On a lively Tuesday afternoon, Senator Mike Lee, a Republican from Utah, stirred up quite the buzz on social media with an eager tweet about the Federal Reserve’s Chairman, Jerome Powell. He excitedly announced that Powell would be resigning. However, the letter Lee based his excitement on was not genuine—it was fabricated. This isn’t the first time Lee has faced scrutiny over fake news.
“Powell’s out!” Lee triumphantly proclaimed in a tweet that has since been deleted, as captured by writer Ben Jacobs in a screenshot.
The letter Lee shared claimed that “new leadership” was essential for the Fed’s ongoing mission and stated, “After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, effective at the close of business today, July 22, 2025.” However, the letter was rife with typographical errors and formatting issues, including a misplaced comma followed by a capitalized letter, hinting at its dubious origin. While some might associate such errors with certain public figures, they are unusual for educated individuals like Powell. Moreover, the word “institution’s” was oddly split across two lines, and a large watermark with jumbled text suggested it bore the marks of artificial intelligence.
Lee appears to have come across the misleading letter from one of the many accounts on X sharing this false news, highlighting how quickly misinformation can spread on social platforms. The rush to share breaking news often leads to a lack of due diligence, which is particularly concerning coming from a sitting senator—one of only 100 individuals wielding significant influence over national policies.
Interestingly, Lee wasn’t the only one caught in this web of deception. Benny Johnson, a notorious far-right influencer, also shared the same letter. What’s particularly amusing about this blunder is Lee’s history of engaging with fake news on X, especially post-Elon Musk’s acquisition of the platform. Just last year, he mistakenly endorsed a tweet about the supposed death of former President Jimmy Carter. Coincidentally, that was just a day off from the current date.
The misinformation surrounding Jimmy Carter was even more absurd than the Powell resignation letter. It included ludicrous references, such as labeling former First Lady Nancy Reagan with crude terms and referring to Rosalynn Carter as “the original Brat.” Ironically, the genuine news of President Carter’s passing later occurred on December 29, 2024.
So, what makes Lee susceptible to this kind of misinformation? The answer remains elusive. After all, he is a law school graduate, seemingly equipped with the intelligence to discern fact from fiction.
How can lawmakers ensure the information they share is accurate? They must invest the time to verify sources and content rigorously before hitting the send button. Given the gravity of their positions, even a single mistake can undermine public trust.
Is there a broader trend of lawmakers spreading misinformation? Yes, it seems more frequent now than ever, as social media blurs the lines between genuine news and rumors. The rapid pace at which content is generated often leads to hasty conclusions.
What strategies can individuals apply to verify news before sharing? The best approach is to check multiple reputable news outlets and look for original sources. Utilizing fact-checking websites can also bolster your research.
Ultimately, with the stakes as high as they are in today’s political landscape, taking a moment to verify information can save a lot of trouble. Let’s take these lessons to heart as we navigate an era where misinformation can spread like wildfire.
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