Back in November, the spoof news website Real News Right Now published an article entitled “Saudi Billionaire Begins Construction of ‘Western Mecca’ in Wyoming.” Of course the story was entirely fake, like everything else on the website, but not everyone has realized that.
This week, concerned Twitter users began sharing the article and expressing their outrage that such a project was being allowed to go ahead. Perhaps if they had read some of the other articles on the website, they may have caught on to the fact that it is not exactly reporting facts.
Examples such as “Lockheed Martin Unveils Civilian-Legal F-35 Joint Strike Fighter” and “Nickelback to Open for ISIS on First Leg of 2016 'Coming to America' Tour” should serve as confirmation that Real News Right Now is meant as a joke, not a reliable news source.
But despite this, people believed the article and are now freaking out on Twitter. Some are particularly concerned that “only Muslims are permitted access to the ‘Mecca of the West’” and that “non-Muslim patrons will have the option to view the holy shrine using high-end telescopes installed at way-points around the perimeter.”
This is not the first time Real News Right Now has been believed, with Fox News host Sean Hannity apparently falling for an article back in October which stated that Obama would bring 250,000 Syrian refugees to the US.
Take a look at some reactions below, via Twitter.
So this is why the ranchers are having trouble out west https://t.co/TIxeZ4K6Yr
— georgina alexiou (@Pantheriaa) January 25, 2016The BinLaden Group!!!! whos bright idea was this!!! https://t.co/sgFOIka4Fq
— Raven ~TrumpSupport (@RockStockRaven) January 26, 2016Why is Wyoming allowing the building of THE NEW WESTERN MECCA by Saudi billionaire? @realDonaldTrump @DanScavino https://t.co/F1CqWNBHAu
— Sebastian J Russo (@SebastianJRusso) January 25, 2016They are taking over America! Ob@mas plan! https://t.co/aCKExqA3Y1
— David Zuckerman (@davidzuck) January 25, 2016SAUDI billionaire begins construction of LITTLE MECCA in WYOMING! CALL DC & PROTEST THIS INVASION! https://t.co/CC186YQ8SI @JONLEY_GRIN
— AM (@ArRuple) January 25, 2016
