“José Manuel Barroso dead 2024” : European Commission president killed by internet death hoax

  • By Jessica Simpson
  • Lisbon
  • Last updated on

José Manuel Barroso is the latest celeb to fall victim to a death hoax

News of politician José Manuel Barroso’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the December 2024 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the European Commission president is alive and well.

UPDATE 23/12/2024 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

José Manuel Barroso death hoax spreads on Facebook

Rumors of the politician’s alleged demise gained traction on Saturday after a ‘R.I.P. José Manuel Barroso’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the Portuguese politician’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Saturday (December 21, 2024), our beloved politician José Manuel Barroso passed away. José Manuel Barroso was born on March 23, 1956 in Lisbon. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”

Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 68-year-old politician was dead. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax.

Where as some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately skeptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities over recent months. Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major Portuguese network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of a politician of José Manuel Barroso's stature would be major news across networks.

A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that a large majority (67%) of respondents think those José Manuel Barroso death rumors are not funny anymore.

José Manuel Barroso Death Hoax Dismissed Since Politician Is ‘Alive And Well’

On Sunday (December 22) the politician's reps officially confirmed that José Manuel Barroso is not dead. “He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet,” they said.

Some fans have expressed anger at the fake report saying it was reckless, distressing and hurtful to fans of the much loved politician. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.

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