A piece from the website Business Standard News claims that Sarah Palin had, in an interview with One America News Network, questioned why NATO did not aid the U.S. during World War II.
The quote is false and the website claims to be satirical. But the fake quote is wrapped up between actual reporting of the recent NATO summit alongside real quotes from President Donald Trump. In fact, the article purports to fact-check a claim from Trump, even linking to an article from FactCheck.org.
So, is it satire or simply a way of misleading readers for clicks while playing the “it’s a joke!” card when called on the falsehood?
The Facebook page @StopDjTrump (a.k.a “Wake Up America”) seems to believe the quote is real, and so does its followers.
“The sad part about this is millions of people will begin to think the same thing because she said it,” one reader of @StopDjTrump said in a comment that received 262 likes/reactions. “Is she really this damn stupid or is she spreading propaganda like the President. Sarah Palin, FYI, NATO and The United Nations were formed after WW II.” (TWS Fact Check wonders if the commenter might have a mirror on hand.)
Other commenters, who received a similar number of reactions, also believed the Business Standard’s claim:
TWS Fact check will spare readers from the 1,500 other comments that engage in a similar disdain for all things Palin.
The “satirical” article has been shared a few thousand times on Facebook and was reposted on several websites who do not claim to be satirical.
In its disclaimer — which is hardly visible amongst the barrage of pop-up ads — under the about page, Business Standard claims that it “is a satirical site designed to parody the 24-hour news cycle” and “the stories are outlandish.” This is incorrect. The only part of the report that is “satirical” or made-up is the Sarah Palin quote and OAN context. About 90 percent of the article, while mixed with opinion, presents accurate information.
If you have questions about this fact check, or would like to submit a request for another fact check, email Holmes Lybrand at ‘s [email protected] or the Weekly Standard at [email protected]. For details on TWS Fact Check, see our explainer here.
