Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

FactCheck: Did Justin Trudeau's eyebrow fall off during a press conference?

Footage online appears to show the Canadian Prime Minister’s eyebrow falling off at a live press conference.

fc

THE G7 SUMMIT ended with US President Donald Trump renewing the threat of global trade war as he abruptly rejected the text of a consensus statement and branded as “false” statements made by the summit’s Canadian host Justin Trudeau.

“Based on Justin’s false statements at his news conference, and the fact that Canada is charging massive Tariffs to our US farmers, workers and companies, I have instructed our US Reps not to endorse the Communique as we look at Tariffs on automobiles flooding the US Market!” Trump tweeted.

“PM Justin Trudeau of Canada acted so meek and mild during our @G7 meetings only to give a news conference after I left saying that… he ‘will not be pushed around.’ Very dishonest & weak,” continued the US president.

But the possibility of a trade war has been ‘overshadowed’ by an unusual theory circulating about Trudeau’s eyebrows, specifically that one of them came off during a live press conference.

As the claim is picking up steam, we will examine whether it is true.

The claim

Footage of Trudeau’s press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron on 7 June appears to show Trudeau’s eyebrow falling off.

Toe Knee / YouTube

Once the footage was shared online, a number of news sites began to pick up the story, such as WorldNetDaily, TheDailyWire and TheDailyCaller.

Russia’s state-backed broadcaster RT ran a poll with the majority voting that it was a fake eyebrow.

trudeau RT RT

This tweet is one of many making the assertion, but is the most widely retweeted, having over 7,400 today.

The facts 

So let’s look at another video clip – a clearer one – from the same press conference. In it, you can see that Trudeau’s eyebrow looks normal and that there is a slight shadow cast on his left brow from poor lighting on the set. It becomes more noticeable when Trudeau looks down but then disappears when he address the audience straight on.

PastedImage-61922 @iD4RO / Twitter @iD4RO / Twitter / Twitter

Click here to watch the video.

Let’s also take a look at official press photographs taken at the conference.

Here are shots of Trudeau speaking in front of French President Emmanuel Macron at the press conference, with the controversial left eyebrow in full view of the photographer’s lens:

THE CANADIAN PRESS 2018-06-07 The Canadian Press / PA Images The Canadian Press / PA Images / PA Images

Yup, still there:

THE CANADIAN PRESS 2018-06-07 The Canadian Press / PA Images The Canadian Press / PA Images / PA Images

And let’s get that straight on, just to be sure:

THE CANADIAN PRESS 2018-06-07 The Canadian Press / PA Images The Canadian Press / PA Images / PA Images

Moreover, as this Twitter user highlights, Trudeau’s natural eyebrow configuration is part of the optical illusion:

Conclusion

There is no evidence that Trudeau’s eyebrow fell off at a press conference or that he wears fake ones. A number of video and photographic sources contemporaneous with the event show that his left eyebrow remains fully intact throughout.

We rate this claim as FALSE.

TheJournal.ie’s FactCheck is a signatory to the International Fact-Checking Network’s Code of Principles. You can read it here. For information on how FactCheck works, what the verdicts mean, and how you can take part, check out our Reader’s Guide here. You can read about the team of editors and reporters who work on the factchecks here

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
It is vital that we surface facts from noise. Articles like this one brings you clarity, transparency and balance so you can make well-informed decisions. We set up FactCheck in 2016 to proactively expose false or misleading information, but to continue to deliver on this mission we need your support. Over 5,000 readers like you support us. If you can, please consider setting up a monthly payment or making a once-off donation to keep news free to everyone.

Close
66 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute john doe
    Favourite john doe
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 10:59 AM

    I have never watched an episode of love island.
    I imagine I am a happier person for it.

    1085
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Don
    Favourite Don
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 11:33 AM

    @john doe: each to their own. That’s life

    100
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bennett blaster
    Favourite Bennett blaster
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 1:52 PM

    @john doe: Happier and more intelligent for not watching it.

    196
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Virgil
    Favourite Virgil
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 8:14 PM

    @john doe: you should watch one. Jaw dropping stuff

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keith Manning
    Favourite Keith Manning
    Report
    Aug 8th 2021, 6:44 AM

    @Bennett blaster: Yet, like myself, you probably watch absolute nonsense on YouTube. I can never laugh at what people are interested in on tv as I am no better. So if you watch and enjoy love island, don’t be ashamed. Its not like the rest of us are deep in the works of Joyce or Tolstoy.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joecantdance
    Favourite Joecantdance
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 11:12 AM

    I don’t get Love Island or this countries sad obsession with it

    464
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Redington
    Favourite Martin Redington
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 11:25 AM

    @Joecantdance: I hear what your saying….but…faye is out line talking to Teddy like that last night, he didn’t even do anything wrong in casa amor, and the way matt broke things off with kaz was just spectacular, I never liked kaz! I’m glad jake has been found out for being a snake tho!

