Several social media users posted a statement from United States President Donald Trump allegedly supporting former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte following his arrest on the strength of a warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC). This is fake.
Uploaded on March 12, the erroneous post, packaged like a news report from British media outlet BBC News, bore a caption that read:
“Breaking: Trump Speaks Out on Duterte’s Arrest.
US President Donald Trump has made his first public comments regarding the arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who was flown to The Hague today to face charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC).”
The post carries a quote card from Trump that said:
“Duterte — what a guy, tremendous guy, really fantastic, probably the best relationship if ever. Unlike Marcos Jr., he’s like Sleepy Joe Biden – total disaster. Tremendous disaster.
I will tell you right now, if the Philippines doesn’t bring back Duterte, we’re going to impose 50% tariffs. Big tariffs. Huge tariffs. No one wants that. Believe me.”
There are no verified records of Trump or any official U.S. government agency issuing such a statement on Duterte’s arrest and eventual detention in the Netherlands.
Read the full story on VERA Files Fact Check.
