Last week, following the riot and storming of the U.S. Capitol, pictures emerged showing insurrectionists posing with a man they claimed to be martial arts actor Chuck Norris.
Others saw their posts and soon "Chuck Norris" was trending.
Saw this on my Facebook today. Chuck Norris was in DC proudly supporting Maga and Trump https://t.co/KN40VrR7FJ— scout (@scout) 1609973207.0
Since Chuck Norris is trending, friendly reminder that Bruce Lee is still, and will always be, superior. https://t.co/qJRRulnsne— Chilly Cephalopod 🐙🧣❄️ (@Chilly Cephalopod 🐙🧣❄️) 1610462159.0
Well, I think Conan the Barbarian (or the Terminator)—in his prime—could’ve beat Walker Texas Ranger in his prime.… https://t.co/qvid4tfO5G— Joe Hunt (@Joe Hunt) 1610460933.0
Instead of Chuck Norris trending, why isn't Eugene Goodman trending? Let's recognize the real heroes.… https://t.co/tNsvQMHBsc— Atanae (@Atanae) 1610462652.0
Many online spoke out against Norris after hearing he had allegedly been a part of the violent mob that vandalized and looted the Capitol.
I have no doubt Chuck Norris is MAGA but this guy isn't him. Very good lookalike but too young. https://t.co/kD8bXNRzlW— Danielle Huss (@Danielle Huss) 1610455256.0
But before long, many were expressing uncertainty that the man in the pictures was actually Norris.
I don't think that's Chuck Norris. It doesn't look like any recent photo. We'll see. But that's my first take.— Don Winslow (@Don Winslow) 1610440924.0
@scoutejwampler Is it really him? He’s 80 years old now. According to internet the has green eyes, that dude’s in t… https://t.co/i0LLMGvNzc— bex Machina 🌊 (@bex Machina 🌊) 1610444075.0
Doesn't every 3rd dude at a MAGA rally look like Chuck Norris? And not young fit MIA fighting Bruce Lee Chuck Norri… https://t.co/sYcqj2TwSE— Jeremy Newberger (@Jeremy Newberger) 1610456343.0
@NunesDrag @chucknorris Facial Recognition puts it at 85%, which is a computers way of saying, yeah it kind of look… https://t.co/fdAa6adRgM— Scott P. (@Scott P.) 1610446375.0
Sure enough, Erik Kritzer, the 80-year-old actor's spokesperson, gave a statement to People Magazine, saying:
"This is not Chuck Norris and is a wannabe look-alike although Chuck is much more handsome. Chuck remains on his range in Texas where he has been with his family."
Kid: Mum can I have Chuck Norris Mum: We already have Chuck Norris at home Chuck Norris at home: https://t.co/pjnFdqF9z7— Nash J (@Nash J) 1610448464.0
It turns out the man in the picture is just a Trump supporter who happens to look like Chuck Norris.
Turns out it's not him, but if it was I would be calling the FBI https://t.co/WHtBmbOesl— scout (@scout) 1610478647.0
Of course, many Twitter users couldn't resist the desire to make a Chuck Norris joke.
Sounds like we needed Chuck Norris to single-handedly defend the Capitol last week! https://t.co/vfmIT6nG7Y— Jon Donahue (@Jon Donahue) 1610507419.0
@AgedContext @PoorlyAgedStuff That makes sense, because if Chuck Norris stormed the Capitol, the Capitol would’ve been arrested— TheViewFromMyRock (@TheViewFromMyRock) 1610470012.0
Though Norris wasn't at the rally, the actor is a longtime Republican who endorsed President Trump in 2016, although he refrained from doing the same in 2020.
@PoorlyAgedStuff Chuck Norris is an actor who most people on here probably know from memes. He's been trash for a w… https://t.co/4DAuzwOrXo— Context for Poorly Aged Things (@Context for Poorly Aged Things) 1610469559.0
The fact that Chuck Norris has to give his alibi publicly because there was a look alike at the Capitol is funny enough.— Meghan O'Malley (@Meghan O'Malley) 1610478281.0
A thread of action men better than Chuck Norris: Michael Jai White https://t.co/FNVw8HxiZw— Vanessa Guerrero (@Vanessa Guerrero) 1610484698.0
When action fans saw Chuck Norris trending, many decided to recommend other action stars with a more progressive political history.
Tak Sakaguchi https://t.co/IlQAxnhvza— Vanessa Guerrero (@Vanessa Guerrero) 1610484841.0
I saw Chuck Norris was trending and thought I’d share this. https://t.co/alMnmyZD0T— Katsuki Bakugo (@Katsuki Bakugo) 1610472293.0
Christopher Lee hunted Nazis in WW2, taught Peter Jackson what it sounds like when a man is stabbed, and at 88, he… https://t.co/jITo6TOLWB— Grant Little (@Grant Little) 1610462417.0
In the age of the internet, one can never be too careful when it comes to fact-checking what we see on social media.