Fact Check: Was Anthony Fauci Arrested by U.S. Special Forces?

No.

By
10

A viral article from Real Raw News, which describes itself as exploring “content often avoided by the mainstream media,” claims that Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, was arrested by special forces on Saturday afternoon. 

According to the article: “Special Forces in civilian vehicles discretely tailed Fauci’s car to an underground parking garage near the hotel and made their move. They boxed him in, drew weapons, and ordered Fauci’s guards to toss their firearms out the window. 

“Fauci’s security complied, and Special Forces dragged Fauci from the vehicle, subdued him, and carted him off for processing.”

These are false claims. 

Fauci appeared in an ABC News interview with Jonathan Karl on April 10, a day after the alleged arrest. During that interview Fauci discussed the recent rise in COVID-19 cases and how to assess “personal risk.”

Furthermore, Real Raw News has a disclaimer on its website, which says that: “Information on this website is for informational and educational and entertainment purposes. This website contains humor, parody, and satire. We have included this disclaimer for our protection, on the advice on [sic] legal counsel.”

As we have previously reported, Real Raw News has a history of promoting completely baseless stories of arrests and executions. We have previously fact checked the false claim from Real Raw News that Navy SEALs pledged loyalty to Donald Trump and arrested Hillary Clinton on March 4, 2021. We also examined the viral and false story that a Navy pilot’s landing mishap was due to a COVID-19 vaccine reaction. 

If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email at factcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please email corrections@thedispatch.com.

10
By
Comments (10)
Join The Dispatch to participate in the comments.
 
  1. Avatar photo
    Ben Connelly

    Haha, what?

    Collapse
  2. Raincheck

    It’s amazing how often the headline on the fact check is really all you need.

    Collapse
  3. Avatar photo
    Campshrop

    I love these fact checks. I can't remember ever knowing they were facts to be checked before seeing the column, though. They give me a peep into the wacko world of non-sourced media!

    Collapse
  4. Avatar photo
    Pat @ Tavi Hall

    Headline: These people aren't just lying to you, they think you're idiots.

    Collapse
  5. Will

    These are the sites that give The Babylon Bee a bad name.

    Collapse
  6. Deleted Comment

    This comment has been deleted

  7. Avatar photo
    Isaac P

    The danger here isn’t that these stories are remotely believable — it’s that they widen the Overton Window, making more “sane” lies somewhat plausible.

    Collapse
  8. Avatar photo
    Farhall

    A sample of headlines from the "Real raw news" website:

    - At GITMO, Fauci refers to Wife Christine Grady as "He" and "Him"
    - Sonia Sotomayor Hanged at GITMO
    - Military: Fauci Likes Young Boys
    - Military Arrests Loretta Lynch

    Something's wrong with people. Even if we make the most generous assumption and consider this site "parody", this is horrific.

    Collapse
    1. Avatar photo
      Andrew

      Gotta fight fire with fire. Someone get the domain for RealRealRawNews.net and start writing stories like “Real Raw News is George Soros Psyop” “Reading Real Raw News gives Red State citizens brain hemorrhage”

      Collapse
  9. Avatar photo
    Wes

    I'm constantly amazed that we need these fact checks. Some work is a necessary public service, but shouldn't be.

    Collapse