The rumor emerged as discussions heated up regarding the newly dubbed ‘Stop Nick Shirley Act.’
WASHINGTON, DC: A viral post circulating on social media claims that citizen journalist Nick Shirley has uncovered evidence that Senator Bernie Sanders holds a $15 million account in a Chinese bank. This unverified assertion quickly generated substantial online criticism directed at the senator, prompting the need for a thorough investigation into its validity.
Claim: Bernie Sanders holds a Chinese bank account
An explosive post on X alleged that Shirley managed to expose a hidden Chinese bank account belonging to the progressive lawmaker. Attached to the post was a photograph featuring Sanders alongside Shirley, accompanied by text reading, “Bernie is having a hard time explaining why he has $15 million in a Chinese bank account.”
The post further credited Shirley for bringing the alleged information to light.
Having amassed tens of thousands of views, the post divided audiences; while some users accepted the statement as absolute fact, others expressed doubt and questioned its authenticity.
Fact Check: The allegation against Bernie Sanders is entirely fabricated
Evidence shows that the accusation is entirely false, as the conservative media personality has never made any such statement or accusation regarding the senator.
A review of public records reveals no press releases, official statements, or social media posts from Shirley indicating he discovered any Chinese financial accounts tied to Sanders.
Had a prominent U.S. senator been implicated in holding millions of dollars overseas, major news organizations would have covered the story extensively, resulting in widespread public scrutiny. However, a comprehensive web search returned no legitimate news coverage supporting the claim.
Instead, investigations trace the origin of the rumor to an X account named ‘John McAfee News.’ Although not officially designated as a parody account, it frequently shares sensationalized and fictitious claims that lean toward satire.
California’s ‘Stop Nick Shirley Act’ sparks debate
This online hoax gained traction amid intense political discourse surrounding a newly signed immigrant services confidentiality bill in California by Governor Gavin Newsom, colloquially referred to as the ‘Stop Nick Shirley Act.’
The legislation is designed to protect immigrant support service providers from harassment and potential violence by shielding their addresses from public view.
Opponents of the measure argue that the law restricts independent journalists from effectively investigating and reporting on organizations that assist immigrant communities.
“The legislation makes it harder for investigative reporters like Nick Shirley to do what they’ve done and, quite frankly, I think we need more people looking at how we’re spending our money, and more transparency and accountability,” expressed Senator Tony Strickland.