Video shows someone wearing a Donald Trump mask appeared in court instead of the former president.
Donald Trump recently testified in his civil fraud trial, not someone in a Trump mask
If your time is short
- Former President Donald Trump’s face is distorted in an altered video of his civil fraud trial in New York. Original footage shows what he really looked like — himself.
Former President Donald Trump testified Nov. 6 in his civil fraud trial in New York, but some social media users are pointing to an Instagram video as evidence that Trump himself didn’t take the stand.
“So yesterday Donald Trump was in court right? Do you believe this is Donald Trump? Hyper realistic silicone masks are real,” read the text below a video of someone who indeed looked like a Trump impersonator.
But that’s because the video has been altered — not because someone was wearing a Trump mask to impersonate the former president in court.
An Instagram post sharing the video was flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.)
Footage of the trial shared on The Associated Press’ website shows Trump as he actually appeared, looking very much like himself and not the smooth-faced distortion in the Instagram post.
Some social media users commenting on the post suggested a TikTok filter was used to film TV coverage of the trial, altering Trump’s appearance.
What we do know: This video isn’t evidence that a Trump impersonator appeared at the former president’s trial. We rate that claim Pants on Fire!
Our Sources
Instagram post, Nov. 7, 2023
Instagram post, Nov. 7, 2023
The Associated Press, Trump spars with judge and slams NY attorney general at a trial that imperils his real estate empire, Nov. 6, 2023
TikTok Chad filter, visited Nov. 9, 2023
