FACT CHECK: No, CNN Did Not Air Chyron Saying Trump Used A Child As A ‘Human Shield’ During RNC
A post shared on Facebook allegedly shows a screenshot of a CNN broadcast with a chyron that reads “Trump uses child as a human shield during RNC.”
Verdict: False
CNN did not air this, a spokesperson for the outlet confirmed in an email to Check Your Fact.
Fact Check:
Fred Trump III, Trump’s nephew, called his uncle “atomic crazy” and claimed he can be “cruel” in a recent interview on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” according to The Hill. Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump, denied Fred Trump’s claims and claims they were fabricated to help promote his recent book, the outlet reported.
The Facebook post purports CNN aired a chyron that claims Trump used a child as a shield. A photo appears to show an image of CNN anchor Jake Tapper alongside an image of former President Donald Trump behind a young girl. A chyron displays a CNN logo, the words “Republican National Convention” and the text “Breaking news Trump uses child as a human shield during RNC.”
The post’s caption reads, “This is unbelievable, why did you do this @ Jake Tapper? Have you no decency?”
This post has been digitally fabricated, however. A video on the CNN website shows the original broadcast with the same “Republican National Convention” text, but instead of the claim about Trump using a child as a “human shield,” it shows text saying “Trump delivers longest acceptance speech in recent history.”
A CNN spokesperson confirmed in an email to Check Your Fact, “that is a completely fabricated post.” (RELATED: No, Pete Souza Wasn’t Suspended From X For Claiming Trump Wasn’t Hit By A Bullet)
In small letters under the CNN logo is a watermark that reads “@CarpeDonktum.” This account originally posted the image and its bio reads, “Eternally Sarcastic Memesmith. Content I post was ‘Doctored’ by me.”