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Donald Trump shares viral endorsement from Denzel Washington on Truth Social. Then the actor’s publicist says the claim is fabricated

Fake news.

President Donald Trump recently shared a viral endorsement from Denzel Washington on Truth Social that had already been proven false. The post originated from an X account known as Red Eagle Updates. It featured a quote attributed to the Oscar-winning actor. According to Newsweek, the quote claimed Washington had never met anyone braver or smarter than Trump. It also labeled Trump ‘a great friend’ and a ‘great president’.

The post even included a call to action for followers on Truth Social. It asked users to choose if they agreed with Denzel with ‘yes’ or ‘no’ options. The whole fiasco unfolded over the weekend. The post depicts a growing pattern involving fabricated political statements, frequently linked to Washington.

Fact-checkers had already debunked this specific claim before it reached Truth Social. Snopes had published a report on October 10 regarding the matter. The site found no evidence that Washington ever made those remarks. Searches revealed no credible sources for the quote. The same text was falsely attributed to other celebrities like Matthew McConaughey and Mick Jagger too. No evidence exists that either of them made such comments.

This is not the first time Washington has been the subject of fake political rumors

The veteran actor’s publicist, Alan Nierob, has been forced to address these claims many times. Back in 2016, a false report claimed the actor backed Trump. The report also alleged that he spoke against former president Barack Obama. Nierob responded to that viral claim during an interview with the BBC. He did not mince his words when addressing the situation which he called a “100% complete fabrication.”

The actor has faced similar issues in subsequent years. A 2018 claim suggested Washington called Obama the criminal-in-chief. Fact-checkers found no evidence for that statement either. Another bogus story claimed Washington had enough of the Democratic Party and its lies. Once again, his team had to intervene to clarify the truth. His publicist stated, “Without confirming his political affiliation, this post is a complete fabrication.”

Other instances have occurred throughout this year. Some posts suggested Washington ripped up his Democratic Party card. They claimed he now supports Trump with full enthusiasm. Fact-checkers have consistently debunked these comments as well. 

Federal Election Commission records provide a different picture of the actor’s history. Washington previously donated to Democratic candidates in past elections. He gave $28,500 to Barack Obama in 2008. He also donated $27,000 to Hillary Clinton in 2016. That was the same year she ran against Trump.

Trump has a history of sharing unverified content on his account

In August 2024, his Truth Social account shared a claim about Jamie Dimon. The post claimed the JPMorgan Chase CEO endorsed Trump for president. The bank responded quickly to the claim. A spokesperson confirmed that Dimon had not endorsed anyone. Trump later addressed the situation during an interview with NBC News. He claimed, “Somebody put it up. I don’t know.”

AI-generated images have also appeared on his social media feeds. One example involved posts suggesting pop icon Taylor Swift’s supporters backed him. Swift later endorsed Kamala Harris in September. She cited those false images as a reason for her public support.

These incidents show how quickly misinformation can spread online. It is easy for users to get caught up in viral content. People often share these posts without verifying the origin. Celebrities like Washington are frequent targets for these types of fabrications. It is important to look for credible sources before believing such claims. The pattern of false quotes continues to challenge the accuracy of online discourse.

Red Eagle Updates has over 700,000 followers on X. The account’s reach explains why the story gained so much traction. Trump amplified the message to his own audience on Truth Social. It is a reminder that even high-profile accounts can share inaccurate information.

Shortly before sharing the Washington quote, Trump shared another post

This post came from conservative commentator Nick Sortor. It mentioned that Trump danced off the stage in Tennessee. The post referenced a two-hour speech. It also claimed that Democrats want people to think he is losing it.

The landscape of political communication is shifting rapidly. Viral posts often bypass traditional verification methods. This leads to confusion among the public. It is vital to rely on confirmed facts from reliable sources. Claims that seem too perfect often lack evidence. 

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A newsroom lifer who has wrestled countless stories into submission, Terrina is drawn to politics, culture, animals, music and offbeat tales. Fueled by unending curiosity and masterful exasperation, her power tools of choice are wit, warmth and precision.