Old video of Trump talking about COVID-19 linked to mpox outbreak

What is the claim?

Multiple social media users are sharing a video of former United States (U.S.) President Donald Trump advising against complying with lockdowns and vaccine mandates intended to address any new variant that might disrupt the upcoming presidential election.

The video is accompanied by claims that Trump is referring to the recent mpox outbreak, which the World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared a public health emergency of international concern.

These videos have gained significant attention across various social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube.

One X user posted the video with the caption: “Yesterday, the WHO declared the monkeypox epidemic a public health emergency of international concern. The number of infections was 14,000, and the death toll was 524. Trump today said the monkeypox 'pandemic' could be used to force new lockdowns and rig the US presidential election.” Archives of this and other posts can be found here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Screenshot of similar claims (Source: X/Modified by Logically Facts)

However, upon investigation, it is clear that the video dates back to August 30, 2023, when Trump was discussing a new COVID-19 strain, not the mpox outbreak.

What are the facts?

The original video, posted on Trump’s official Truth Social account, is 1 minute and 33 seconds long and is archived here. It is captioned, “To every COVID tyrant who wants to take away our freedom, hear these words—WE WILL NOT COMPLY!” A similar video was also posted on the Trump campaign’s official X account (@TeamTrump) on the same date and is archived here.

Screenshot of the original video posted on August 30, 2023 (Source: Truthsocial: realdonaldtrump/X: TeamTrump/Modified by Logically Facts)

The viral video and the original video do not contain any references to monkeypox or mpox. Instead, Trump discusses a COVID-19 variant, indicating that the video is unrelated to the current mpox outbreak.

In August 2023, a new COVID-19 strain was emerging, with cases reported in multiple countries and at least four U.S. states. In the video, Trump advises against complying with lockdowns, mask mandates, and vaccine requirements, accusing “left-wing lunatics” of trying to revive COVID hysteria for political gains in the 2024 election. Trump also repeats his debunked claim that the 2020 election was rigged and that similar attempts are being made to rig the 2024 election.

Newsweek, an American magazine, featured a clip from the original video in a report titled “Donald Trump Blasts New Mask Mandates: ‘We Will Not Comply.’” We also found other reports that carried a similar video snippet from Trump’s statement.

Mpox outbreak

• On August 14, 2024, the WHO declared mpox a global public health emergency due to an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to neighboring African countries.

• On August 16, 2024, Sweden's public health agency reported the first confirmed case of mpox outside of Africa, involving an individual who contracted the clade I variant during a stay in Africa.

• Pakistan also confirmed its first mpox case on the same day, involving a person returning from the Middle East. The Philippines reported its first case on August 19, 2024.

• Mpox is an infectious disease characterized by a painful rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. For more details, click here.

The verdict

The viral video circulating online, claiming to show Trump calling for non-compliance with lockdowns and vaccine mandates, is misleading. The video, from August 2023, addresses COVID-19, not mpox.

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19, including symptoms, prevention, and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organization or your national healthcare authority.