Fact Check: Did Eric Trump say Trump's $90 payment to seniors will help them with diesel costs?
WASHINGTON, DC: After President Donald Trump announced $90 for seniors ahead of the midterm election, a rumor spread on social media platforms claiming that the president’s son, Eric Trump, said the payment would help beneficiaries with diesel costs, among others. The claim has sparked criticism and questions about its authenticity, prompting a fact-check.
Claim: Eric Trump said Donald Trump's $90 would help with diesel costs
The claim spread as a post on Facebook, showing a graphic card of Fox News with a photo of Eric Trump, accompanied by a quote attributed to him, stating, “The $90 checks going to 20 million seniors will help them with housing cost, reducing cost of diesel, or upcoming kitchen remodels and vacations.”
The claim has drawn mockery and criticism from online users, suggesting that many believe it's true, while others remain skeptical or dismiss it as fake.
Fact Check: The claim was intended as satire
The claim, however, is false, as there are no reports of the president’s son making such a remark.
There are also no official statements, press coverage, or social media posts from Eric in which he was heard making such a remark.
A search of Fox News’ website and social media pages found no graphic card attributing the quote to Eric.
If he had really made such a remark, prominent news media outlets would have widely covered it, making headlines. A Google search for the claim also yielded no credible news reports.
Moreover, the quote includes several signs of fabrication, including watermarks stating, ‘Mrs Putin Satire,’ a Facebook parody account, which describes itself in the bio as ‘satire or parody.’ A closer look at the graphic card reveals that Fox News is misspelled as ‘Fox Mews.’
Donald Trump $90 medicare payment for seniors
The claim surfaced after Trump announced that more than 20 million beneficiaries will receive $90 each to help pay Medicare Part B premiums, ahead of the November midterm election.
According to the White House, the initiative will be the first time a presidential administration has used the Medicare Improvement Fund.
Eligible beneficiaries are expected to receive the money in early October, and those with direct deposit will receive electronic payments, while others will get checks at their medicare mailing address.
The White House calls the move a way to lower seniors’ costs and says the fund should directly benefit medicare recipients.
