Fact Check: Did Trump announce a plan to gift a giant wooden horse to Iran amid the conflict?
WASHINGTON, DC: As tensions between the United States and Iran continue, a claim is circulating on social media platforms that President Donald Trump has announced a plan to gift a giant wooden horse to the Middle Eastern country. The rumor has sparked mockery and criticism from online users, requiring a fact-check.
Claim: Donald Trump to send wooden horse as a gift to Iran
According to the viral post that appeared on X, Trump announced a plan to gift Iran a giant wooden horse.
The post was accompanied by a link to an article that stated that war could soon reach its completion as the US has reportedly prepared to offer the Iranian regime the gracious gift.
"It's just a tremendous horse. Really terrific. They're going to love it," Trump allegedly said.
"It's such a good gift, maybe the greatest gift. So I think this will end the war. They'll lay down their arms and accept us as friends. Because of the beautiful horse."
The post cites Trump as saying, "It's a big horse. A really big horse. Maybe the biggest. Lots of people are saying so. They're saying, 'Wow, what a big horse.' And it has to be. Iran won't be impressed by a small horse. They're not 9-year-old girls. Although maybe their wives would like that."
Fact Check: The claim is a satirical take on 'Trojan Horse'
The claim, however, is false, as there is no evidence of Trump making such an announcement, and it is a satirical take on the ‘Trojan Horse’ from the Greek epic ‘Iliad.’
No official announcements, statements, or social media posts from the president or the White House support the claim.
If Trump had really made such an announcement, it would not have gone unreported by prominent news outlets.
Additionally, the claim was posted by a parody X account called ‘The Babylon Bee,’ which describes itself in the bio as ‘fake news.’
Donald Trump rejects Iran's Hormuz deal
The claim surfaced as Iran offered to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz to global shipping within seven days; in exchange, the US would lift its naval blockade, waive oil sanctions, and release billions in frozen assets, which Trump publicly rejected while reiterating that any agreement must address the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.
"I'd like to make a deal, too," President Trump said Saturday. "But that deal would not be acceptable."
Although officials have indicated that Iran is flexible on nuclear issues, both sides have not reached an agreement on the timing of the commitments.
