Image via Complex Original
As Twitter has increasingly become known as a source of breaking news--that's right, even before major media outlets and publications (sorry, New York Times)--so too has it become known for spreading false reports of celebrity deaths, marriages, and national tragedies. From reports of Morgan Freeman's passing away to LeBron James joining the Knicks, here are The Most Infamous False Stories in Twitter History.
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Boston Bombing Victims
Year: 2013
After the tragic incident took place in Boston, many Twitter accounts posting "children victims" of the marathon were set up to beg for retweets--they were indeed fake. There were even shameless made-up charity pages calling for donations online and were, thankfully, suspended afterwards.
Justin Bieber Passes Away
Year: 2012
The young Canadian singer was reported dead on Twitter when, in fact, he was spending quality time and fishing with his grandpa. Bieber ensured his 18 just million Bielibers that he was indeed alive and well. Sadly, this was not the first time that Bieber was falsely reported dead on Twitter. Just get used to it, I guess.
R.I.P. Bill Cosby
Year: 2012
Yet another celebrity victim of a Twitter death hoax. A legit-looking Facebook page called "R.I.P Bill Cosby" sparked many tweets speculating whether the 75-year-old was dead. Cosby clarified the misinformation on his own Twitter and called out the instigator. Considering how much we love The Cos, not cool Internet.
Drake and Nicki Minaj Marry
Year: 2010
Drizzy annouced on his Twitter that he tied the knot with Minaj and got a reply from her saying that she's proud to be Mrs. Aubrey Drake Graham. Tons believed it? You bet. But it turns out the rapper was just incorporating his lyrics into the social media: "I love Nicki Minaj, I told her I'd admit it, I hope one day we get married just to say we did it." Clever.
Boo The Dog Has Died
Year: 2012
Never underestimate the power of a cute fluffy puppy--especially when he has more than 7 million Facebook fans. When one of them (shame on you!) tweeted that Boo had died (the photo was actually of Boo just taking a nap), many fans' hearts were broken. Of course, the wounds healed quickly after a Facebook clarification.
LeBron James Joins The Knicks
Year: 2010
Hip-hop and fashion mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs fulfilled his wish of wanting to start a Twitter rumor by tweeting that mega-athlete LeBron James' joined The Knicks. After sending the Internet into an uproar, Combs said he was "only jokin" and that James' actually going to Miami. We're willing to bet New Yorkers didn't find this funny at all, Diddy.
Steve Jobs Dead?
Year: 2011
We all know that Apple's fearless (and beloved) leader, Steve Jobs, passed away in October of 2011. But about a month ago before Jobs' death, CBS falsely reported the tech visionary was dead--and it was trending on Twitter even though the tweet was removed promptly after.
Morgan Freeman Passes Away
Year: 2010
A breaking tweet saying Morgan Freeman was dead was allegedly sent out by CNN. Despite the fact that the news company denied all accusations afterward and claimed that they never reported Freeman's (fake) death, there were still countless retweets rolling across the web. Seeing is believing, CNN.
Lil Wayne on Life Support, Being Given Last Rights
Year: 2013
TMZ is known for its quick and outlandish newsflahes; sometimes the gossip site is accurate (Michael Jackson's death in 2009), but other times it's mere sensation. The online tabloid shocked the entertainment world by claiming that Lil Wayne was in an induced coma and his last rites were being read when hospitalized. The rapper's family blasted TMZ for false reporting right after.
Obama Is Dead
Year: 2011
Fox News' Twitter account was said to be compromised by hackers who tweeted that President Obama was assasinated on July 4th. Needless to say, the tweet went viral in seconds and was retweeted across the Internet a thousand times over.