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Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was arrested Monday at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The arrest unfolded after a vigilant customer recognized him from surveillance images shared by authorities.
In the aftermath, a viral social media post purportedly from McDonald’s rival Burger King added fuel to the fire. The post, which read “We don’t snitch,” claimed to poke fun at McDonald’s role in Mangione’s capture. However, investigations have revealed the post to be a fabricated image, created using an online tool for generating fake tweets.
The Viral Fake Post: How Social Media Was Duped
The controversy began on December 9, 2024, when Twitter user @MikeBeauvais shared what appeared to be a screenshot of the Burger King tweet. The user added, “Luigi Mangione shouldn’t have gone to McDonald’s,” in a jab at Mangione’s choice of hideout. The post quickly amassed 5.9 million views, sparking discussions across platforms like Reddit and X, formerly known as Twitter.
Yet, a closer examination revealed glaring inconsistencies in the alleged tweet. Experts noted discrepancies in the formatting, such as the smaller font size for the date and the use of outdated terms like “Retweets” and “Quote Tweets,” which X retired after Elon Musk’s rebranding in 2023.
Burger King has not publicly commented on the fake post, but analysts confirmed its inauthenticity. Using an online “Tweet Generator” tool, Newsweek successfully replicated the screengrab, affirming that the viral image was doctored.
New Details Emerge About Mangione’s Arrest
On Tuesday, Pennsylvania State Police released new images of Mangione at the McDonald’s where he was apprehended. The photos show Mangione wearing a mustard-colored beanie and a dark jacket, eating a hash brown with his blue face mask removed.
The arrest followed a massive manhunt for Mangione, who was initially charged with illegal firearm possession. After a court appearance, he now faces murder charges in connection with Thompson’s death.
Social Media Reactions to the Fake Post
While the fake Burger King tweet sparked widespread interest, reactions were mixed. Many users expressed amusement, while others criticized the spread of misinformation:
- @FactChecker101: “Fake news strikes again! It’s a shame people fall for these doctored tweets so easily.”
- @FriesForever: “I guess Burger King is taking their ‘have it your way’ slogan to a whole new level. 😂”
- @JusticeForThompson: “Disgusting how people are making jokes about a murder suspect. This is no laughing matter.”
- @BKFan4Life: “I knew it was fake! Burger King would never post something so insensitive.”
- @SocialMediaGuru: “This is why media literacy is crucial—too many people believe everything they see online.”
- @HashBrownLover: “If you’re on the run, maybe avoid McDonald’s next time, Mangione. 😂”
The Dangers of Fake News in the Digital Age
The incident highlights the challenges of combating misinformation in an era where doctored images and posts can quickly go viral. Experts emphasize the need for vigilance and media literacy to prevent the spread of false narratives.
While the fake Burger King tweet was harmless in its intent, it underscores the potential harm such misinformation can cause in more serious scenarios. As platforms like X continue to evolve, ensuring accountability and transparency will remain critical.
