Fact Check Roundup: Trump’s Zelensky claims and more
We take a look at the viral claims made by President Trump and others about Ukraine over the last two weeks.
Category Fact checks / debunkings
Read MoreFact Check Roundup: Trump’s Zelensky claims and more
Grok Neural Network Shows Handcuffed Zelensky Behind Bars in Times Square
The New York Times never published this video, and its real existence has not been confirmed online, despite the claim that it was shown in New York city centre. The footage shown in the video does not match the indicated text prompt, which alludes to editing. In addition, the video first appeared on a pro-Russian Telegram channel and was shared exclusively though propaganda sources, which confirms its fake origin.
Fake: Grok Neural Network Shows Handcuffed Zelensky Behind Bars in Times Square
The New York Times never published this video, and its real existence has not been confirmed online, despite the claim that it was shown in New York city centre. The footage shown in the video does not match the indicated text prompt, which alludes to editing. In addition, the video first appeared on a pro-Russian Telegram channel and was shared exclusively though propaganda sources, which confirms its fake origin.
Truth Social ban falsehood pushed by Russian media
WHAT WAS CLAIMED: Volodymyr Zelenskiy has blocked access to Trump's Truth Social across Ukraine.
OUR VERDICT: False. Truth Social has never been available in Ukraine.
Report claiming US paid Time magazine to honor Zelensky is fake
A video with millions of engagements on X purports to show a New York Post video reporting that the US government's humanitarian agency paid Time $4 million to feature Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on its magazine cover as its 2022 Person of the Year. But the supposed report is fake, and the claims it makes are inaccurate, according to the New York Post and Time.
Trump, Vance and Zelenskyy’s tense Oval Office meeting about Ukraine and Russia, fact-checked
- Vance: Zelenskyy has not said, "Thank you" to the United States for its support of Ukraine.
- Vance: Zelenskyy "went to Pennsylvania and campaigned for the opposition in October."
- Trump: "We gave you $350 billion."
FACT CHECK: Video Shows Airsoft Production, Not Russian Ambush Of Americans In Ukraine
A post shared on X claims to show Russians ambushing American fighters in Ukraine.
Verdict: False
The video originates from an airsoft creator. There is no indication it was taken in Ukraine.
Donald Trump Jr. is heard praising Russia in AI-generated audio clip
A fabricated audio clip is going viral on social media, in which Donald Trump Jr. allegedly voices his support for Russia on his "Triggered with Don Jr." podcast. In the clip, US President Donald Trump's son appears to say that "the US should have sent weapons to Russia, not Ukraine". We debunk these claims in this edition of Truth or Fake.
Fake video claims Trump Jr. said US should have sent weapons to Russia, not Ukraine | Snopes.com
The video was digitally created, likely using AI-powered software to generate synthetic audio mimicking Trump Jr.'s voice.
No, Zelenskyy hasn’t blocked access to Truth Social in Ukraine
Our rating: False.
A spokesperson for Truth Social's parent company said the claim is false and the social media platform has never been available in the country.