Donald Trump faced online backlash after sharing a spoof Wikipedia page that inaccurately claimed he is the ‘acting president of Venezuela’.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration initiated an operation targeting the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are facing multiple serious criminal charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess such weapons against the United States.
The Venezuelan leader has proclaimed his innocence, maintaining his stance that he is ‘still president’.
Following the military action in Venezuela, Trump declared at a press conference that the US would be overseeing Venezuela, despite the formal swearing-in of Delcy Rodríguez as the acting president of the country.
In an interview with The Atlantic, Trump suggested that Rodríguez could face severe consequences if she fails to comply with his directives to transfer control of Venezuela’s nationalized oil industry to US corporate interests, following its expropriation over two decades ago.
Despite Rodríguez’s interim leadership, Trump appears to consider himself in charge of Venezuela after posting a doctored Wikipedia page on his Truth Social platform, declaring him the ‘acting president of Venezuela’.
The incident prompted many to voice their criticisms on X, targeting Trump and his communications team over the post.
“Because nothing says stable individual as posting fake data about yourself in imaginary positions,” one user remarked on X.
Another user commented: “Biggest deranged troll in America.”
Adding to the criticism, a third user said: “What an absolute disgrace and embarrassment.”
Amidst these controversies, Trump continues to express his intentions to annex Greenland from Denmark in the future.
During a conversation with journalists on Air Force One on Sunday (January 11), the president emphasized his belief that if the US does not acquire Greenland, it would fall into the hands of China or Russia.
Trump also criticized NATO, the military alliance of which the US is a member.
“I’m not going to let that happen. One way or the other, we’re going to have Greenland,” the president stated.
He continued, “Maybe NATO would be upset if I did it… we’d save a lot of money. I like NATO. I just wonder whether or not if needed NATO would they be there for us? I’m not sure they would.”
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, has previously indicated that ‘all options’, including ‘military force’, remain available for Trump regarding the acquisition of Greenland.
This proposal has met with widespread condemnation from global leaders.
The White House has been contacted for a statement.