A photo shared on Facebook allegedly shows an article from USA Today alleging that Elon Musk’s Neuralink implants have killed over 3,000 monkeys.

Verdict: False

This photo is digitally altered. A spokesperson for USA Today confirmed that the article is fake in an email to Check Your Fact.

Fact Check:

Musk announced that within six months he intends to begin human trials for Neuralink, his new implant technology that connects a brain to a computer, The Washington Post reported. He tested the implants on monkeys, many of which had fallen ill or had to be euthanized, Daily Dot reported.

The Facebook post allegedly shows an article from USA Today reporting that 3,000 of these monkeys were killed since last year. The alleged article is attributed to Bailey Schulz on Nov. 30.

“Elon Musk’s Neuralink implants have killed nearly 3000 monkeys since last December, 98% fatality rate,” the alleged article reads.

This screenshot is digitally altered, however. The alleged article cannot be found on USA Today’s website or any of its verified social media accounts. (RELATED: Did Elon Musk Say Journalists With ‘They/Them’ Pronouns Will Pay More For Twitter Verification?)

“We can confirm that the screenshot you provided is fake,” a spokesperson for USA Today confirmed in an email to Check Your Fact. “The original article, written by Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY Money Reporter, was titled, “‘Elon Musk’s Neuralink to host a ‘show and tell.’ What we know about the brain implant startup.'”

The same day, Musk tweeted a link to the live stream Schulz mentioned. The recorded live stream covered implant testing, implantation needle design and an almost one hour Q&A.

Exciting Neuralink update in 30 mins! https://t.co/5NYAyjP8mh

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 1, 2022

The spokesperson directed Check Your Fact to Schulz’s profile, which does not show the alleged article, but shows two recent articles related to Musk’s Neuralink.

This is not the first time misinformation about a public figure spread online. Check Your Fact recently debunked a claim Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock held a church service featuring women wearing sexually explicit outfits.