Soccer star Megan Rapinoe is leaving the US after the large Republican win within the 2024 elections, saying “I can not reside right here anymore.”
On Nov. 10, 2024, the Fb web page SpaceX Fanclub posted a meme stating, “Megan Rapinoe leaves USA after MASSIVE RED WAVE, “I Cannot Reside Right here Anymore.” The web page additionally shared a hyperlink to an article on Esspots with the headline, “TRUE: Megan Rapinoe To Go away America Quickly.”
(Fb consumer “SpaceX Fanclub”)
The article stated:
Megan is not simply anybody. She’s a World Cup winner, a fierce advocate for equal rights, and somebody with a penchant for placing poses akin to the Statue of Liberty after scoring objectives. Nevertheless, following a barrage of criticism, principally from of us who imagine their expertise in FIFA video video games qualifies them as soccer analysts, Rapinoe has declared, albeit satirically, her intent to depart.
It started with a tweet, as most trendy epics do. “Considering of leaving the USA. Recommendations for a brand new residence the place they recognize soccer and sarcastic forwards? 🌍✈️🤷♀️ #RespectRapinoe”
The social media world went berserk. Some provided real vacation spot strategies (“Come to Brazil, we love soccer!”), whereas others cheekily really useful nations with out nationwide soccer groups.
Outdoors Rapinoe’s residence, indicators popped up: “Yard Sale – Every little thing Should Go! Particularly Trophies – Acquired too many anyway!” Followers, neighbors, and some misplaced vacationers rummaged via a group of soccer memorabilia, World Cup jerseys, and naturally, hair dye. You’ll be able to’t be Megan Rapinoe with out the long-lasting pink hair.
Some commenters on Fb believed the declare to be actual, writing “So lengthy , Goodbye, Do not hate to see you go!!”
Nevertheless, this merchandise was not a factual recounting of real-life occasions. The meme in query had a “Satire” label on it, The Fb account SpaceX Fanclub is satirical in nature and states in its Fb intro: “We put up SATIRE, nothing on this web page is actual.”
SpaceX Fanclub is an offshoot of the satirical information website Esspots.com. Its web site disclaimer states that every one its posts are “totally fictitious and created for the aim of leisure solely.”
Esspots additionally describes its output as being satirical on its About Us web page:
Welcome to the US web page of Esspots (A Subsidiary of SpaceXMania.com specializing in Satire and Parody Information), your one-stop vacation spot for satirical information and commentary about the US of America. Our staff of writers and editors is devoted to bringing you the most recent and biggest in faux information and absurdity, all with a wholesome dose of humor and satire.
On this web page, you possibly can look forward to finding all kinds of hilarious tales and parodies about US politics, tradition, and society. From outrageous conspiracy theories to outlandish political stunts, we have all of it lined.
No different respected media outlet reported the satirical story about Rapinoe. She has additionally made no such assertion on her X or Instagram accounts.
A couple of weeks earlier than the election, Rapinoe expressed her assist on her podcast for Vice President Kamala Harris and criticized Trump: “I additionally suppose we now have a very superb alternative to elect a Black lady on this nation. … It’s anxious. I’m nervous however I additionally am hopeful. I imagine in folks and I actually imagine in ladies and I imagine that folks need higher than the grim, darkish, simply violent actuality that Donald Trump has very clearly laid out for us.”
Rapinoe additionally interviewed Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, on the podcast.
Snopes has beforehand addressed related claims associated to Rapinoe, together with the false story that she was disqualified from the “Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame” as a result of she knelt for the nationwide anthem.
For background, right here is why we alert readers to rumors created by sources that decision their output humorous or satirical.
