FACT CHECK: No, E! News Did Not Report USAID Paid Celebrities Millions To Visit Ukraine

Elias Atienza | Senior Reporter

A post shared on X claims E! News reported that United States Agency Aid and Development (USAID) paid millions for celebrities to visit Ukraine.

Verdict: False

There is no evidence for this claim. It appears this claim originates from a Russian influence operation.

Fact Check:

Social media users are claiming that E! News reported that the United States Agency Aid and Development (USAID) paid millions for celebrities to visit Ukraine.

“USAID was using our tax dollars to send celebrities to UKRAINE to increase Zelensky’s popularity around the world and, in particular, the U.S.,” one user’s post partially reads.

There is no evidence for this claim. E! News does not have this alleged reporting on its website. No media outlets have referenced this alleged reporting nor have reported on this allegation that USAID paid celebrities to visit Ukraine.

Olga Robinson, a BBC Verify assistant editor, debunked the claim in a Feb. 5 tweet. (RELATED: Did Trump Sign An Executive Order Stopping All New Funds To The UNRWA?)

“This viral video claiming USAID has paid celebrities to visit Ukraine is nowhere to be found on E!News. And it is extremely similar in style to a Russian influence operation we’ve investigated that impersonates media outlets and often pushes anti-Ukraine narratives…” reads Robinson’s tweet.

An E! News spokesperson told AFP Fact Check that the alleged reporting “is not authentic and did not originate from E! News.”

Elias Atienza

Senior Reporter
Follow Elias on Twitter Have a fact check suggestion? Send ideas to [email protected].

Trending

FACT CHECK: Is Putin Demanding Dr. Fauci Be Extradited To Russia For 'Crimes Against Humanity?'
FACT CHECK: No, Elon Musk Did Not Say People Who Protest Trump Will Be Suspended On X