Fact Check: This Is Supposedly a Real Pic of Trump Posing with a MAGA Supporter. We Beg To Differ
Claim:
A photo shared online in June 2024 authentically showed Donald Trump with a puffy, darkened face posing with a MAGA supporter.
Rating:
On June 18, 2024, an X user posted a photo appearing to show former U.S. President Donald Trump with a darkened, puffy face posing with a MAGA fan — referring to supporters of Trump who use the slogan "Make America Great Again."
Referencing South Park character Mr Hanky, the X user wrote: "What the f*** is this?! Has Trump turned into Mr Hanky the Christmas Poo?!"
(X account @supertanskiii)
Similar posts appeared elsewhere on X, where one user asked: "Is this photoshopped or is this guy in trouble?" Another questioned whether the picture was real.
The photo also cropped up on Threads and in multiple Reddit posts.
Together, they had amassed more than 830,000 views at the time of this writing.
However, the image was not real. It was created and first posted by an X account that did not label its content as satirical, but was well known for posting satire, which is why we have rated the photo as "Originated as Satire."
The X account, named @GaryPetersonUSA, told Snopes via Direct Message: "Gary is a satirical character. I created the picture of he and Trump. It's edited."
Even on his way to the toilet, President Trump still stops for a photo with his biggest fan! pic.twitter.com/G6Db6ON71u
— Gary Peterson 🇺🇸 (@GaryPetersonUSA) June 18, 2024
GaryPetersonUSA said he "made Trump's face puffier and put Gary's [the satirical character] face over the other guy."
He showed Snopes the original picture, which could be found in social media posts on X and Threads.
Looking great. pic.twitter.com/Z6QWnbbUUB
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) June 17, 2024
GaryPetersonUSA had posted numerous edited photos on X containing the former U.S. president.
We addressed another post by GaryPetersonUSA on May 3, 2024, when the account jokingly claimed an image showed MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell at a Trump rally.
For background, here is why we sometimes write about satire/humor.
Sources:
Kasprak, Alex. 'Pic Shows MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell at Trump Rally?' Snopes, 3 May 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/zombie-mike-lindell-trump/.
South Park Studios. Mr. Hankey the Christmas Poo 💩. 2022. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSp-KFJXJVo.
'Threads.Net'. Threads, https://www.threads.net/@texaspaulschroder/post/C8U71pzu7vU. Accessed 19 June 2024.
'X.Com'. X (Formerly Twitter), https://x.com/GaryPetersonUSA/status/1802868296842117221. Accessed 19 June 2024.
'---'. X (Formerly Twitter), https://x.com/GaryPetersonUSA. Accessed 19 June 2024.
'---'. X (Formerly Twitter), https://x.com/RonFilipkowski/status/1802671009990107644. Accessed 19 June 2024.
'---'. X (Formerly Twitter), https://x.com/GaryPetersonUSA/status/1801711393235755370. Accessed 19 June 2024.
'---'. X (Formerly Twitter), https://x.com/GaryPetersonUSA/status/1801215755934904324. Accessed 19 June 2024.