Fact Check: Did Trump and Vladimir Putin trade barbs over who owns the Moon?
WASHINGTON, DC: Amid controversy surrounding the diesel deal between the United States and Russia, a rumor began circulating on social media claiming that President Donald Trump had a heated exchange with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The claim has sparked mockery and speculation, prompting a fact-check of the viral rumor.
Claim: Trump and Putin argued over who owns the moon
🚨 THE GREAT SPACE WAR BEGINS! 🇺🇸🇷🇺💥 🇺🇸 Donald Trump: "America has officially claimed 80% of the Moon’s surface for US mining conglomerates. From today, every satellite or rocket passing through Moon orbit will pay a non-negotiable 'Lunar Transit Tax'!" 🇺🇸🌕⚡ 🇷🇺 Vladimir Putin: "You think you own space because you put a flag on dust 50 years ago? Russia is sending nuclear-powered heavy landers straight to the lunar south pole. We will pay zero dollars." 🇷🇺😡🚀 🇺🇸 Donald Trump: "Good luck landing on the Moon when we cut off your Starlink guidance signal! Starting tonight, a 200% tariff on all space gear and vodka. Let’s see how high your rockets fly on dead screens!" 🇺🇸🔥 🇷🇺 Vladimir Putin: "Your tariffs require a working supply chain. Our landers, however, operate on sovereign nuclear codes. Good luck collecting space taxes on an empty sky!" 🇷🇺⚔️💀📉 Bro completely deleted the tariff threat 💀🔥
— 𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐏𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑 (@AmericanpowerUs) October 31, 2026
The claim appeared in a post on X, which attributed the following statement to Trump: “America has officially claimed 80% of the Moon’s surface for US mining conglomerates. From today, every satellite or rocket passing through Moon orbit will pay a non-negotiable 'Lunar Transit Tax'"
Putin then allegedly hit back, stating, “You think you own space because you put a flag on dust 50 years ago? Russia is sending nuclear-powered heavy landers straight to the lunar south pole. We will pay zero dollars."
"Good luck landing on the Moon when we cut off your Starlink guidance signal! Starting tonight, a 200% tariff on all space gear and vodka. Let’s see how high your rockets fly on dead screens,” Trump allegedly said.
“Your tariffs require a working supply chain. Our landers, however, operate on sovereign nuclear codes. Good luck collecting space taxes on an empty sky,” Putin allegedly replied.
Fact Check: The claim originated from a parody account
However, the claim is false, as no such exchange took place between the two leaders over ownership of the moon.
Although Trump once shared a post featuring a picture of the moon emblazoned with the words “The moon is ours,” there is no evidence that he claimed 80% of the moon for US mining conglomerates.
There are no official statements, announcements, press conferences or social media posts from the White House or the Kremlin suggesting that such a conversation took place.
If the exchange had actually happened, prominent news outlets would likely have covered it extensively.
Moreover, the claim was posted by an X account called ‘AMERICAN POWER,’ which describes itself as a ‘parody account’ in its bio.
Trump defends decision to ease Russia sanctions
The claim surfaced after Trump recently decided to waive major provisions of a new Russia sanctions package, arguing that imposing the restrictions could jeopardize negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
"My decision on Russia is a very simple one. I am in the process of negotiating Peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine, and don't want to do anything that will drive, foolishly, Russia away from the bargaining table," Trump wrote.
He added, “Great progress is being made, and that includes current hostage negotiations!"
