A viral image shared on X purports to show an obscene anti-Trump billboard outside Madison Square Garden.
Looks like New Yorkers are all set for Donnie’s Madison Square Garden Nazi rally today. pic.twitter.com/7xt4bxIwth
— Stivali Ryder 🌊🇺🇲🌻🇺🇦♀️ 🌈 #BlueCrew (@StivaliRyder) October 27, 2024
Verdict: False
The claim is false, as the image is digitally altered. The original image, shared on Getty Images, shows a billboard that reads, “We Love New York” outside Madison Square Garden during the global COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020.
Fact Check:
Former President Donald Trump held a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 27, according to Reuters. Despite criticism of the rally, including comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s joke labeling Puerto Rico as “an island of floating garbage,” Trump referred to the event as “an absolute lovefest,” ABC News reported.
The X image, viewed over two million times as of writing, purports to show an obscene anti-Trump billboard outside Madison Square Garden. “Looks like New Yorkers are all set for Donnie’s Madison Square Garden Nazi rally today,” the image’s caption reads. The image, shared to the platform on October 27, shows an “F–k Trump” billboard that features a middle finger flipping off the former Republican President.
The claim is false, as the image is digitally altered. The original image, shared on Getty Images, shows a billboard that reads, “We Love New York” outside Madison Square Garden during the global COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020.
“A view outside the Madison Square Garden during the coronavirus pandemic on April 20, 2020 in New York City. COVID-19 has spread to most countries around the world, claiming over 184,000 lives lost with over 2.6 million infections reported,” the image’s caption reads.
Likewise, Trump does not appear to have referenced the claim on his 2024 campaign website, his TRUTH Social account, or his verified social media accounts. (RELATED: Trump Campaign Ad Claims 435,719 Released Illegal Immigrants Are Convicted Criminals)
Additionally, Check Your Fact found no credible news reports to support the claim. If the billboard was authentic, multiple media outlets would’ve covered it, yet none have. In fact, the opposite is true. On Oct. 29, PolitiFact debunked the claim, indicating the image had been digitally altered.
Check Your Fact has contacted Madison Square Garden for comment.