Bob Oswald
Bulls legend Michael Jordan has severed ties with sportswear company Nike, according to recent social media posts.
“Michael Jordan rejects $10M deal from Nike, says ‘I won’t save your woke brand,'” reads text on a Jan. 8 Facebook post that included an image of Jordan next to an image of the Nike logo.
But according to USA Today, there is no evidence that this has happened. The claim is based on a story originating from parody website Esspots. The site’s “About” page states, “Our team of writers and editors is dedicated to bringing you the latest and greatest in fake and ridiculous news, laced with humor and satire.”
According to USA Today, Jordan has been working with Nike since 1984, and as of 2023, he has earned approximately $1.5 billion from the partnership.
Nike has faced criticism recently for its stance on social justice issues and its support of controversial football player and social justice advocate Colin Kaepernick.
USA Today called the article an example of “stolen satire,” in which a story originally written as a satire is republished without indicating that it is a parody. Readers will then assume this is legitimate news.
The Watermelon Cup is not a declaration of war
A few months ago, coffee chain Starbucks released its summer collection of mugs and cups in bright colors and the Starbucks logo. Some social media users claimed the watermelon coffee cups were the company’s way of showing support for the Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas war.
Late last year, Starbucks faced a boycott from some customers due to conflicts with unions and perceptions of its war stance.
“It means ‘We’re sorry, please eat.'” You’re not fooling us. We are still boycotting,” one post on X read. One post on TikTok read: “Are y’all as confused as I am? #watermelon #palestine #starbucks #boycottstarbucks. “
But the green watermelon cup with fruit graphics has nothing to do with the Israel-Hamas war, according to the Associated Press.
Starbucks spokesman Jaci Anderson told The Associated Press that the drink vessels were issued before the conflict began and that any store using the cups would only use inventory left over from the summer launch.
The colors of a slice of watermelon match those of the Palestinian flag, and the image of the watermelon is used as a symbol of unity.
Starbucks has yet to take a formal stance on the war.
No connection between Whitewater scandal and bombings
Last month, a social media statement involving former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, circulated on social media saying the couple’s evidence in 1995 The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was destroyed in the bombing. .
“Reminder: Just 4 days before Hillary Clinton was indicted in the Whitewater Scandal, this building in Oklahoma City was bombed. All documents were lost!” reads a Facebook post on December 26, 2023 Road, which contains images of bombed buildings.
But according to Reuters, there is no evidence that this is true.
The Clintons were investigated but never charged for their involvement in a real estate venture called Whitewater. In September 2000, prosecutor Robert W. Ray said, “The evidence was insufficient to prove to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt.”
All Clinton administration documents, including any related to the Whitewater scandal, are held by the National Archives. Many were released in 2014. No one is being held at the Murrah Building.
Jeff Gerth, author of “Hillary Rodham Clinton: Her Path, Hopes and Ambition,” told Reuters there were a number of factors that led investigators not to bring charges against the Clintons.
“I interviewed prosecutors who were involved in these decisions and had never heard of the Oklahoma City bombing,” he said.
Singer posts fake letter
Singer Lil Nas X is known for mocking religion and using Christian imagery and themes in his songs and music videos. In the video for his 2021 song “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” he gave Satan a lap dance.
So when the singer posted an acceptance letter from Liberty University, a Christian school in Virginia, on Instagram, social media users were confused, along with the comment: “I know some of you hate me right now, but I want You guys know me “I’m really going to go to college in the fall to study the Bible. Not everything is a troll! “
Comments on the post read: “Disappointed, disgusted and feeling uncomfortable.”
But according to the Washington Post, the post was fake. A spokesman for Liberty University told The Washington Post that the singer, whose real name is Montero Hill, never applied.
“Liberty University did not post the Mount Montero ‘acceptance letter’ posted to social media yesterday, and we have no record of Mount Montero applying to the university,” the spokesperson said.
The forged admission letter was signed by university founder Jerry Falwell, who died in 2007.
• Bob Oswald is a veteran Chicago-area reporter and former news editor of the Elgin Courier-News.Please contact him at boboswald33@gmail.com.