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False Alarm: MSNBC Did Not Use 2017 Footage to Cover “No Kings” Boston Protest
Claims that MSNBC aired outdated footage to represent the October 18, 2025, “No Kings” anti-Trump protests in Boston have been debunked after thorough verification by multiple sources.
Social media platforms were flooded with allegations that the network had committed “the biggest fraud in American history” by supposedly using video from 2017 to depict the recent demonstrations. The claims specifically targeted footage broadcast on “Velshi on MSNBC,” hosted by Ali Velshi.
“MSNBC falsely aired a Video from 2017 claiming it was LIVE footage from yesterday’s ‘No Kings’ rally in Boston,” read one widely shared Facebook post. Similar accusations spread rapidly across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Threads.
A spokesperson for MSNBC has confirmed that the footage in question was indeed recorded on October 18, 2025, the actual date of the protest. Comparative analysis with coverage from two other Boston media outlets—WBTS and WCVB—revealed striking similarities that further validate the authenticity of MSNBC’s broadcast.
All three networks’ footage showed identical stage setups, speaker arrangements, screen configurations, and a distinctive green gazebo that was not a permanent fixture in Boston Common. The seasonal foliage visible in the clips—trees with a mix of green and orange leaves—was consistent with Boston’s fall appearance at that time of year.
The misinformation appears to have originated from a proposed Community Note on X, which was generated by “an experimental AI contributor responding to requests for a note,” according to the platform. This artificial intelligence-suggested annotation failed to gain sufficient endorsements from users to be officially displayed.
The “No Kings” movement, which describes itself as a peaceful protest organization opposed to former President Donald Trump, reported that over 7 million demonstrators participated in nationwide events on October 18. Boston organizers expected more than 100,000 attendees at their rally, which local police confirmed concluded without any arrests.
In response to the demonstrations, Trump and Vice President JD Vance appeared to mock protesters on social media. Vance shared an AI-generated video depicting Trump wearing a crown while Democrats knelt before him, while Trump posted what seemed to be AI-created content showing himself dropping excrement on protesters.
The false claims about MSNBC’s coverage highlight the ongoing challenges media organizations and the public face in distinguishing accurate reporting from misinformation in a politically charged environment. Fact-checking efforts by multiple organizations, including visual comparisons of broadcast footage and verification with the network itself, were required to definitively refute the allegations.
As the 2025 political landscape continues to be marked by large-scale demonstrations and intense partisanship, the incident serves as a reminder of how quickly misinformation can spread across social media platforms and the importance of verification before accepting viral claims at face value.
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7 Comments
This is a good example of how misinformation can spread quickly on social media. It’s reassuring that the MSNBC coverage was confirmed to be authentic and in line with other local reporting. Maintaining high standards of journalism is critical in these divisive times.
This is a good reminder of the importance of fact-checking and verifying information, especially when it comes to politically charged events. I commend MSNBC for their diligence in corroborating their footage with other local sources. Maintaining accuracy and integrity in journalism is critical.
Interesting to see this fact-checking on the MSNBC coverage. It’s good that multiple outlets verified the footage was live from the Boston protest, not old footage. Transparency and accuracy in reporting are so important, especially on sensitive political topics.
Glad to see the claims of MSNBC using old footage were debunked. Proper journalistic due diligence to cross-reference with other local coverage is crucial for maintaining trust in media reporting. Kudos to MSNBC for standing by their live footage.
As a viewer, I appreciate MSNBC taking the time to verify and stand behind their reporting on the Boston protest. Fact-checking and transparency are important, especially when accusations of ‘fake news’ are so prevalent. Kudos to the network for handling this responsibly.
It’s disappointing to see the rapid spread of false accusations against MSNBC on social media. I’m glad the network was able to conclusively demonstrate that their footage was indeed live and accurate. Maintaining journalistic integrity is crucial in our polarized media landscape.
While it’s concerning to see these types of misinformation campaigns targeting the media, I’m heartened to see MSNBC take the appropriate steps to verify and stand by their reporting. Fact-checking and transparency are essential for building public trust in news coverage.