The Instagram post claiming to show Donald Trump’s ‘security team’ escorting Air Force One has been rated as False. The video, featuring fighter jets flying near a plane resembling Air Force One, actually originates from a video game and predates Trump’s presidency by over a year. The social media user who initially shared the clip confirmed that it was from a combat flight simulation game, not a real-life security escort. The footage was previously posted on Instagram and YouTube in 2023, with captions clearly stating its simulated nature.

This misinformation spread widely on social media, garnering thousands of likes within days. Fact-checking efforts by outlets such as USA TODAY and Check Your Fact have debunked the claim. This incident underscores the importance of verifying sources and content before sharing online, as false narratives can easily gain traction.

The fact-check also highlights previous instances where video game footage was wrongly portrayed as real events, such as in coverage of conflicts like the Israel-Hamas and Russia-Ukraine wars. The need for media literacy and critical thinking in the digital age is evident, as misinformation continues to proliferate on various platforms.