Fact Check: Did Panama really ban Donald Trump and his family from entering the country for 100 years?

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: On January 2, a post about Panama imposing a ban on President-elect Donald Trump and his entire family from entering the country for a century took the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by storm. 

The post, shared by The Halfway Post account, read, "BREAKING: The country of Panama just banned the Trump family from entering their borders for 100 years." 

Since then, the post has received a million views and thousands of comments and has been reshared across multiple social media platforms.

Fact Check: Post about Panama's ban on the Trump family is satire

So was Panama really giving the Trumps the boot? Nope.

The claim was pure satire and a brainchild of comedian Dash MacIntyre, who runs The Halfway Post. His bio sums up his content: "Halfway true comedy and satire by @DashMacIntyre. I don’t report the facts, I improve them."

Despite the obvious humor, some users took the claim seriously while others celebrated the supposed move, declaring their newfound love for Panama. Meanwhile, a Google search confirmed there was zero truth to the rumor—no ban, no Panama shutting its borders to the Trumps, fact-checking website Snopes reported.

However, it did revive real-life tensions between Trump and Panama that had recently hit the headlines.

Donald Trump threatens to try to regain control of the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal, one of the world’s most vital shipping routes, has long been a symbol of Panamanian pride. It was built in the early 20th century under US control but was gradually handed over to Panama after a 1977 treaty brokered by former President Jimmy Carter.

The final transfer happened in 1999, making 2024 the canal's 25th anniversary under full Panamanian control.

In December, just weeks before the big anniversary, Trump lashed out at Panama for charging what he called "ridiculous" fees to use the canal. He even suggested the US could take back the canal, describing its handover as a "foolish" move.

Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino clapped back, though he didn’t name Trump directly. In a video response, Mulino declared, "Every square meter of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to belong [to Panama]."

This wasn’t just political theater. The canal had been dealing with serious challenges due to Central America’s 2023 droughts.

The drop in water levels in the reservoirs that power the canal’s locks has forced authorities to limit the number of ships that can pass through the canal each day and increase transit reservation fees. Amid all this, Trump’s comments didn't help.

Donald Trump's controversial Christmas Day post about the Panama Canal and subsequent protests

On Christmas Day, Donald Trump took to Truth Social with another controversial post. "Merry Christmas to all, including to the wonderful soldiers of China, who are lovingly, but illegally, operating the Panama Canal," he wrote.

According to Snopes, Trump's claim was false as the canal is managed by Panama’s government. Having said that, the president-elect's post did touch on a growing concern, China’s increasing influence in global shipping, including ports connected to the canal.

Moreover, President Mulino disputed Trump’s allegations. "There is absolutely no Chinese interference or participation in anything that has to do with the Panama Canal," he said, as quoted by the New York Times.

By New Year’s Eve, tensions had boiled over in Panama. Protesters took to the streets and chanted phrases like "Trump, animal, leave the canal alone" and "Get out invading gringo." Signs declared Trump the "public enemy of Panama."

Photos of the protests flooded social media, showcasing the outrage Trump's comments had led to.

The Panama ban wasn't The Halfway Post's only jab at Trump. On New Year's Day, the account quipped: "BREAKING: Donald Trump is releasing new NFTs tomorrow that feature him conquering Canada, Greenland, Panama, and obesity."

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