Author Stephen King has been criticized after falling for a fake Truth Social post claiming the World Series was “probably rigged by the Dems and the mafia.”
King, 78, posted on X to slam Donald Trump, appearing to believe that he said he would not allow either the Los Angeles Dodgers or Toronto Blue Jays to visit the White House.
Highlights
- Stephen King mistakenly believed a fake Truth Social post claiming Trump would not invite the World Series winner to the White House.
- King criticized Donald Trump on X, believing he refused White House visits for Dodgers or Blue Jays based on the fake post.
- Users quickly corrected King, reminding him to fact-check before reacting to fabricated social media claims.
The fake Truth Social post circulated on social media, but no such post exists on Trump’s official accounts or on the White House’s.
Stephen King was ‘duped’ by a fake Truth Social post
Image credits: Tracey Biel/Variety via Getty Images
“No matter who wins I will refuse to invite either baseball team to my ball room as they are both run by highly inept officials from California and Ontario Canada,” the fake post read.
“I don’t host losers. We are actively investigating MLB. This World Series is rigged, probably by the Dems and the mafia.”
The L.A. Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-1 in Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday.
After the post circulated online, King wrote on X, “Trump says he won't invite either team playing in the World Series to the White House.”
“He can't rise above his petty political concerns even for the great American game. If anything shows what a louse he is, that’s it.”
He was quickly corrected by users who told him he had fallen for a fabricated post.
“You have been duped, yet again, Stephen. When will you learn to look before you leap?” one person wrote.
Another added, “You would think a best-selling author would take the time to check his sources before publishing.”
King’s post comes after he was forced to apologize for falsely claiming that assassinated MAGA activist Charlie Kirk had “advocated stoning gays to death.”
“I apologize for saying Charlie Kirk advocated stoning gays,” King tweeted at the time, adding, “What he actually demonstrated was how some people cherry-pick Biblical passages.”
King also apologized for “reading something on Twitter without fact checking” and said it “would not happen again.”
Trump’s actual statement on the World Series praised baseball and described both teams as “exceptional.”
“This year’s World Series brings together two exceptional teams that earned their place through talent and determination,” it read.
Trump imposed a further 10% tariff on Canada over an ad that ran during the game
Image credits: Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images
“As the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays compete for the Commissioner’s Trophy, they remind us why baseball brings friends and neighbors together.
“Melania and I send our best wishes to the players, coaches, and fans for a fun and safe series. May the best team win, and may God bless our national pastime and the United States of America.”
The president’s attitude soon turned, however, when an anti-tariff advert sponsored by the Ontario Government ran during the World Series.
On Friday, Trump terminated trade negotiations with Canada over the ad, which used part of a Ronald Reagan speech to protest high tariffs and warn of the impact.
Image credits: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
After the ad featured on Saturday, Trump imposed a further 10% tariff on Canada, which was already subject to a 35% tariff and other sector-specific rates.
“Their Advertisement was to be taken down, IMMEDIATELY, but they let it run last night during the World Series, knowing that it was a FRAUD,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“Because of their serious misrepresentation of the facts, and hostile act, I am increasing the Tariff on Canada by 10% over and above what they are paying now.”
Canada is also subject to a 50% levy on metals and 25% on automobiles.