‘This is a Fake Image’: Washington Post Forced to Shut Down Viral Column Hoax

Alex GriffingAug 5th, 2024, 2:48 pm
 
Washington Post

(AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)

The Washington Post was forced to clarify on Monday that an image of a column pre-made to endorse whoever Vice President Kamala Harris chose as her running mate was “fake.”

The Post’s PR account on X shared the image and wrote, “Please note: This is a fake image that is circulating.” The image included an op-ed headline that read, “Why TK TK is the perfect VP choice for Kamala Harris.” The fake headline was complete with a picture and had the byline of Jennifer Rubin attached to it.

The Washington Free Beacon’s Andrew Stiles shared the fake image and wrote, “oops.” Many others fell for the fake image online and expressed their outrage at the Post, with many name-checking the Post’s owner Jeff Bezos.

Ari Fleischer, the former Bush press secretary turned Fox contributor, questioned the image’s legitimacy, writing, “Tell me this isn’t real? Did you actually do this?” Reactions like Fleischer’s and how quickly the image spread online led to the Post clarifying that the image was indeed fake.

Below are some more reactions:


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Alex Griffing - Senior Editor

Alex Griffing is a Senior Editor at Mediaite. Send tips via email: alexanderg@mediaite.com. Follow him on Twitter: @alexgriffing