No, former President Jimmy Carter's death was not announced Tuesday, he did not call his wife Rosalynn "the original brat," nor did he compare her to former First Lady Nancy Reagan.
These are just a few odd comments in a fake press release that taught far-right Republicans that reading is fundamental.
Sen. Mike Lee and Trump activist Laura Loomer were among those caught Tuesday sharing the fake news of Carter's death, then promptly deleting their tweets, Business Insider reporter Bryan Metzger was among the first to report.
"Lee (R-UT) appears to have been duped by a fake letter announcing Jimmy Carter’s death," Metzger reported along with screenshots from the Republican lawmaker's feed.
Loomer, who calls herself a journalist, admitted to her mistake.
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"It appears that the letter saying Jimmy Carter has passed away is fabricated. Gross," Loomer wrote. "Why would someone fabricate a letter saying a President died?"
Coincidentally, Lee himself suggested earlier Tuesday that President Joe Biden had secretly died.
"Biden’s team could end the 'Dave' speculation right now," Lee wrote, referencing a comedy about a lookalike who stands in for the president.
"All they’d have to do is send a proof-of-life video showing Biden eating ice cream while holding a copy of today’s newspaper. So why haven’t they done that?"
Summarized X user Juug Knight, "Y’all fake killed Jimmy Carter and Joe Biden in 12 hours"
The hoax letter Lee shared with his constituents includes several hints that it is not legitimate.
Among them, a quote from Carter's son Chip who says he'll be missed by "enemies around the world who thrive today because of his peace-through-weakness agenda."
The Carter Center has confirmed Carter, 99, is "still alive."
This revelation that the Republicans had been duped spurred much hilarity.
"This woman is dumb as hell," X user Jarvis said of Loomer. "Hahahahahahaha."
"If someone makes the argument that Twitter is a more reliable source of news than mainstream media, you can point that person to the hundreds of blue-check patriots who got duped by a fake letter announcing Jimmy Carter's death," added Steve Faguy.
Quipped X user J Arizona, "Mike Lee may not be fit to serve."
