If you saw a screenshot claiming Donald Trump posted “I’M NOT INCOMPITENT!!!!” and felt your jaw drop, you’re not alone. That image circulated widely online in June 2025 and resurfaced again recently, but it’s a fake screenshot. In this article I’ll walk you through how the claim was debunked, why the fake screenshot spread so quickly, and practical steps anyone can take to avoid being fooled by manipulated social posts.
How we know the post was a fake screenshot
The first and clearest sign that the image was not authentic came from archives of the platform in question. Researchers and independent fact-checkers searched verified archives of Donald Trump’s posts and found no record matching the all-caps phrase. That absence is important: the platform keeps complete logs of verified posts, and nothing like the viral image appears in those logs.
Second, the viral image itself contains small but telling anomalies that are classic markers of a fake screenshot. The font spacing, timestamp placement and the way text wraps were slightly off compared with genuine posts from the verified account. Graphic edits like those are often subtle, and that’s why a fake screenshot can fool people at first glance.
Third, tracing the image’s history showed it had already appeared in June 2025 on social media pages that openly labeled themselves as satire or parody. In other words, the image’s earliest hosts signaled that it was not a real post, but the image later escaped those context clues and circulated as if it were factual.
Why the fake screenshot spread so quickly
There are a few powerful reasons the fake screenshot gained traction. One is confirmation bias: people are primed to accept information that fits their existing views. If a fake screenshot supports a person’s impression of a public figure, they’re more likely to share it without checking.
Another reason is the speed and design of social platforms. Visuals like screenshots are treated as self-contained evidence and are easy to share. A quick tap and an image hops from feed to feed; context gets stripped away, and the original source (often satire) is lost in the shuffle.
Finally, recycled memes and images often reappear with new captions or in new contexts. The same fake screenshot that circulated in June 2025 resurfaced months later because someone reposted it without explanation, and the momentum built again.
How researchers traced the fake screenshot back to its origins
Digital sleuths and fact-checking teams followed a few standard steps to trace the image. First, they ran reverse-image searches to find the earliest digitized appearances of the screenshot. That led to a Facebook group and parody pages that posted the image in late June 2025.
Next, they checked platform archives that catalog verified public posts. These archives are searchable and keep a complete record of every post from well-known accounts. No match was found for the phrasing in the viral image.
Finally, investigators compared the graphic properties of the screenshot against verified posts: pixel alignment, timestamps, platform icons and typeface nuances. Those editorial details confirmed that the screenshot was crafted by someone outside the official posting system, in short, a doctored image.
Tips to spot a fake screenshot before you share it
Look closely at the small details. Real posts come with consistent font sizing, exact timestamp formats and platform branding that match other verified posts. If anything looks off, awkward line breaks, mismatched fonts, or inconsistent spacing, treat the image with suspicion.
Verify with the original account. If the screenshot claims to be from a high-profile account, search the platform’s official archive or the user’s verified feed to confirm. If you can’t find the same content on the verified account, don’t assume the screenshot is real.
Check the earliest source. Use reverse-image search tools to see where an image first appeared. If the earliest hits are satire pages or groups known for parody, that’s a strong red flag.
Ask for context. If a post seems sensational, pause and look for reporting from established news organizations or the platform’s own records. Verified facts typically appear across multiple reputable sources; a single circulating image is not enough.
Why this fact check matters beyond one viral image
Misinformation in the form of a fake screenshot isn’t harmless. Even a single widely shared image can shape public opinion, fuel partisan outrage, or distract from real news. When manipulated visuals go viral, they corrode trust in online information and make it harder for people to tell what’s true.
The “I’M NOT INCOMPETENT!!!!” fake screenshot is a reminder that visuals are persuasive and easy to manipulate. That makes media literacy not a nicety, but a necessity for anyone who uses social media to stay informed.
What platforms and watchdogs can do about fake screenshots
Platforms can improve detection by investing in tools that flag visual edits and comparing user-shared images against archives of verified content. They can also make it easier for users to search official archives and to see the provenance of an image.
Independent fact-checkers and newsrooms can continue to play a vital role by swiftly documenting hoaxes, publishing timelines of how an image spread, and explaining the small technical details that show an image is altered. Public awareness campaigns about manipulated visuals would also help.
Final thoughts and next steps for readers
A little skepticism goes a long way. When you encounter a dramatic image or claim, take two minutes to verify it. Use reverse-image search tools, check verified archives, and look for reporting from trusted outlets. Encourage friends and family to pause before resharing viral posts, that tiny delay could stop a fake screenshot from going viral.
Disclaimer: This article summarizes publicly available information and archived post records related to the viral image in question. Times, dates and archives referenced are based on available searches at the time of writing; official platform records should be consulted for permanent verification.
