement. Among many
... more
Photo: Jose Luis Magana, FRE
Image 33 of 42
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Fake new stories that actually fooled people
Michele Obama "jumps ship" on Hillary Clinton
A fake story by "Your News Wire" claimed Michele Obama deleted endorsements of Hillary Clinton from her twitter after the reopening of the FBI investigation.
Source: CNN
lessMichele Obama "jumps ship" on Hillary Clinton
A fake story by "Your News Wire" claimed Michele Obama deleted endorsements of Hillary Clinton from her twitter after the reopening of the FBI investigation.
Source:
... more
Image 34 of 42
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Fake new stories that actually fooled people
The latest Star Wars movie is anti-Trump
After writers of the latest Star Wars movie, Rogue One, expressed anti-Trump and pro-Hillary views on twitter, a popular twitter user accused the movie of re-shooting to add anti-Trump scenes. One of the writers described the rumor as "completely fake."
Source: The Huffington Post
lessThe latest Star Wars movie is anti-Trump
After writers of the latest Star Wars movie, Rogue One, expressed anti-Trump and pro-Hillary views on twitter, a popular twitter user accused the movie of re-shooting to
... more
Image 36 of 42
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Fake new stories that actually fooled people
300,000 Wisconsin voters turned away at polls due to voter ID laws.
A rumor that spread on twitter claimed that voter ID laws gave Trump a slim victory in Wisconsin. According to Politifact, the state does not keep figures for people turned away at the polls.
Source: Politifact
less300,000 Wisconsin voters turned away at polls due to voter ID laws.
A rumor that spread on twitter claimed that voter ID laws gave Trump a slim victory in Wisconsin. According to Politifact, the state does not
... more
Image 37 of 42
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Fake new stories that actually fooled people
The Great Barrier Reef is "dead."
An Outside Magazine Online article published an obituary of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, claiming it had died after a "long illness." According to CNN, "There is a big difference between dead and dying."
Source: CNN
lessThe Great Barrier Reef is "dead."
An Outside Magazine Online article published an obituary of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, claiming it had died after a "long illness." According to CNN, "There is a big
... more
Image 38 of 42
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Fake new stories that actually fooled people
Due to election results, Yale makes tests optional
A fake rumor that Yale canceled or made student tests optional spread quickly. In reality, only some professors changed the test dates or made them "take home" tests. According to Snopes, these changes were due to the fact that students stayed up late during election night, not that they were too upset to take tests.
Source: Snopes
lessDue to election results, Yale makes tests optional
A fake rumor that Yale canceled or made student tests optional spread quickly. In reality, only some professors changed the test dates or made them "take
... more
Image 39 of 42
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Fake new stories that actually fooled people
Thousands of Trump supporters chant, "We hate blacks. We hate Muslims."
A fake twitter account claimed that people at a Trump rally chanted racist things, but no evidence exists.
Source: Politifact
Thousands of Trump supporters chant, "We hate blacks. We hate Muslims."
A fake twitter account claimed that people at a Trump rally chanted racist things, but no evidence exists.
Source: Politifact
Image 41 of 42
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Fake new stories that actually fooled people
Mike Pence wants to "electrocute the gay out of teenagers."
While Pence is quoted as saying he supports the use of federal funding to change sexual behavior, he never suggested using electric shock therapy.
Source: Snopes
lessMike Pence wants to "electrocute the gay out of teenagers."
While Pence is quoted as saying he supports the use of federal funding to change sexual behavior, he never suggested using electric shock
... more
The funniest, most absurd fake news stories of 2017
Everyone has been in a situation where they read something shocking, only to find out days later that it was exaggerated, or just plain fake.
With so much information available online and the ability to share it rapidly via social media, it can be easy to get duped by a fake headline.
Luckily, even before the term "fake news" was popularized by Donald Trump, rumor-busting site Snopes.com was hard at working separating fact from fiction.
HOLIDAY SPIRIT: The best Christmas movies to watch on Netflix or Hulu this weekend
To help appreciate their work, Chron.com put together a list of the dumbest and most baffling fake new stories the fact-checking site had to set straight.
Above: See the funniest, most absurd fake news stories of 2017 as well as 2016.
Fernando Ramirez is a reporter for Chron.com and the Houston Chronicle. You can read more of his stories here and follow him on Twitter at @fernramirez93.
http://www.chron.com/news/nation-world/article/fake-news-stories-trump-real-rumor-2017-media-12451358.php
