False quotes from famous folks are a favorite trope of misinformation sites across the internet. (Twain and Churchill being the front-runners for such misattributions.)
A blog post from the Phoenix Post claimed Wednesday that Queen Elizabeth, addressing the topic of immigration, said “Muslim refugees are dividing nationality, I fully agree with Donald Trump we should deport them to avoid bloody terrorist attacks.” (TWS Fact Check feels obligated to note that tossing “bloody” into an otherwise confused and rather incoherent sentence does not magically create a British tone.)
The quote is, of course, fake. Queen Elizabeth never said anything remotely similar to the above quotation.
Before being rated by third-party fact checkers, the post was shared by Facebook pages such as “Swamp Drainer Disciples: The Counter-Resistance” and “We Love Donald Trump!”
Readers may be inclined to think that no one actually believes this ridiculous quote was said by Queen Elizabeth. But cries of “Yes!” “amen,” “Start with the mayor of London,” “Queen Elizabeth your so right,” and “True, deport them now” on those Facebook pages may put such confidence in one’s fellow man to rest.
As good ole Abe Lincoln said, “Don’t believe everything you read on the internet.”
If you have questions about this fact check, or would like to submit a request for another fact check, email Holmes Lybrand at [email protected] or the Weekly Standard at [email protected]. For details on TWS Fact Check, see our explainer here.
