Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Kushel HM is a mechanical engineer-turned-journalist, who loves all things football, tennis and films. He was with the news desk at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, before joining Newschecker.
Claim
– Video shows crowd’s live reaction to Justin Trudeau’s resignation announcement.
– Video shows Canadians celebrating Justin Trudeau’s resignation.
Fact
– Video found to be digitally altered, using a popular meme template.
– Video generated using AI.
Justin Trudeau announced his resignation as Canadian Prime Minister on Monday (January 6) amid rising dissatisfaction over his leadership. “I intend to resign as leader of the Liberal Party, and as Prime Minister after the party elects its next leader following a robust process,” Trudeau said.
Soon after, videos purportedly showing Canadian residents celebrating Trudeau’s decision to resign surfaced on social media platforms. We investigated two such videos to verify their authenticity.
Is This The ‘Live Reaction’ To Trudeau’s Resignation Announcement?
A video of a huge crowd bursting into celebration as Justin Trudeau’s resignation announcement is purportedly displayed on a screen is going viral on social media platforms. Multiple X users sharing the clip claimed it to be the “live reaction” of people to Trudeau’s resignation announcement. A shorter version of the clip is being widely circulated on Facebook too.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Fact Check/Verification
We began by analysing the viral clip, and noticed inconsistencies in the last few frames. For instance, the screen size of a mobile phone displaying Trudeau’s address appears to be distorted, and another monitor is seen hanging in the air.
Further investigation led us to a YouTube video by @heartnewswestcountry6318, dated June 17, 2016, carrying similar visuals of a crowd erupting in cheers while watching a football match. “Fans watching Euro 2016 on the big screen at Ashton Gate stadium celebrate Daniel Sturridge’s late winner for England against Wales,” its description stated.
Also Read: AI-Generated Photo of Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan in Mecca Goes Viral
After comparing the keyframe of the viral clip with the YouTube video, we found them to be identical except from the video displayed on the screen.
A CBS Sports report also featured the original video showing football fans bursting into celebrations during the Euro 2016 match between England and Wales.
We also noticed a watermark of “NautPoso” at the bottom of the screen on multiple such videos shared on X, and found a meme creator on X by the same username, NautPoso memes (@NautPoso).
Furthermore, the shorter version of several such videos featured a watermark of “The Benny Show.” On looking up the same on Google, we were directed to an X account of Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson), a “media personality.” We found that the clip was shared on his X account on January 6, 2024.
Notably, the same account shared another altered version of the viral clip showing Kamala Harris certifying Donald Trump’s election win on January 7.
Dubbed as the “Bar Goes Wild” meme, the video, originally showing fan cheering during a football match in England, has been altered multiple times to falsely show people’s reaction to different events. Such altered clips can be seen here and here.
Canadians Seen ‘Celebrating In Hot Tub’ After Trudeau’s Resignation?
Several social media users shared a video purportedly showing a group of Canadians celebrating Trudeau’s exit. The 6-second clip shows multiple individuals waving the Canadian flags, surrounding a few men in a hot tub.
In 2022, a few Canadians protesting against the COVID mandates brought a portable hot tub to the demonstration site,and were seen taking a dip in it.
Multiple X and Facebook users shared the video, captioning it: “Canadians are celebrating the news of Justin Trudeau’s resignation by re-creating the iconic hot tub party in front of Parliament Hill.” The Daily Guardian shared this clip too.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Also Read: AI-Generated Video Of Elon Musk Getting A Haircut From A Robot Goes Viral
Fact Check/Verification
On carefully analysing the viral clip, we observed that the faces and the hands of the individuals “celebrating Trudeau’s resignation” were highly distorted. Additionally, a glass suddenly appears in one of the men’s hands who appears to raise it in celebration. These observations indicated that the clip was likely generated using AI tools.
We then ran the clip past AI-content detection tools to further confirm its authenticity. TrueMedia found “some evidence of manipulation” in the video. Hive Moderation concluded an overall 98.1% likelihood that the clip contains AI-generated or deepfake content.
Subsequent investigation led us to an X post by Dr. Clown, PhD (@DrClownPhD), a “Trustworthy fake news & memes” account, carrying the same video. The clip was ‘Community Noted’ as an AI generated video, and the post author stated that it is “obviously AI” in the comment section.
Also Read: Satirical Deepfake Video Of Justin Trudeau Announcing His Resignation As Canadian PM Goes Viral
Conclusion
Hence, viral videos claiming to show Canadians celebrating Justin Trudeau’s resignation announcement were found to be altered and AI-generated respectively.
Result: Altered Media
Sources
YouTube Video By @heartnewswestcountry6318, Dated June 17, 2016
Report By CBS Sports, Dated June 16, 2016
Hive Moderation Website
X Post By @DrClownPhD, Dated January 6, 2025
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Kushel HM is a mechanical engineer-turned-journalist, who loves all things football, tennis and films. He was with the news desk at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, before joining Newschecker.
