“This is a 1927 News Article showing America was sold to five Billionaires The Rothschild’s, Rockefellers, DuPont’s, Harriman’s and Warburg’s.”
Stand up for the facts!
Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.
I would like to contribute
No, America wasn't sold to 5 billionaires. That's a headline from The Onion
If Your Time is short
- The post is made to look like a newspaper page from the 1920s.
- The page and its fake headlines were created by The Onion.
The Facebook post begins with this question:
"Do you still think United States is a Country, owned by the people?"
The post then shows what appears to be part of the front page of a newspaper, although the name of the paper is not visible.
The page includes this headline in all-capital letters:
"Billionaires Buy U.S. from Millionaires."
The text of the article is too blurry to read.
Below that is a caption with grammatical errors that claims:
"This is a 1927 News Article showing America was sold to five Billionaires The Rothschild’s, Rockefellers , DuPont’s, Harriman’s and Warburg’s."
The post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)
Sign up for PolitiFact texts
One of the comments on the post says the newspaper page was produced by The Onion, known for its satirical headlines and stories.
That’s correct.
On Aug. 24, 2005, under the headline "August 23, 1927," The Onion posted what looks like the front page of a newspaper from the 1920s.
Featured Fact-check
The newspaper’s name — The Onion — is clearly visible at the top.
Below the main headline are subheads that are further proof that The Onion was merely having fun: "Future of Nation in Yet Wealthier Hands; Rich Will Regulate Government, Citizenry."
Our ruling
A Facebook post claims: "This is a 1927 News Article showing America was sold to five Billionaires The Rothschild’s, Rockefellers , DuPont’s, Harriman’s and Warburg’s."
The article is a spoof from The Onion.
We rate the claim Pants on Fire!
Our Sources
Facebook, post, Feb. 9, 2020
The Onion, "August 23, 1927," Aug. 24, 2005
Browse the Truth-O-Meter
More by Tom Kertscher
No, America wasn't sold to 5 billionaires. That's a headline from The Onion
Support independent fact-checking.
Become a member!
In a world of wild talk and fake news, help us stand up for the facts.