In the aftermath of the recent telecommunication device explosions in Lebanon, social media users circulated a fabricated CNN video, falsely claiming to show anchor Jake Tapper reporting that Israel targeted Hezbollah using exploding goats. Misbar's investigative team investigated the video and confirmed it was fake.
Rumor Circulates Claiming Israel Targeted Hezbollah with Exploding Goats
On September 19, just one day after the attacks in Lebanon, stand-up comedian Danny Polishchuk released a fake CNN video that falsely portrayed CNN's lead Washington anchor, Jake Tapper, reporting on exploding goats in Lebanon. Polishchuk used deepfake technology to create the video and also played the role of the field reporter alongside Tapper.
In the deepfake video, an AI-generated voice of Jake Tapper says: "In a truly surreal twist, the rectums of goats all over the country exploded at the same time, killing an additional 1,800 people and injuring thousands of others as well as killing countless goats."
Although the video was intended as 'dark humor,' social media users took the story seriously and began spreading the claim online. One user on X shared a photo allegedly showing a goat exploding, with the caption, "BREAKING NEWS: Goats used by Hezbollah members are exploding in Lebanon."
Another X user shared the deepfake CNN video, which reached over 46,000 users, and commented, "17 Hezbollah men killed and hundreds wounded with exploding goats on Friday morning. A huge embarrassment for Iran's proxies. One would have thought they'd be careful after exploding pagers and Walkie Talkies."
In another deepfake CNN video titled "CNN's Jake Tapper Issues Statement on Viral Exploding Goats Story," the AI-generated Tapper mocks both CNN and users who believed the original clip.
In the video, the AI voice says, "While humorous, here at CNN, we are very concerned with the proliferation of any fake news that we didn't create ourselves. Disinformation is a very serious threat to our country and the world when it isn't us here at CNN creating it. We acknowledge the average person on the internet is too stupid to tell the difference between parody and reality."
Misbar’s investigative team looked into Danny Polishchuk’s background and found that he is a New York City-based comedian, actor, and writer.
Danny frequently posts videos of his stand-up comedy performances from various cities on his social media accounts.
Jokes at the Victims' Expense
Despite the devastation that comes with war, it frequently becomes a target for dark humor and satire, as illustrated by recent events following the twin telecommunication device explosions in Lebanon. Social media users have turned to humor amidst the chaos, such as the viral video of the comedian Danny Polishchuk's creation of a fake CNN video that is considered a clearly absurd narrative that surprisingly gained the attention of millions.
While some may use dark humor as a coping mechanism, it is crucial to remember that the suffering of millions should never be trivialized. Such humor must not overshadow the genuine pain and loss experienced by those affected by conflict.
Furthermore, the exploitation of dark comedy has been evident in Israeli trolling aimed at romanticizing the suffering of Palestinians amidst the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
A widespread Israeli social media campaign has emerged, accusing media outlets of fabricating reports on casualties and injuries in Gaza. These claims often circulate under hashtags like “#Pallywood” and “#Gazawood.” These campaign trolls falsely claim that videos and images of Palestinian victims and the injured are staged with actors and explicitly mock the victims’ pain.
Device Explosions in Lebanon Claimed 37 Lives
On Tuesday and Wednesday, explosions involving communication devices in Lebanon resulted in the deaths of at least 37 individuals, including Hezbollah members. Among the casualties were two children, as reported by Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The attacks also left over 3,000 people injured, with many suffering from blindness or severe injuries.
Hezbollah has attributed the attacks to Israel, although the Israeli government has not formally claimed responsibility.
In a speech on Thursday, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah stated that the group had experienced an "unprecedented" setback, noting that the twin attacks had "crossed all red lines" and pledging a "reckoning." He asserted that the intention was to undermine the resistance, and this was not achieved, and he promised to continue retaliatory actions against Israel.
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