Michelle Obama in Anti-Trump Shirt? It Is Digitally Altered
A recent image circulating on social media, purportedly showing former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama donning a T-shirt with an anti-Trump slogan, has been identified as digitally altered. The original photograph, in fact, features her promoting her book, contrary to the manipulated image's portrayal.
The altered image depicts Michelle Obama in a T-shirt carrying a caricature of former U.S. President Donald Trump along with the words: "Nope, not again." This picture gained traction online, with one user posting it on X (previously known as Twitter) accompanied by the caption: "Who agrees with @MichelleObama?"
However, a fact-check by Reuters revealed the truth behind this misleading image. The original photograph was shared by Michelle Obama herself on social media on March 14, 2023. It shows her in a T-shirt with the initials "TLWC," representing her book titled "The Light We Carry." The authentic caption stated: "I'm excited to share The Light We Carry merch with all of you!"
This digitally altered image led to mixed reactions among social media users. While some appeared to believe it was genuine, sharing it with phrases of agreement like "I agree with @MichelleObama," others directed insults toward the former First Lady, erroneously thinking the shirt's message was her actual stance.
"Who agrees with @MichelleObama? This photo is digitally altered to make viewers believe Mrs. Obama is wearing an anti-Trump tee shirt. The original image, as seen on Mrs. Obama's Facebook page, is a photo of her in a yellow shirt promoting her book, 'The Light We Carry.'" X user "Town Post" wrote.
X user Represent deez NutZ wrote:"Why would anyone agree with your fake photo of some dude in a anti-trump shirt! Garbage people doing deceptively garbage things!"
This incident is not isolated in the realm of digital misinformation. Reuters has previously tackled similar instances where photographs of public figures were modified to show them wearing T-shirts with political messages. These alterations often aim to mislead or stir controversy by falsely attributing political statements to well-known personalities.
The image in question is a fabrication. The authentic photo of Michelle Obama is connected to the promotion of her book, devoid of any direct political messaging, especially concerning Donald Trump. This case underscores the importance of vigilance in the digital age, where images can be easily manipulated and spread as disinformation.