Trump's Truth Social account shares fabricated Denzel Washington endorsement quote
Donald Trump's Truth Social account shared an X post quoting Denzel Washington praising him. Snopes found no evidence Washington said it, and the same words have been attributed to others.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2Donald Trump's Truth Social account shared an image of an X post that attributed to actor Denzel Washington a quote praising Trump as brave, smart and "an even better president". NewsweekN “The account shared an X post that attributed the following quote to Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington” Read at Newsweek ↗ The IndependentLC “President Trump shared a screen grab of an X post which included a fabricated quote from actor Denzel Washington” Read at The Independent ↗ Left · 1The quote reads in part: "I've never met anyone braver, smarter, or who cares more about America than Donald Trump," and ends with the speaker saying they are "proud to be a steadfast supporter". The IndependentLC “I'm proud to be a steadfast supporter, and I'll never apologize for it. God Bless America and our president,” the quote reads.” Read at The Independent ↗ Left · 1The Independent says the original post came from an X user called "Red Eagle Updates". The IndependentLC “an X user called “Red Eagle Updates”” Read at The Independent ↗
Mixed · 2Snopes found no credible sources showing that Washington said these words or otherwise praised Trump. NewsweekN “Snopes reported that searches failed to find any credible sources that Washington praised Trump” Read at Newsweek ↗ The IndependentLC “found no evidence that Washington ever uttered the words in question” Read at The Independent ↗ Mixed · 2The same words have also been falsely attributed to Matthew McConaughey and Mick Jagger, with no evidence either said them. NewsweekN “previously been attributed to Matthew McConaughey and Mick Jagger” Read at Newsweek ↗ The IndependentLC “falsely attributed to other public figures, including Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger and actor Matthew McConaughey” Read at The Independent ↗ Centre · 1Federal Election Commission records show Washington has donated to Democratic candidates, including $28,500 toward Barack Obama's election and $27,000 supporting Hillary Clinton, according to Newsweek. NewsweekN “donations of $28,500 toward Barack Obama's election and $27,000 supporting Hillary Clinton” Read at Newsweek ↗
Centre · 1Newsweek said it contacted Washington's publicists at PMK Entertainment on Monday; the coverage records no response from Washington or the White House. NewsweekN “Newsweek contacted Washington's publicists at PMK Entertainment via email on Monday.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Left · 1The Independent places the post amid a midterm campaign push, with Trump's approval at 30 percent in a Pew survey (68 percent disapproving), 32 percent in Reuters/Ipsos and 39 percent in CBS News/YouGov polls. The IndependentLC “Pew Research Center survey of 5,062 adults conducted September 28 through October 4 putting his approval at 30 percent”“Reuters/Ipsos also had him at 32 percent” Read at The Independent ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left2 outlets
- Framing
- Calls the quote "made-up" and "fabricated" and places the post within Trump's midterm campaign and record-low approval ratings.
- Emphasis
- Polling decline and midterm context.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention that Newsweek sought comment from Washington's publicists.
- Charged language
- “made-up”“fabricated”
- For example
-
“Trump shares made-up Denzel Washington quote backing the president” — The Independent
“Trump’s public approval rating is at the lowest point of his second term” — The Independent
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Short, developing report on a "debunked" endorsement, stressing fact-checks and Washington's Democratic donations.
- Emphasis
- Snopes finding, Washington's donation history and earlier misattributions.
- Leaves out or plays down
- No political or polling context; no response from Washington yet.
- Charged language
- “debunked”“falsely attributed”
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Trump's Truth Social account shared an X post with the Denzel Washington quote.
- Snopes found no evidence Washington said it.
- The same quote has been attributed to Mick Jagger and Matthew McConaughey.
- Washington has donated to Democratic candidates, per FEC records.
Where accounts differ
-
When Trump shared the post
- Left
- The Independent says Monday.
- Centre
- Newsweek says Sunday.
-
Whether the sharing was deliberate
- Left
- The Independent states flatly that Trump shared the screen grab.
- Centre
- Newsweek says the account "appeared to share" the endorsement.
Donald Trump person
Trump's account shared the post; the coverage records no comment from him or the White House.
“President Donald Trump's official Truth Social account on Sunday appeared to share a celebrity endorsement” — Newsweek
Denzel Washington person
No statement from Washington is reported. Fact checkers found no evidence he said the words, and Newsweek had asked his publicists for comment.
“Newsweek contacted Washington's publicists at PMK Entertainment via email on Monday.” — Newsweek
“has never said such a thing” — The Independent
North America2 outlets
Newsweek gives a short, fact-check-focused report.
“Fact checkers have previously found no evidence Washington said those words.” — Newsweek
Newsweek, Raw Story
UK and Ireland1 outlet
The Independent adds midterm and polling context.
“The president’s social media activity comes as he is in the midst of a midterm election blitz” — The Independent
The Independent
Left2 articles
-
Trump shares made-up Denzel Washington quote backing the president
Critical Calls the quote fabricated and ties the post to Trump's weak polling ahead of the midterms.
-
Centre1 article
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Donald Trump Shares Debunked Denzel Washington Endorsement
Neutral Brief factual report of a debunked endorsement, hedged as "appeared to share".
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 12 Oct 13:35 First NewsweekN Donald Trump Shares Debunked Denzel Washington Endorsement
- 12 Oct 15:21 +1h 46m The IndependentLC Trump shares made-up Denzel Washington quote backing the president
- 12 Oct 17:06 +3h 30m Raw StoryL Trump shares fake Denzel Washington endorsement that was debunked days earlier
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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