Fact Check: Did Putin and Netanyahu revoke offers to let Trump flee to their countries if impeached?
WASHINGTON, DC: A claim has been circulating on social media platforms that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once offered President Donald Trump refuge in their countries if impeached and have now revoked the offer. The claim has sparked questions and speculation, prompting a fact-check.
Claim: Israel and Russia revoked their offers to provide Trump refuge if he gets impeached
A viral X (formerly Twitter) post from the @HalfwayPost account states, “Donald Trump is reportedly freaking out because Putin and Netanyahu have both revoked their offers to let him flee to their countries when he inevitably gets impeached and removed next year after Democrats investigate his rampant fraud and abuses of power.”
The post has garnered tens of thousands of views and has been reshared several times, triggering questions about the authenticity of the claim.
Fact Check: The claim originated as satire
The claim, however, is false, as there are no publicly available reports that suggest Putin and Netanyahu ever offered Trump refuge in their countries if he were impeached; hence, the claim that the offer has been revoked is false and baseless.
A search on Google for the claim yielded no reliable news media reports that support the claim; if true would have made headlines. Also, the claim is based on a series of unsubstantiated assertions and future predictions.
Moreover, the claim was posted by an account called The Halfway Post, which describes itself in its bio as "satire" and has made several such false and exaggerated claims for the sake of engagement.
Democrats prepare broad investigative strategy to target Trump
The claim surfaced as House Democrats are reportedly preparing a broad investigative strategy to target Trump, his administration, and businesses connected to his political and financial network if they regain control of the chamber in the upcoming midterms.
The Democrats are considering hearings, subpoenas, and document requests aimed at building a record of potential wrongdoing rather than moving immediately toward impeaching Trump.
The potential areas of investigation include Department of Homeland Security contracts, financing for the White House ballroom, corporate donations, and alleged pay-to-play arrangements.
Democrats have already begun laying the groundwork and have sent letters seeking records from companies and other organizations that could be subjected to future investigations, which could provide a basis for subpoenas if Democrats win control of the House.
