The Claim
Following a shooting incident near the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25, 2026, viral social media posts claimed that the Iranian government issued a strong message saying:
“Don’t believe anything Trump says. He lies.”
The claim spread across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, often paired with edited images of Donald Trump, Iranian leadership, and the alleged attacker.
What Actually Happened
Authorities confirmed that a suspect, Cole Tomas Allen (31), was arrested after passing a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton, where the event was being held.
- The suspect never entered the main event hall
- Donald Trump was safely evacuated by the Secret Service
- Melania Trump and JD Vance were also unharmed
- The suspect was later charged with multiple criminal offenses
During a press interaction, Trump stated:
“I don’t think so, but you never know”
— when asked whether Iran was involved.
Investigation: Did Iran Make That Statement?
A detailed review of official and credible sources shows no evidence that Iran made such a statement.
1. No Official Iranian Statement
A search of official Iranian government channels, including state websites and communications, found:
- ❌ No statement saying “don’t believe Trump”
- ❌ No accusation labeling Trump as a liar regarding the incident
Even after translating official pages from Persian, no matching statement exists.
2. No Evidence on Verified Social Media Accounts
Fact-checkers examined official accounts linked to Iranian leadership, including:
- Ali Khamenei
- Iranian embassy accounts in multiple countries
Result:
- ❌ No posts containing the viral quote
- ❌ No references to such messaging
3. No Coverage by Credible News Organizations
Major international media outlets did report on the shooting and global reactions. However:
- ❌ No verified outlet reported Iran making such a statement
- ❌ No diplomatic or official response from Iran matching the viral claim
In contrast, several world leaders did issue real statements condemning the attack, including:
- Claudia Sheinbaum
- Javier Milei
- Pedro Sánchez
Why the Claim Spread
The viral posts combine:
- A real event (shooting incident)
- A real quote from Trump (“you never know”)
- Fabricated attribution to Iran
This is a common misinformation pattern:
➡️ Mixing real facts with invented statements to increase credibility
Additionally, some posts included AI-generated imagery, further amplifying the illusion of authenticity.
Final Verdict: False ❌
The claim that Iran told people “not to believe Trump” after the shooting is:
False
- There is no official statement
- No verified social media evidence
- No credible media reporting
The quote appears to be completely fabricated and spread through social media manipulation.
Conclusion
This incident highlights how quickly misinformation can spread during breaking news events. While the shooting near the White House Correspondents’ Dinner did occur, the claim involving Iran is entirely unsupported.
Readers should rely on verified sources and official statements, especially when geopolitical narratives are involved.
References
- PolitiFact Fact Check:
https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2026/apr/28/social-media/Iran-Trump-tiroteo-cena-casa-blanca/ - Official communications and verified social media accounts of Iranian government and leadership
- Public statements reported during press briefings involving Donald Trump