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In a move that has raised eyebrows across the political spectrum, former President Donald Trump shared a debunked conspiracy theory with his 11 million Truth Social followers on Sunday, falsely claiming that Barack Obama has received $40 million in “royalties linked to Obamacare.”
The baseless assertion suggests that Obama has been collecting $2.5 million annually since 2010 for the use of his name in reference to the Affordable Care Act, his signature healthcare legislation. Trump’s post consisted of a screenshot containing the false information with a one-word comment: “WOW!”
This conspiracy theory has circulated in conservative circles for years, having been repeatedly fact-checked and disproven since at least 2017. The claim originated on America’s Last Line of Defense, a satirical website known for creating fictional news stories designed to provoke outrage among conservative readers.
The latest iteration of this falsehood gained traction in February when it appeared on Facebook via America’s Last Line of Defense and the Dunning-Kruger-Times, both satirical platforms operated by Christopher Blair, a Maine-based content creator sometimes referred to as the “godfather of fake news.” Blair’s websites specialize in publishing outlandish fabricated stories that often fool unsuspecting readers who mistake them for legitimate news.
Trump’s decision to amplify this disinformation comes at a politically charged moment. The former president spent much of the weekend criticizing the Affordable Care Act on social media while Senate Democrats were working to extend tax credits for Americans who rely on the healthcare program.
The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding whether Trump was aware he was sharing fictional content with his substantial following.
This incident follows a pattern of prominent Republicans falling for satirical content. In 2023, Blair told The Guardian that Texas Governor Greg Abbott was among the “dumbest people in the country” after Abbott shared a fake article about Texas from the Dunning-Kruger-Times, apparently believing it to be genuine news.
Media literacy experts have long warned about the dangers of public figures sharing unverified information. Dr. Claire Wardle, co-founder of the Information Futures Lab at Brown University, has previously noted that “when influential people share misinformation, it can quickly reach millions, creating confusion and undermining public trust in legitimate institutions.”
The spread of healthcare-related misinformation is particularly concerning as it can impact public health outcomes and policy discussions. The Affordable Care Act has been a politically divisive issue since its inception, with Republicans, including Trump during his presidency, repeatedly attempting to repeal it.
Despite numerous challenges, including a Supreme Court case that threatened to overturn it, the Affordable Care Act has remained largely intact. It currently provides health insurance coverage to approximately 40 million Americans through marketplace plans and Medicaid expansion.
Trump’s administration previously made repealing and replacing the ACA a central campaign promise, though those efforts ultimately failed in Congress. Healthcare policy is expected to be a significant focus in upcoming political debates as both parties position themselves ahead of future elections.
Social media platforms have implemented various measures to combat misinformation in recent years, though critics argue these efforts remain insufficient. Truth Social, Trump’s own platform where he shared the false claim, has faced scrutiny over its content moderation policies.
As digital media continues to blur the line between satire and legitimate news, this incident highlights the ongoing challenges of information verification in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.
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14 Comments
I’m skeptical of this story. Claiming Obama earned $40 million in ‘royalties’ from the Affordable Care Act seems far-fetched. I’d like to see solid evidence before believing something like that.
Agreed. This sounds like another attempt to spread misinformation and sow doubt. We should be relying on reputable, fact-based sources when it comes to political claims.
Interesting, I wasn’t aware of this allegation. As an observer of US politics, I’m curious to understand the reasoning behind it. What’s the basis for claiming Obama profited personally from the ACA?
From what I can tell, this claim originated on a satirical website and has been thoroughly debunked. I wouldn’t put much stock in it without credible evidence to back it up.
I’m curious to learn more about the evidence behind this alleged ‘royalty’ payment. As an observer of US politics, I’d like to understand the reasoning and any credible sources that support this claim.
From the information provided, it seems this claim has been thoroughly debunked. I would encourage looking to reputable, fact-based sources when evaluating political allegations of this nature.
It’s concerning to see this kind of unsubstantiated claim being shared, even by a former President. I hope people will take the time to fact-check these types of allegations before spreading them further.
Absolutely. In this era of misinformation, it’s crucial that we rely on reputable, fact-based sources when it comes to political and policy issues. Spreading unverified claims can be quite damaging.
Wow, that’s quite a claim from Trump. I’m curious to learn more about the facts behind this alleged ‘royalty’ payment. Does anyone have credible information on this?
From what I’ve read, this claim has been thoroughly debunked. It appears to be a baseless conspiracy theory that has been circulating for years.
This sounds like another attempt to discredit the Affordable Care Act and cast doubt on its origins. I’d encourage everyone to refer to authoritative sources when evaluating the merits of such claims.
Agreed. It’s important to be skeptical of sensational claims, especially when they seem designed to sow political division. Fact-checking is crucial in this era of misinformation.
Interesting claim, but as others have noted, this appears to be a baseless conspiracy theory that has been disproven. I’d encourage everyone to rely on verified information from credible sources when it comes to political issues.
Agreed. It’s important to be discerning about the information we consume, especially when it comes to political claims. Fact-checking and using reputable sources are crucial in this era of misinformation.