A post shared on Threads claims talk show host Oprah Winfrey is being “escorted around” by U.S. Marshals over alleged sex trafficking.

 

Post by @authorjamescwilliams

View on Threads

 

Verdict: False

PolitiFact reported the claim was false on Sept. 25. A spokesperson for the U.S. Marshals Service told the outlet the claim was false. In addition, a spokesperson for the U.S. Marshals Service denied the claim’s validity in an email to Check Your Fact.

Fact Check:

Former President Donald Trump said, “this isn’t the real Oprah,” following Winfrey’s recent interview with 2024 Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, according to Newsweek. Trump made the comments on his TRUTH Social account, the outlet reported.

The Threads post claims Winfrey is being “escorted around” by U.S. Marshals over alleged sex trafficking.

“Oprah is a sex trafficker. She’s been caught and has to now be escorted around by the U.S. Marshall’s. [sic] She’s a billionaire with a powerful name. So, she’s too good for prison. She’s above the law,” the post, which does not provide a source to support its claim, reads.

The claim is false. The claim is neither referenced on the U.S. Marshals Service’s website nor its verified social media accounts. Likewise, Winfrey does not appear to have publicly commented on the claim via her website or her verified social media accounts. (RELATED: Will Candace Owens And Tucker Carlson Replace Jimmy Kimmel?)

In addition, Check Your Fact found no credible news reports to support the claim. Actually, the opposite is true. On Sept. 25, PolitiFact reported the claim was false. The outlet also indicated a spokesperson for the U.S. Marshals Service said the claim is false.

This is not the first time Winfrey has falsely been accused of sex trafficking. In March 2020, rumors circulated online that Winfrey and other celebrities had allegedly been arrested for sex trafficking, according to CNN.

Winfrey responded to the claim, saying it was “not true,” the outlet reported.

“Just got a phone call that my name is trending. And being trolled for some awful FAKE thing. It’s NOT TRUE. Haven’t been raided, or arrested,” her statement read in part.

Just got a phone call that my name is trending. And being trolled for some awful FAKE thing. It’s NOT TRUE. Haven’t been raided, or arrested. Just sanitizing and self distancing with the rest of the world. Stay safe everybody.🙏🏾

— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) March 18, 2020

A spokesperson for the U.S. Marshals Service denied the claim’s validity in an email to Check Your Fact.

“We can confirm that Ms. Winfrey does not have a USMS protective detail,” the same spokesperson said.