Fact Check: Did Trump promote Steven Chueng's online platform with promo code?
WASHINGTON, DC: A claim is circulating on social media platforms alleging that President Donald Trump, in a social media post, promoted White House Communications Director Steven Chueng’s online platform by sharing a promo code. The claim has sparked mockery and criticism, prompting a fact-check.
Claim: Donald Trump shared a promo code to promote Steve Chueng’s online platform
The claim surfaced as a screenshot showing a post by Trump on his official Truth Social handle.
The alleged post begins by mentioning Iran, stating, “We are approaching World Peace, Iran is giving us a Tough Time achieving that. Although they are leaving me NO Choice other than to Completely DESTROY them, I will Remain Extremely lean as I always am.”
It further reads, “Another Great News is that I am having Steve Chueng's online platform wildcastle.net backed up by the Trump Administration."
"Users can now use the Promo Code 'MAGA2K' to Claim $2k as a start. I INSIST that I have NO Stake in his project. Never Have. I have known Steve for a long time. Genius Guy. He has my full TRUST in his work. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
The screenshot has been shared by several accounts on X, garnering almost half a million views as of this writing, with many appearing to believe it to be an authentic post by the president.
Fact Check: Donald Trump made no such post
The claim, however, is false, as the screenshot is fake and Trump has posted nothing as such as of September 2, the date mentioned in the screenshot.
A search on his verified Truth Social account for relevant keywords yielded no results.
Additional searches on commentary accounts that archive all his Truth Social posts, and on other official handles such as Facebook and X, also do not include any post promoting online platforms with a promo code.
Donald Trump urges Iranians to rise against government
The claim surfaced as Trump vented his frustration with Iranians, questioning why they haven't stood up to their government even though the US conflict with them has dragged on for over six months.
"They are just playing out the inevitable," Trump wrote. "When are the Iranian people going to rise up and fight? I’m not trying to force Iran to the bargaining table, as ABC Fake News reported. I couldn’t care less if they sign a worthless, to them, agreement.”
“I like our position now much better, with almost total control of the Hormuz Strait, and their economy totally collapsing,” he added.
