Oprah Winfrey was forced to issue a statement denying that she was arrested by federal agents this week as part of a Hollywood-wide sex trafficking ring.
“Just got a phone call that my name is trending. And being trolled for some awful FAKE thing. It’s NOT TRUE. Haven’t been raided, or arrested,” Winfrey tweeted late Tuesday. “Just sanitizing and self distancing with the rest of the world. Stay safe everybody.”
Her response was to an unverified post that claimed that Winfrey’s house in Boca Raton, Florida, had been raided by the authorities. The bizarre report not only alleged that Winfrey was a part of the sex trafficking ring, but that the mogul’s home was excavated to reveal underground tunnels to transport her victims.
The rumors were reported started by QAnon, a far-right conspiracy theory group.
Yes. Underground tunnels.
She was not the only celebrity connected to the false story.
Hollywood actor Tom Hanks, who is in self-quarantine after he tested positive for coronavirus, was supposedly in police custody– and the virus announcement was just a ‘cover’ for his arrest according to the post. Celine Dion, Madonna, Charley Barkley and Kevin Spacey were allegedly arrested for ‘pedophilia’ the fake report says, and will all claim to have the virus too in the coming days.
Andy Lassner, an employee of Ellen DeGeneres, expressed his concern over how easily people believed the outlandish and false reports.
“The staggering amount of people believing a 100% fake story about Oprah doesn’t make me feel good about the chances of society continuing,” Lassner said.
We’re just happy the Oprah is ok.
