FACT CHECK: No, CNBC Did Not Post Article About Apple Removing Clown Emoji
A photo shared on X allegedly shows a CNBC article reporting Apple is removing the clown emoji because it’s allegedly used as a “far-right dog whistle.”
How pathetic are the Leftists at Apple if they’re triggered by the clown emoji? 🤡🤡🤡
Removing that emoji won’t stop Conservatives from mocking Joe Biden’s senseless policies. pic.twitter.com/mwZcOr9Dng
— FullMetalPatriot 🇺🇸 (@FullMtlPatriot) May 15, 2024
Verdict: False
CNBC did not post this article, a spokesperson for the outlet confirmed in an email to Check Your Fact.
Fact Check:
Apple has announced that it will be making a slimmer iPhone in 2025 expected to be priced higher than the iPhone Pro Max and to be released alongside the iPhone 17, according to the New York Post. Apple currently faces competition in the smartphone market as its iPhone shares have fallen by 10.5 percent in the second fiscal quarter and Samsung in the lead for the start of 2024, the outlet reported.
An X post purportedly shows a screenshot of a CNBC article about Apple potentially removing an emoji. The caption includes three clown emojis.
“Upcoming Apple device update set to remove clown emoji: sources say emoji used as a Far-Right ‘dog whistle,'” the alleged headline reads.
“How pathetic are the Leftists at Apple if they’re triggered by the clown emoji?” the post’s caption reads. “Removing that emoji won’t stop Conservatives from mocking Joe Biden’s senseless policies.”
CNBC published no such article, however. There are no matching search results for the alleged headline on CNBC’s website. (RELATED: No, New Apple Feature Does Not Automatically Share Full Name And Location)
“We can confirm that the article in question was never published on CNBC.com,” a CNBC spokesperson told Check Your Fact in an email.
There are minor differences in the style between the altered image and a genuine CNBC article. For example, the text of the altered screenshot has a subtle drop shadow and the heading says “Technology” while a real CNBC article has the heading “TECH” in a much smaller font.
Check Your Fact reached out to an Apple spokesperson for comment and will update this piece accordingly if one is received.
