Staff Reports
Did you hear about the flooding in Southern California? Well, hold onto your life jackets, because it turns out it’s all just a big fib! In a stunning display of fake news, Facebook users were duped by a video claiming to show recent flooding in the Golden State. But fear not, dear conservatives, because our trusty fact checkers have uncovered the truth.
You see, this video that was making the rounds on Facebook actually showed an attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood! Yes, you heard that right. Some sneaky trickster decided to pass off a theme park ride as an actual disaster, just for kicks. Talk about a misleading post!
The video, originally shared on YouTube in 2023, features flood waters rushing down what appears to be a tiny street. But don’t get swept away by the dramatic footage, because it’s all a setup. The caption even gave it away, labeling it as the “Universal Studios WATER FLOOD.” It’s like they didn’t even try to hide their deception!
Now, let’s take a moment to appreciate the irony here. Universal Studios is known for its blockbuster movies, but little did we know they were also in the business of blockbuster floods! This attraction, called the Flash Flood Studio Tour, was apparently introduced way back in 1970. So, I guess we can say that fake news has been around longer than we thought.
But here’s the kicker: while Facebook users were panicking over imaginary floods, real rain was causing some serious damage in California. Mudslides and over 10 inches of rain were wreaking havoc in Los Angeles. Yet, instead of focusing on the actual news, people were sharing a video of a manufactured disaster. It’s like watching a movie about a fire while your house is burning down. Talk about misplaced priorities!
Once again, we have to be vigilant and question everything we see online. Fake news can be as tricky as a carnival magician, luring us in with a spectacle and leaving us feeling foolish. So, next time you see a video claiming to show a disaster, take a step back, put on your skeptical thinking cap, and ask yourself, “Is this Universal Studios or just universal tomfoolery?”
