Meme template used to show bar reacting to Justin Trudeau resignation | Fact check
The claim: Video shows Canadians reacting to Justin Trudeau's resignation
A Jan. 6 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) shows a large crowd jumping and cheering in a bar as a large screen shows footage of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying, "I intend to resign." The text at the top of the video lists conservative commentator Benny Johnson as the source.
"ALL Canadians are celebrating this news!" reads the post's caption.
The post garnered more than 20,000 likes in three days. Other versions of the claim were shared on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and X.
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Our rating: Manipulated media
The footage of Trudeau was edited into a common meme template of a crowd cheering. The video of the crowd was originally captured in England during the 2016 UEFA European Football Championship.
Video altered to show crowd cheering for Trudeau's resignation
Trudeau announced on Jan. 6 that he intends to resign after a new leader of Canada's Liberal Party is elected, ending a nine-year run as the country's prime minister. The decision comes amid growing pressure for Trudeau to step down ahead of a forecasted landslide election loss for his Liberal Party.
But the video showing a crowd cheering in response to Trudeau's resignation is not legitimate.
The original video of the crowded bar was uploaded on YouTube in 2016, more than eight years before Trudeau's announcement. The footage shows fans at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol, England, celebrating the country's win against Wales during the UEFA European Football Championship, also known as the Euro 2016, according to the video's title.
The video was captured after an English player scored a last-minute goal, winning the game for his team, according to CBS Sports.
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It has since become a popular meme edited to fit various scenarios such as this one.
Paste BN previously debunked similarly edited versions of the video showing the crowd reacting to President-elect Donald Trump's 2024 conviction and Kyle Rittenhouse's 2021 acquittal. Other versions showed the bar celebrating a 2021 clip of President Joe Biden tripping up a flight of stairs and a screenshot of Trump's 2023 mugshot.
Paste BN reached out to the user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
AFP and Reuters also debunked the claim.
Our fact-check sources
- Paste BN, Nov. 23, 2021, Fact check: Altered video falsely claims to show jubilant reaction to Rittenhouse verdict in a bar
- Paste BN, May 31, 2024, Clip of crowd celebrating Trump conviction is edited video of 2016 soccer win | Fact check
- Heart News West Country (YouTube), June 16, 2016, Fans at Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol, celebrate England winner against Wales at Euro 2016
- CBS Sports, June 16, 2016, Watch as a bar in England goes nuts after late winner vs. Wales in Euro 2016
- Know Your Meme, Nov. 6, 2024, Soccer Celebration In A Bar
- AFP, May 24, 2021, The video is doctored from a meme circulating online since 2016
- Snopes, Aug. 25. 2023, Video of Crowd Celebrating Release of Trump's Mugshot Is Fake
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