Fake Dick Cheney Death Announcement Spreads via Parody Account

A false announcement claiming former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney had died at age 83 originated from a parody X account impersonating Russian state media outlet RT, sparking widespread confusion online. The post, shared by the account @RTNewsAmerica, which identifies itself as a “Parody artist” in its bio, read: “BREAKING: Dick Cheney has died at age eighty-three.” The narrative gained traction after being amplified by conspiracy theorists without context.

The authentic RT website links to its official X account, @RT_com, and does not operate a separate U.S.-focused account. RT’s U.S. operations, including its top editor Margarita Simonyan, were targeted by the U.S. Justice Department in September 2023 over allegations of exacerbating political divisions and undermining support for Ukraine. Simonyan stated on September 8 that RT would continue operations in the U.S. despite restrictions.

As of January 6, 2025, there are no credible reports of Cheney’s passing. Representatives for Cheney did not respond to requests for comment. The false narrative underscores the challenges of misinformation on social media platforms, particularly when parody accounts are mistaken for legitimate sources.

The incident highlights the ongoing influence of Russian state media and the potential for parody accounts to mislead audiences. RT has faced scrutiny for its role in spreading disinformation, particularly regarding U.S. political issues and the war in Ukraine. The Justice Department’s actions against RT reflect broader concerns about foreign interference in American democracy.

This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team, which works to verify and debunk false claims circulating online. The team emphasizes the importance of scrutinizing sources and verifying information before sharing it.