Fact Check: Did Trump call himself the ‘defender of Iranian women’s rights?’

WASHINGTON, DC: As the tensions in the Middle East continue despite ongoing peace negotiations with Iran, a rumor has been circulating on social media platforms claiming that President Donald Trump has called himself the "defender of the rights of Iranian women," sparking mockery and speculation. Let us analyse and fact-check the viral claim.

Claim: Donald Trump calls himself 'defender of Iranian women's rights'

The rumor was sparked by an X post which quoted Trump as saying, “I am also a defender of Iranian women's rights; they love me." 

According to the post, Iran responded to the alleged remark, stating, “He is a p********; everyone knows how he views women and young girls. What he's trying to do is attack us to cover up his own filth." 

The claim has triggered mixed reactions from online users, with many calling out Trump for his name in the Epstein files, while a few others remained skeptical, questioning the claim’s authenticity.

Fact Check: Donald Trump did not make the exact statement 

The claim, however, is false, as there is no evidence that Trump made such a statement. A search on Google for the quote yielded no credible results or reports by prominent news media outlets, which, if true, would not go unreported.

There are also no tweets or social media posts on the president’s official accounts that match the remark.

A fact check by Grok stated, “Trump did not say those exact words verbatim in any widely available primary source."

"The phrasing ‘I am [also] a defender of Iranian women’s rights — they love me’ (or minor variations) is widely shared on social media, but it appears to be a paraphrase or edited summary of his comments on Iranian women’s issues, rather than a direct, word-for-word quote from a speech, interview, or Truth Social post.”

Donald Trump urged Iran to spare eight women

The remark is likely based on a direct public appeal issued by Trump in April to Iranian authorities, urging them to halt the reported imminent execution of eight women.

In a Truth Social post, the President called for their release, describing it as a potential opening step in broader diplomatic talks. 

“I would greatly appreciate the release of these women… Please do them no harm! Would be a great start to our negotiations!!!” 

Trump’s appeal was in response to a widely circulated social media post by activist Eyal Yakoby, who had shared images of the eight women alongside claims that executions were being prepared.