Donald Trump Welcoming Jamaica As A U.S. Territory Is Fake News

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Reports that President Donald Trump is acquiring Jamaica as a United States territory are false. The hoax has been circulating the internet for months and stemmed from a disreputable news website.

According to PolitiFact, part of the fake claim was originally published in February 2017 by USA News and Mediamaxzone and was recently republished by other disreputable news websites. The article, posted by USA Television, claimed that Trump was welcoming Jamaica as a U.S. territory, a move that would make their relationship “so much stronger.” It purported:

United States President Donald Trump has welcomed Jamaica as the country becomes the latest overseas territory of the United States.

[…] As a territory of the United States, Jamaica would become a sub-national administrative division directly overseen by the United States federal government.

Despite being overseen by the United States, Jamaica would have an organized government through an Organic Act passed by the U.S. Congress.

The claims in the article are false. Despite the websites lacking disclaimers, Trump is not welcoming Jamaica as a U.S. territory and Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness never hinted that it was an option on the table. There is actually an Organic Act, however, it has nothing to do with acquiring territory. Additionally, Trump did visit Jamaica in April, but there was no discussion about the U.S. acquiring the country, which has been independent since 1962.

There are currently 16 U.S. territories, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Samoa and Puerto Rico.

Here are some examples of people talking about the rumor on social media:

Social Media Shares False Rumor about Jamaica Becoming U.S. Territory

Jamaica to become US territory I have mixed feelings bout that✋

— Smack Level (@HoodBallad) February 13, 2017

what is this tomfoolery i"m hearing about Jamaica becoming a US territory?

— Baēkage. (@VivaaLaKiaa) February 15, 2017

Plans for Jamaica to become US territory? Lol please tell me this is #FakeNews

— patience. (@PayyLove) February 16, 2017

Jamaica to become a US territory???

— Andrei-Kiesh (@Saint_Jai) February 17, 2017

Jamaica to become a US Territory? I don"t think so.

— Mr.Big Beard (@P_O_W_) June 5, 2017

Did you see the fake story about Donald Trump welcoming Jamaica as a U.S. territory circulating social media? Do you know anyone who was tricked by the rumor? Sound off in the comments section below!

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore, Flickr

Source: B2C