Jimmy Carter death hoax tricks social media users

Former US president Jimmy Carter is in hospice care, but reports of his death are premature. (John Amis/AP PHOTO)

What was claimed

The office of Jimmy Carter has announced the former US president has died, aged 99.

Our verdict

False. The statement is fake, posted by an X user to test if people fall for sensationalist headlines.

AAP FACTCHECK - Former US president Jimmy Carter has apparently died, according to a statement doing the rounds on social media.

This is false. The statement about the former Democrat president is fake, posted by a user to see if people would fall for sensationalist headlines.

The claim appears in Facebook posts featuring an image resembling an official document titled "The Office of Jimmy Carter" and topped with the US presidential seal.

“Former US President Jimmy Carter (James Earl Carter, JR.), a passionate champion of human rights, democracy, WWII veteran, and the 39th President of the United States, passed away Tuesday, July 23, at 01:34 a.m at his home in Plains, Georgia, at the age of 99,” the statement says.

Another post featuring the picture says: “RIP Jimmy Carter! Gone To Heaven To Be With Jesus and His Beloved Wife Rosalyn (sic) Carter!”

“So, Jimmy Carter live long enough to see a worse president than him, RIP..” another post says. 

The X post which appears to have started the false claim.
X readers explained that the user posted the hoax statement to see "how gullible people are".

Republican Senator Mike Lee reportedly posted the statement on X, formerly Twitter, with the caption: “My thoughts and prayers are with his family”.

US far-right internet personality Laura Loomer, also reportedly shared the statement on X.

However, there’s no such statement on the website of the Carter Centre, a not-for-profit founded by the former president and his late wife Rosalynn.

AAP FactCheck traced the statement to an X post, with the caption: “BREAKING — Former President Jimmy Carter has passed away. He was 99 years old.”

Errors and bizarre quotes in the document indicate that it's not authentic and wasn’t posted by Carter's family.

For example, the second paragraph criticises Mr Carter’s single term in office, saying he “achieved significant foreign policy accomplishments including: selling the United States out to Panama…”. 

Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn in 2015.
A statement about the death of former US president Jimmy Carter is a fake made as a prank.

Words such as 'administration' and 'being' have also been misspelled as 'administation' and 'bweing'.

The document includes several vulgar quotes about the late Rosalynn Carter and another former US first lady, Nancy Reagan.

It also claims that Mr Carter’s son Chip said: “He will be sorely missed not only by our family but by the American people and our enemies around the world who thrive today because of his peace-through-weakness agenda”.

The original X post reveals that the statement is a hoax in the image description, which can be accessed by clicking on the “ALT” tab on the picture.

“President Carter is still alive and in hospice care. This was an experiment to see how gullible people are to sensationalist headlines,” it says. 

Several hours after publishing the original post, the same user replied, saying: “Big thank you yo (sic) everyone who fell for this. Particularly for proving me right: people only read headlines.”

The Carter Centre confirmed to Reuters Fact Check that it had published no such statement.

The Verdict

False – The claim is inaccurate.

AAP FactCheck is an accredited member of the International Fact-Checking Network. To keep up with our latest fact checks, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store