post shared on Facebook Former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were at home when their personal chef, Tafari Campbell, allegedly drowned in a pond.
The allegation stems from a July 25 article published by The Gateway Pundit, a website known for spreading misinformation, according to the Associated Press. Massachusetts police released a statement indicating that the Obamas were not home when Campbell drowned.
Campbell reportedly drowned near the Obamas’ Martha’s Vineyard home on Sunday. Associated Press. Police said Campbell was missing after she went paddleboarding earlier in the evening, and that she did not resurface after falling into the water. CNN report.
“That changes the story… Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s personal chef mysteriously drowned while they were at Martha’s Vineyard,” the Facebook post claims. This post does not provide any sources to support that claim.
However, this claim is false. A keyword search reveals that the claim stems from: July 25 article It was published on the website “The Gateway Pundit”. According to the report, an unidentified person called 911 late Sunday night from the Obamas’ residence.Quoted from the same outlet daily mail article The Obamas initially said they weren’t home, but later claimed they were at Martha’s Vineyard, explaining that they were simply not at home when Campbell drowned.
The site is known to spread misinformation, including claims of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election, according to the site. Associated Press.
Similarly, Massachusetts State Police said the Obamas were not at home. statement They announced the accident.
“The paddleboarder recovered today on the Edgartown Great Road has been identified as Tafari Campbell, 45 (not 43/44 as originally reported) of Dumfries, Virginia. Campbell is former President Obama. and was visiting Martha’s Vineyard at the time of his death.President and Mrs. Obama were not at the residence at the time of the accident,” the statement said.
Moreover, both fox news and the boston globe The Obamas were not at the mansion when Campbell drowned. (Related: Did Joe Biden and Barack Obama wear pink suits to promote Barbie movies?)
The former president and first lady reacted to Campbell’s death in a statement Monday night, calling Campbell “the one who made our lives a little brighter,” according to The Boston Globe.
“As we prepared to leave the White House, I asked Mr. Tafari to stay with me and he readily agreed. He has been a part of our lives ever since. Yes, our hearts are broken without him,” part of the statement said.
Check Your Fact has reached out to the Obama Foundation and the Massachusetts State Police for comment and will update this article accordingly.
