A Facebook post dated January 9 includes a photo supposedly depicting former President Barack Obama on a boat with a young girl and Jeffrey Epstein, the late disgraced financier implicated in alleged sex trafficking. The post questions the circumstances, falsely insinuating Obama’s association with Epstein. Our investigation rates this claim as false, clarifying that the photo actually features Obama with actor George Clooney during a June 2019 boat ride in Italy.
Refuting the False Claim:
The Facebook post in question wrongly suggests Obama’s connection to Jeffrey Epstein in a boat with a young girl. Our investigation reveals that the image, which circulated on social media, captures a moment from Obama’s vacation in June 2019, where he and his family enjoyed a boat ride on Lake Como with George Clooney and his family. Contrary to the claim, Jeffrey Epstein is not present in this photo.
Obama’s Vacation with Family:
During June 2019, former President Obama was on vacation in Europe with his family. The boat ride in question occurred on Lake Como, where they joined actor George Clooney and his family. USA TODAY published a photo from the cruise, highlighting the presence of Obama and Clooney along with their respective families. This evidence refutes the false narrative that implicates Obama in any inappropriate activities with Epstein.
Debunking Claims about Epstein Island:
The misleading Facebook post further suggests that Obama visited Epstein Island, but there is no credible evidence supporting this assertion. Additionally, our fact-check reveals that Obama’s name was not mentioned in recently unsealed documents related to a lawsuit linked to Epstein. As noted in a prior fact check by USA TODAY, there is no basis for connecting Obama to Epstein’s activities through legal documents.
Inaccuracies Regarding Other Individuals:
The Facebook post expands its claims to include other notable figures, such as former President Donald Trump, Prince Andrew, John Travolta, Beyoncé, and Katy Perry. However, it is crucial to clarify that not all individuals mentioned in the post are accused of wrongdoing. Some, like Trump and Prince Andrew, have faced scrutiny in relation to Epstein, but others, including John Travolta, Beyoncé, and Katy Perry, have not been linked to Epstein’s activities in any reputable reporting.
Outreach to the Facebook User:
We attempted to contact the user who shared the misleading post for comment but did not receive an immediate response. The importance of fact-checking and verifying information before sharing it on social media is emphasized, as false claims can perpetuate misinformation and harm individuals’ reputations.
The Facebook post alleging Obama’s presence on a boat with Jeffrey Epstein and a young girl is debunked as false. The photo in question captures Obama with George Clooney during a 2019 vacation, and there is no credible evidence supporting claims of Obama visiting Epstein Island. It is crucial to rely on accurate information and fact-checking to prevent the spread of false narratives and the potential harm it can cause to individuals’ reputations.