0
0
Disney Did Not Buy Jeffrey Epstein’s Island Despite Misinformation Circulating Online
Social media has been abuzz with claims that Disney has purchased Jeffrey Epstein’s island, located on Little St. James Island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, these claims are entirely false, despite gaining traction on platforms like TikTok and X.
The misinformation stemmed from a TikTok video created by an account called Mouse Trap News. In the video, fake statements attributed to Disney were quoted, suggesting that the entertainment giant had acquired Epstein’s island and planned to include it as a stop on their cruise ships. The video further propagated the false claim that Disney had purchased the island for $3 billion and intended to build a theme park on the property.
While some have labeled Mouse Trap News’ content as “satire,” the lack of a clear punchline in their videos has led many to mistake their fake news for legitimate information. This trend of spreading false narratives for the sake of virality is concerning, as it often misleads and confuses unsuspecting audiences.
The Credulous Online Community
The fake news surrounding Disney’s alleged purchase of Epstein’s island primarily targeted gullible individuals on the internet, particularly users who pay for verified X accounts. Despite efforts to debunk the false claims, some X users continue to insist on the validity of the misinformation.
This is not the first instance of a Disney-Epstein fake news story gaining traction on social media. Snopes, a reputable fact-checking source, highlighted a similar claim in the summer of 2023, suggesting that Disney cruise lines would be making a stop at Epstein’s island in the Virgin Islands.
Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, passed away in a New York jail cell in the summer of 2019 following new charges of sex trafficking. His death was officially ruled as a suicide, although skepticism surrounded the circumstances due to Epstein’s connections to influential figures who may have had motives to silence him.
Since Epstein’s demise, numerous conspiracy theories and fabricated images have emerged online, capitalizing on his association with prominent individuals in tech and politics. This phenomenon underscores the ease with which unsubstantiated claims can spread virally in today’s digital landscape.
Image/Photo credit: source url
