FACT CHECK: Did Coca-Cola Post This Meme Mentioning ‘Fatphobia’ And ‘Death Squads’?
An image shared on Instagram purportedly shows a meme posted by Coca-Cola that mentions “company funded death squads” and “fatphobia.”
Verdict: False
The brand did not post the meme in question.
Fact Check:
Coca-Cola’s Instagram account had roughly 2.7 million followers at press time. The image in the Oct. 6 Instagram post displays what appears to be a post by that account with the caption, “To everyone caring for themselves, we see you and applaud your strength. Link in bio.”
The purported Coca-Cola post, shown as having garnered over 10,600 likes, features an image showing the “Yes Chad” and “Crying Wojak” memes. “Crying Wojak” is pictured saying, “NOOOOOOOO you can’t drink coke its full of corn syrup and the company funded death squads.” (RELATED: Is Georgia Removing All Coca-Cola Products From All State-Owned Buildings?)
“YES, I CAN,” “Yes Chad” responds. “Ignoring your fatphobia and treating myself is self-care #ICanHaveACan.”
Some Columbian-owned companies bottling Coca-Cola beverages faced accusations of contracting operatives from the paramilitary organization United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia between 1990 and 2003 to kill union leaders, The Guardian reported. The image’s mention of “company funded death squads” may refer to claims of that kind, but it was not shared by Coca-Cola.
None of the company’s real posts on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter feature the term “death squads” or the image showing the “Yes Chad” and “Crying Wojak” memes. Check Your Fact could not find a single credible news report online of Coca-Cola ever using the phrase on social media, and it does not appear in any press releases issued by the corporation. The Oct. 6 Instagram post’s image is displayed on the meme website iFunny.
Coca-Cola did publish a July 28 post on Instagram with the caption addressed “to everyone caring for themselves,” which has received over 10,700 likes. However, the real post’s images only contained its logo and text stating, “Self-love is selfless. Especially when the world is watching. Cheers to caring for yourself first.”
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