Fact Check: Did Trump claim control of social media servers and threaten to disable Google Maps?
WASHINGTON, DC: A claim has been circulating on social media platforms alleging that President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States controls global social media and that every country should pay a monthly digital rent, and failure to do so will result in an internet blackout. The claim has sparked concerns and speculation, prompting a fact-check.
Claim: Trump said countries should pay 'digital rent' or face internet blackout
According to a viral post on X (formerly Twitter), Trump said, “From today, server control of all global social media apps rests with the US. Any country that fails to pay the monthly 'digital rent' will face an internet blackout."
In response, the European Union (EU) allegedly said, “This violates international law. If you attempt to collect rent, we will slap a 200% 'GDP-level' fine on all your major tech companies and seize your European servers."
Trump then hit back, stating, “You'll impose a fine? Fine then. After midnight tonight, Google Maps won't work on anyone's phone across Europe. Let's see how Europeans get home without maps."
The post has garnered hundreds of thousands of views as of this writing, sparking speculation and calls for a fact check.
Fact Check: The claim originated as satire
The claim, however, is false, as there is no evidence of Trump claiming control of global social media servers and calling for the imposition of monthly digital rent.
A search on Google for the alleged statement by Trump and the EU yielded no credible reports by prominent news media outlets, which, if true, would have made headlines, triggering worldwide outrage and debates against the president.
There are also no official statements, announcements, or press releases from the president or the White House about the president claiming control of the social media servers.
Additionally, the claim was posted by an account that describes itself in the bio as "parody."
Trump's tensions with European allies
Trump’s tensions with the EU came amid strained relations between the US and its European allies, prompted by disputes over tariffs and Trump’s push to acquire Greenland.
Earlier this year, he delivered a sharp criticism of Europe, telling a room of European leaders that parts of the continent were “not even recognizable.”
“We can argue about it, but there’s no argument,” he said. “Friends come back from different places, I don’t want to insult anybody, and say, ‘I don’t recognize it.’ And that’s not in a positive way. That’s in a very negative way."
“I love Europe, and I want to see Europe go good, but it’s not heading in the right direction,” Trump added.
