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Viral screenshot of Trump reacting to Maiduguri attack doctored

Nurudeen Akewushola
Nurudeen Akewushola
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United States of America President, Donald Trump
United States of America President, Donald Trump

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AN X user, @ioccupyNigeria, has shared a screenshot claiming it shows a comment by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, reacting to the recent bombing incident in Maiduguri, Borno State.

According to the screenshot, Trump described the situation as a “total disaster” and urged Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, to return home immediately from his trip abroad to deal with it.

READ : Trump did NOT revoke 80,000 Nigerian visas

The post reads:

“The situation in Nigeria is a TOTAL DISASTER. Massive, coordinated suicide bombings tonight in Maiduguri. A hospital, a major market, the post office—all hit! Many innocent people killed. This is what happens when you have NO LEADERSHIP and open borders for terrorists! While his country is in a state of NATIONAL EMERGENCY, President Tinubu is currently in the UK on a “State Visit.” Unbelievable! Shaking hands and having fancy dinners while his people are being blown up? I don’t think so! Prime Minister Starmer should tell him to get on a plane and GO HOME IMMEDIATELY. You don’t stay abroad during a crisis like this. A real leader is on the ground with the military and the people, not cutting ribbons in London. Nigeria is a great country with wonderful people, but they are being let down by a government that isn’t focused on STRENGTH and SECURITY. Close the borders, find the terrorists, and PROTECT YOUR CITIZENS. Everything else can wait. TRUTH!”

The user accompanied the screenshot with the caption:

“When Trump has to tell our President to go home and lead, you know the situation is critical.Maiduguri is in mourning, families are shattered, and yet the “State Visit” in London continues. Trump is right about one thing: this is a NATIONAL EMERGENCY. Tinubu, get on the plane. Now.

The claim has also surfaced on several other X accounts such as here.

CLAIM

Screenshot shows Trump’s reaction to the Maiduguri attack.

SCREENSHOT OF THE VIRAL POST

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

At least 23 people were reportedly killed following multiple explosions in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The Borno State Police Command confirmed that 108 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in the attacks, which were carried out by suspected suicide bombers.

According to the police, the explosions occurred around 7:24 p.m. at three locations: Monday Market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office Flyover area. The incident has drawn widespread reactions from Nigerians both at home and abroad.

The attack coincided with President Tinubu’s visit to the United Kingdom, where he is scheduled to meet with King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

READ ALSO : How lack of coordination marred Nigeria’s reaction after Trump’s military action threat

However, checks by The FactCheckHub show that the viral screenshot attributed to Trump is doctored.

For instance, the viral post displays only a single red verification tick. In contrast, authentic posts by Donald Trump on Truth Social typically feature both a red verification tick and the platform’s official Truth Social icon.

Example of Trump’s post with verification tick and Truth Social icon

Donald Trump is known to be very active on social media especially Truth Social. However, the alleged statement does not appear on his Truth Social account, showing that the screenshot is not authentic.

A review of his official X and Facebook pages, as well as the White House website, where his statements and remarks are typically published, also shows no evidence supporting the claim.

On March 17, 2026, Sunday Dare, special adviser on media and public communication to Bola Tinubu, shared the viral screenshot and labelled it “FAKE.”

Additionally, there are no reports from credible local or international media organisations confirming that Trump made such remarks.

Given the prominence of the figures involved, such a statement would have attracted widespread media coverage if it were genuine.

VERDICT

The claim that the screenshot shows Trump reacting to the Maiduguri attack is FALSE. The screenshot is doctored, and there is no evidence that Trump made the statement.

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Nurudeen Akewushola is a fact-checker with FactCheckHub. He has authored several fact checks which have contributed to the fight against information disorder. You can reach him via nyahaya@icirnigeria.org and @NurudeenAkewus1 via Twitter.

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