Exhibit C
Buffett vs. Fake Praise: Social Media Misinformation Hits Wall Street
Posted on: April 6, 2025
Former President Donald Trump has shared a video on Truth Social that not only claims the stock market is crashing by design, but also falsely attributes praise to Warren Buffett. According to the CNBC article released April 4, 2025, the video describes a supposed 20% market crash as a deliberate tactic to lower interest and mortgage rates — a move the video labels as genius.
The post, which originated from a fringe pro-Trump X account, was a recycled TikTok video riddled with falsehoods and baseless economic logic. The narrator falsely quotes Warren Buffett praising Trump’s handling of the economy — a claim that Buffett’s team quickly shut down.
For those of us in the fraud prevention and economic integrity community, this case is another glaring example of how fabricated endorsements can manipulate public opinion and investor behavior. What might seem like political noise can quickly become a misinformation weapon when it falsely attributes economic confidence to respected financial figures.
CNBC journalist Becky Quick confirmed directly with Buffett that he made no such statements and wanted to put a stop to the viral misinformation. Buffett, known for his cautious and long-term investing approach, has publicly criticized tariffs and unpredictable economic strategies throughout Trump’s presidency.
Buffett’s long-standing warnings about reckless tariff wars and their global ripple effects stand in sharp contrast to the narrative pushed in the viral video. His track record of pulling capital back into reserves further emphasizes his distrust in unstable policy environments.
As misinformation campaigns increasingly impersonate authority to prop up crumbling credibility, it’s our job to call it out — not just for the truth’s sake, but to maintain economic integrity. Fraud isn't just in forged checks or fake returns — it's in the headlines too.
