Prominent Figures Amplify Debunked Story About Rep. Omar, Raising Concerns About Misinformation

In a troubling demonstration of how misinformation spreads even among influential figures, Fox News host Laura Ingraham and business magnate Elon Musk recently shared a five-year-old tabloid story as breaking news to their millions of followers. Both prominent individuals presented a thoroughly debunked rumor about Representative Ilhan Omar allegedly marrying her brother as if it were fresh, exclusive information.

On December 8, Ingraham posted what she labeled an “EXCLUSIVE” story from the Daily Mail on her social media account. Musk amplified the post by quote-tweeting it with the comment, “This is morally and legally wrong.” Their combined audience of millions was exposed to what was actually a February 2020 article that has been repeatedly investigated and discredited by numerous fact-checking organizations.

The article in question relies on a single uncorroborated source, Abdihakim Osman, making allegations that have found no supporting evidence despite years of scrutiny. Major fact-checking entities including Snopes, PolitiFact, Associated Press, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and FactCheck.org have all investigated the claims and found them to be unsubstantiated.

Despite the rumor circulating since Omar’s entry into politics, no charges have ever been filed against her. Multiple investigations, including reviews by the FBI, have failed to produce evidence supporting the allegation. Omar’s refugee resettlement documentation from 1995 lists all her family members, and Ahmed Elmi—the man she allegedly married who is claimed to be her brother—does not appear on these official records.

What makes this incident particularly noteworthy is how easily the misinformation could have been avoided. A basic internet search would have revealed that the article was published in 2020, not 2025, and that the claims had been thoroughly debunked. Neither Ingraham, who has legal training and extensive journalism experience, nor Musk, who frequently emphasizes his commitment to truth on his platform X (formerly Twitter), appeared to verify the story’s age or credibility before sharing it with their substantial followings.

Media experts point to this case as a classic example of confirmation bias—the tendency to accept information that aligns with one’s existing beliefs without proper scrutiny. Rep. Omar, a progressive Muslim congresswoman, has frequently been a target of criticism from conservative commentators, potentially making negative stories about her seem more plausible to those already critical of her politics.

“This incident shows how even the most successful and influential individuals can fall prey to basic information verification failures,” said Dr. Martha Reynolds, a media studies professor at Columbia University. “When information confirms our existing viewpoints, our natural inclination to verify weakens, regardless of our education or status.”

The case raises serious concerns about the responsibility that comes with having a massive platform. When high-profile figures share misinformation, they not only give new life to old rumors but also lend their personal credibility to questionable claims. Moreover, any subsequent corrections rarely reach the same audience as the original misinformation, creating a persistent distortion in public understanding.

Ironically, Musk, who owns the social media platform X and has positioned himself as a champion of free speech fighting against misinformation, became a vector for spreading false information himself. Similarly, Ingraham, whose television show reaches millions of viewers nightly, appears to have failed to meet basic journalistic standards of fact-checking.

The incident serves as a reminder that wealth, fame, and success provide no immunity against intellectual shortcuts or protection from personal biases. In fact, these factors may sometimes exacerbate the problem through overconfidence and insulated thinking.

As social media continues to accelerate the spread of information—and misinformation—media literacy experts emphasize the importance of basic verification practices: checking dates, confirming sources, and questioning whether we’re accepting information because it’s factual or because it aligns with what we want to believe.