April Fools’ Day: Five Prank News Headlines That Goofed Up The Internet Today
Happy April Fools’ Day everyone!
Well, the first day of April is not the best day for everyone, especially not for those of us who become the victims of annoying and, in a few cases, threatening online pranks. Ever since its inception, the web has been a hotbed for pranks, hoaxes, and fake news items, but on April Fools’ Day, treading the internet backwaters becomes a truly challenging affair. Ask people whose work has to with digital news media, and they will probably tell you it is not a day they particularly look forward to in their professional lives.
Like every year, even this April Fools’ Day the internet has been rife with pranks. While some of them had the desired effect — helping you laugh — some others have missed the mark in more serious ways. Just ask the people who got fired because of this stupid Google prank, which became more successful in doling out headaches to its users than actually helping them laugh.
Even so, pranksters continue looking for new ways to fool us, and prank news headlines abound in plenty on April Fools’ Day. So here is a list of five of the best fake news items that are doing the rounds on the internet today. If you come across them, just don’t believe they are real!
Fake: Clinton to use WayUp to find a college student to be her VP running mate
This fake news item, purporting to be from CNN, says that Hillary Clinton has decided to use an app to find her VP running mate. The ideal candidate, according to the prank, must be an “ambitious, hungry government major who has a strong understanding of meme culture, is a Snapchat expert, and thinks that Bernie is all talk and no show. Being a YouTube celebrity is ideal, but not required.”
Fake: Trump Says, “I will take office if I win the popular vote, even if I lose electoral college”
This fake news item, claiming to be from the Associated Press, quotes Donald Trump saying that he will take office at the White House even if the Congress declares someone else the winner.
“I’ve said before that I’m willing to abide by the rules for choosing the president if they are fair. But the idea that I could get more votes than Hillary Clinton and still lose the presidency is ridiculous. I’ll only play fair if the Congress plays fair in choosing a president.”
Stating further that the Republican front-runner made the speech at a rally Wednesday in Waukesha, Wisconsin, the prank article points out that Trump has earmarked his campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, who was actually charged with simple battery last week, as the main man to seize power at the White House.
FAKE: VCU announces new tattoo requirement for current and prospective students
This news item, published on Virginia Commonwealth University’s official news page, says that the university has passed a law that would require every student to have a tattoo.
“Virginia Commonwealth University announced today that, effective immediately, tattoos will be required for admission, making it the first university in the nation to implement such a requirement. University officials also announced that tattoos will be a graduation requirement for all current students.”
Of course, there is a disclaimer at the end of the article, reminding readers of what day it is.
Fake: Olivia Coleman has been cast to play the first female James Bond
Probably the funniest of the lot, this piece of fake news, which has been shared almost 6,000 times, was published on the Daily Mail website. The article states that 42-year-old Olivia Coleman has been cast to replace Daniel Craig in the next Bond film, which is tentatively titled Bond 25.
Even containing pictures of her in a suit and holding a pistol, the article was widely shared by unassuming folks who did not realize that the news media outlet was only having fun at their expense. A disclaimer at the end of the article states the obvious.
“Sadly, despite Olivia Coleman’s stellar turn in The Night Manager, she is not set to be the next James Bond, it was just an April Fools’ Day joke!”
Fake: The U.S. Army has discovered how to teleport people
This article, published on the U.S. Army’s official page, states that the U.S. Army has discovered how to teleport people.
“Army scientists have successfully “teleported” a fully equipped squad from a Massachusetts research and development facility to a training area in Germany, the Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSSC) announced today.”
The U.S. Army’s Twitter page even sent out a tweet confirming the same.
#BREAKING: #USArmy @NatickSSC scientists successfully 'teleport' Soldiers https://t.co/4P8ZJsNg32 pic.twitter.com/Z4UUj3yWzX
— U.S. Army (@USArmy) April 1, 2016
So these were some of best April Fools’ Day news headlines doing the rounds on the internet today. Which one was your favorite?
[Image via Shutterstock]
