In April 2024, a declare started to unfold throughout X (previously Twitter) that former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines had gained a $10 million “defamation lawsuit” towards “The View” co-host Whoopi Goldberg.
“Who’s glad she lastly acquired Justice?” one such post on the social media platform stated. Hooked up to the put up was a graphic that requested folks to go away a thumbs-up in the event that they had been glad Gaines “acquired justice,” together with a headline that repeated the declare.
In addition to the X posts, we discovered a put up on TikTok from March 2024 that unfold the declare as properly.
The declare unfold from an October 2023 article revealed by SpaceXMania that stated:
Breaking: Riley Gaines Wins $10 Million ‘Defamation Lawsuit’ Towards Whoopi Goldberg
In a story that has threaded its manner by courts, tv studios, and the ever-buzzing hive of social media, Riley Gaines, a reputation now synonymous with authorized victory, has ascended the proverbial podium as soon as once more. This time, she isn’t just basking within the ethereal glow of athletic accomplishment however is swathed within the vindication that comes from a triumph of a unique kind—a whopping $10 million defamation lawsuit win towards Whoopi Goldberg.
We discovered Facebook posts that included the article, in addition to a YouTube video that just about copied the SpaceXMania article word-for-word. As well as, a number of web sites copied the SpaceXMania article in the identical method, together with popularnews71.net/, newsc5.com, newsbina.fun, faithhopel.info, and lifestory25.com.
This story will not be true. As initially revealed, the SpaceXMania article featured a “Satire” label above its headline. SpaceXMania describes its output as being humorous or satirical in nature, as follows:
Please be aware that the article beneath the class “SATIRE” are satirical in nature and are usually not meant to be taken severely. These articles are supposed to be humorous and are sometimes completely made up. We make no declare that the knowledge introduced in these articles is true or correct.
We have beforehand fact-checked different satirical experiences which have related Gaines and Goldberg, such because the declare that Gaines and conservative influencer Candace Owens joined forces to “destroy” Goldberg
For background, right here is why we generally write about satire/humor.