On September 22, 2026, social media platforms were flooded with an image purportedly showing President Joseph Nyumah Boakai of Liberia falling at the United Nations headquarters. The image quickly garnered widespread attention, sparking concern and debate among users. However, a thorough examination using fact-checking and verification tools has revealed that the image is, in fact, doctored. According to The Stage Media Liberia, the image was widely shared on Facebook, attracting numerous reactions, shares, and comments.
The original elements used in the doctored image have been identified. The foreground portion showing a man falling backward near an escalator is not from the United Nations. Instead, it depicts Georgia State Senator Colton Moore (R-Trenton) falling to the ground during a scuffle at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on January 16, 2025. Senator Moore was attempting to defy a ban and enter the House chamber for Governor Brian Kemp's State of the State address when the confrontation occurred. He was later arrested and charged with misdemeanor obstruction.
The image was manipulated by digitally replacing Senator Moore's head with that of Liberian President Joseph Boakai. Additionally, the official seal of the Presidency of the Republic of Liberia was added to the bottom right corner to mimic an official government release. This alteration was aimed at making the image appear authentic and official. The image of Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti was also doctored, with her attire in the circulating image not matching outfits shown in photos released by the Executive Mansion from her engagements during the President's current US trip.
A closer examination of the doctored image revealed inconsistencies in the rendering of Foreign Minister Beysolow Nyanti. In the manipulated image, her blouse has double pink curves on both shoulders, whereas official images show pink lace only on the sleeves. These discrepancies indicate that the image was intentionally altered to deceive viewers. The use of image forensics software and Google reverse image search helped verify the authenticity of the claims.
The Stage Media Liberia's investigation concluded that the image of President Boakai falling at the United Nations is fake. The image splices a January 2025 photo of an unrelated incident involving a Georgia state senator with a digitally altered head, a fabricated presidential seal, and an inconsistently rendered image of Foreign Minister Beysolow Nyanti. This incident highlights the potential for misinformation and the importance of verifying information through credible sources.
The fact-checking process involved using various tools, including an image magnifier and image forensics software. These tools enabled the verification team to identify the manipulated elements of the image and confirm its inauthenticity. By debunking this fake image, The Stage Media Liberia aims to promote accuracy and trust in information dissemination.
In conclusion, the viral image showing President Boakai falling at the UNGA has been confirmed as fake. The Stage Media Liberia's thorough investigation and use of verification tools have exposed the manipulated image, emphasizing the need for caution and critical evaluation of information shared on social media platforms. Key points from the investigation include:
Key points
- The image was doctored by replacing Georgia State Senator Colton Moore's head with President Boakai's.
- The official seal of the Presidency of the Republic of Liberia was added to the image.
- Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti's image was also manipulated, showing discrepancies in her attire.
