An satirical Onion article that said George Zimmerman won the lottery went viral on Twitter, with many believing the former neighborhood watch volunteer actually won $37 million.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix , the safety for Alabama, was even fooled by the Onion article. “This is crazy George Zimmerman just hit the lotto for 37 million,” he wrote, seemingly unaware that it was a satirical report.
“The story about Zimmerman winning 37 million,” wrote another user before linking to the Onion story, apparently believing it was true. The user has more than 87,000 Twitter followers.
“Sickened by statment ‘This is just fantastic Life is good.’ George Zimmerman Wins Florida State Lottery,” wrote another, quoting a line written by the Onion.
As The Epoch Times previously reported, even some media--Examiner.com and the Tampa Star--were fooled, posting an article questioning the validity of the report. The Examiner article was taken down on Tuesday.
“Wow! Twice in the same week?!?! Unbelievable. BREAKING: George Zimmerman Wins Florida State Lottery,” another Twitter user said.
Some Twitter users were quick to point out others’ mistake in believing the Onion article.
“George Zimmerman DID NOT win the lottery , Chic Fil A DOESN'T deliver & the Cicadas are NOT coming out , stop believing everything dummies,” wrote one user.
Another user was more harsh: “If you read the article on THE ONION about George Zimmerman winning the lottery and believed it, you’re literally too stupid to function.”
On the Onion’s Facebook page, a number of people were also fooled, posting messages about how they disagree with awarding Zimmerman lottery money. And again, others had to correct them.
The Onion--founded in 1988 and has been described as the preeminent U.S. satire news organization--has fooled a number of people in the past, as evidenced by Facebook postings, including state-run media entities in other countries.
China’s communist mouthpiece, the People’s Daily, reported on a story from the Onion, saying North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un was the “sexiest man alive.”
And Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported on an Onion story saying most Americans, if given the choice, would vote for Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over President Obama. The agency later issued an apology.
