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Is White House on fire today? Debunking viral post

A Facebook post claiming the White House caught fire on Friday has gone viral. The post falsely claimed, "White House is Engulfed in Flames Moments ago."

Updated on: Jun 21, 2025, 09:24:30 IST
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A Facebook post falsely claiming the White House caught fire on Friday has gone viral, sparking confusion and concern across social media.

A Facebook post claiming the White House caught fire on Friday has gone viral. (REUTERS)
A Facebook post claiming the White House caught fire on Friday has gone viral. (REUTERS)

The post, shared by a page called Today Story around 11 p.m. EDT, stated: “U.S President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Are On The Run as White House is Engulfed in Flames Moments ago, sending thick plumes of smoke into the skies above the nation’s capital. Emergency services are currently on the scene battling the blaze, which appears to have originated in the West Wing around 11:45 AM.”

However, the claim is entirely false. There has been no official statement from the White House or President Donald Trump, and no credible news outlet has reported any such incident. No fire or emergency was reported at the White House on Friday.

Several users quickly pointed out the misinformation in the comments section.

One person wrote, “So since Facebook doesn't fact check anymore you can now post whatever I see.”

Another commented, “My sources say this is fake news."

A third person wrote, “I guarantee our phones would be going off if it was true.”

Another wrote, “Stop trying to make fetch happen, it's not going to happen!”

Another Viral Post

This follows another viral Facebook post from two days earlier, which falsely claimed there was an emergency at the White House after the building’s lights were turned off.

The post read, “Unusual...The White House shut its lights out tonight. What is going on ?!”

The post sparked alarm online, with some users speculating it signaled a potential blackout related to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.

One person asked, “Black out coming?”

Another wrote, “Trump told a reporter a few hours ago he is danger. Maybe he’s afraid of a strike?”

However, it is important to note that the White House routinely turns off its exterior lights around 11 p.m., which is a standard practice and not indicative of any emergency.

  • Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan

    Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan leads the US Desk at Hindustan Times, where she writes, strategises coverage, and ensures quality across all beats. With eight years of experience covering US news for leading publications, she has reported extensively on politics, entertainment, and sports. Vaishnavi holds a graduate degree in English, Journalism, and Psychology, and completed her PG Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the Manorama School of Communication, where she was awarded the prestigious Mammen Mappillai Award for Best Outgoing Student. She began her career at the International Business Times (US Edition), covering US breaking news, politics, and entertainment. She later joined Opoyi, reporting across all beats, including US sports and trending stories. Prior to Hindustan Times, she served as World Lead at Times Now News, covering comprehensive world news and events. Vaishnavi has expertise in politics, entertainment, and breaking news, and enjoys tackling stories across a wide range of topics. Beyond the newsroom, she is an avid traveller, a foodie who loves exploring new restaurants, and a pop culture enthusiast who enjoys watching latest shows and films. She also enjoys engaging in debates and discussions on Reddit.Read More

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