A post on X implies that the sudden resignation of board of the company 23andMe and rapper Diddy’s recent arrest are related and were discussed on Joe Rogan’s podcast.
Why did the board of 23 and me resign the same day Diddy arrested? pic.twitter.com/f93U3M9z1b
— Squirrel Mama (@Squil_Mama) October 21, 2024
Verdict: False
The audio is AI generated and there is no proof that the two events are related in any way.
Fact Check:
23andMe is a popular genomics and biotechnology company that gives customers detailed reports about their ancestry and their genetic inclinations. Founded in 2006, it requires users to mail out a saliva sample which is tested and analyzed to find out various information, such as extended family history and health risks.
The seven independent members of it’s board of directors abruptly resigned in September. Since entire boardrooms resigning is such a rare occurrence, it has inspired a number of conspiracy theories. Entertainer Diddy, real name Sean Combs, was arrested on sex trafficking and racketeering charges in New York City on the same day, leading some to believe the two events are related.
WHAT WAS THE P. DIDDY ARREST STORY POSSIBLY DISTRACTING FROM? 🤔👉 PERHAPS THE RESIGNATION OF ALL THE BOARD MEMBERS FROM 23 AND ME, 🚨 STRANGE THAT IT’S NOT A TOP STORY HEADLINE FOR SEPT 18, 2024 💣💥 @23andMe @23andMeResearch @annewoj23 @Google @sergeybrim #JeffreyEpstein pic.twitter.com/qxyXHCMYxQ
— Lawless Lailapolooza 🇨🇦🇺🇸🍿🎬 (@Lailapolooza_5D) September 19, 2024
A post being shared on X purports to show a clip from the ‘Joe Rogan Experience’ podcast, in which the host is discussing the resignation story with guest Dwayne Johnson. In the audio, Rogan is heard saying that “all of this Diddy stuff isn’t what we should be focused on. Like, it’s just a distraction.” He goes on to claim that the board resigned in protest over “unethical” moves being planned between 23&Me and Google, presumably due to the latter’s investments and also Ms. Wojcicki being the sister of the late YouTube CEO Anne Wojcicki.
This audio has been manipulated, however. The voice heard is an AI representation of Mr.Rogan’s true voice. Check Your Fact ran the video through AI detection service TrueMedia, which found substantial evidence of manipulation.
TrueMedia/Screenshot
Neither the altered video or the X post give any evidence at all that the two events are related. Furthermore, Diddy’s arrest was on the 16th and the official resignation letter was published on the 17th, making them one day apart and not the same day.
Actor Dwayne Johnson is also seen in the viral clip, however his voice is not heard. Johnson was a guest on episode #2063 of the ‘Joe Rogan Experience’, uploaded to Spotify in November 2023 and predating both the Diddy and 23andMe stories by almost 10 months. Johnson can be seen wearing the same shirt in the clip that he is in the podcast thumbnail.
The seven independent members of it’s board of directors abruptly resigned in September amid a dispute with CEO Anne Wojcicki about her plans to take the company private. There is no evidence suggesting any members of the board, past or current, have been linked to the Diddy lawsuit.
The original X post has been hit with a Community Note that gives proper context.