    381
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute OneClubSince1888
    Favourite OneClubSince1888
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 11:27 AM

    @Martin Redington: LOL

    140
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mickety Dee
    Favourite Mickety Dee
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 11:28 AM

    @Martin Redington: Funniest comment I’ve read in a while

    75
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joecantdance
    Favourite Joecantdance
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 11:29 AM

    @Martin Redington: OMGOMGOMGONGOMG, she didn’t?

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Fagan
    Favourite John Fagan
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 11:58 AM

    @Martin Redington: Are Jiberty finished? I always thought Jake was playing games just to get the money.

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Áine Kav
    Favourite Áine Kav
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 1:28 PM

    @Martin Redington: Ha ha ha ha Gas

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Grey
    Favourite David Grey
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 11:30 AM

    I’ve never seen Love Island, the adverts are enough.
    I’m guessing it’s more about materialistic Bimbos bonking each other rather than intellectual discussions on philosophy and Science?….

    244
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O'Keeffe
    Favourite Dave O'Keeffe
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 11:34 AM

    @David Grey: o believe the correct terms are bimbos and himbos

    109
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran
    Favourite Ciaran
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 11:33 AM

    Just really shows the overall dumbing of society when both are compared to eachother like this.

    Instead of kids aspiring to be Olympians and represent their country in a chosen discipline, they want to be a ditso “influencer” and be on a reality tv show ..

    250
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Barrett
    Favourite Dave Barrett
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 12:50 PM

    Intelligent people would not watch love Island tripe.

    115
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Cunningham
    Favourite Paul Cunningham
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 11:04 AM

    Tallafornia was the logical conclusion to the ‘send attractive muppets to a house’ concept, and was far more entertaining and somehow less manipulative.

    88
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute JustBEERbarry
    Favourite JustBEERbarry
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 11:53 AM

    @Paul Cunningham: are you implying the cast of Tallafornia were attractive?

    76
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rory Murphy
    Favourite Rory Murphy
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 12:23 PM

    Enjoying the Olympics when I can… What is this other muck you speak of?

    92
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ken Loughman
    Favourite Ken Loughman
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 12:23 PM

    Where’s the option for “ I would rather watch wall-to-wall news articles on the North”?

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerard
    Favourite Gerard
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 2:15 PM

    I think the poll says more about the person asking it than those answering.

    I’ve never watched it, but I’m aware Love Island is an obsession for some. That’s fine, I don’t need to trash it just cause I don’t see the appeal. But it’s not THAT popular, which this poll clearly shows. That this even crossed someone’s mind just shows how presumptuous people can be that EVERYONE loves the thing they love.

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin
    Favourite Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 2:31 PM

    Saw a bit of Love Island last night. Tuned in just as one of the women were shouting at and verbally abusing one of the men. If it were the other way around he would be accused of being an abusive mysogynist and pulled up on his behaviour. What a terrible roll model.

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ed w
    Favourite ed w
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 1:52 PM

    Olympics definitely

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sally
    Favourite Sally
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 11:19 AM

    I watched the first three episodes of love island this year and decided that life is way too short to be wasting it watching rubbish like that

    96
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mickety Dee
    Favourite Mickety Dee
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 11:29 AM

    @Sally: So what’s the latest in Corrie then?

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave
    Favourite Dave
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 1:56 PM

    Comparing the olympics to love island for watchabilty is like comparing the world cup final to a sunday leage game for quality.

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cian Nolan
    Favourite Cian Nolan
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 1:57 PM

    The results of this poll, as of 13:57 today, reassure my faith in Humanity (well, most of it)

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noel Martin
    Favourite Noel Martin
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 11:37 AM

    None of the above.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Conneely
    Favourite Mary Conneely
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 3:22 PM

    Imagine admitting to watching Love Island, I would be mortified.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Paget
    Favourite Mary Paget
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 8:17 PM

    @Mary Conneely: your morto mary

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Kelly
    Favourite Stephen Kelly
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 3:48 PM

    Olympics easily cos I have never nor will I ever watch Love Island.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute paul mccoy
    Favourite paul mccoy
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 1:20 PM

    Love island pure trash.

    56
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Paget
    Favourite Mary Paget
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 8:16 PM

    @paul mccoy: up against the wall with them then hose the fake tan off the wall

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seán Corcoran Antichrist
    Favourite Seán Corcoran Antichrist
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 11:37 AM

    Each to thier own but I’d either loaf a wall..

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Flavin
    Favourite Brian Flavin
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 12:00 PM

    Rubbish programme some negative talk group

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alvean Jones (Sign name: Side Ponytail)
    Favourite Alvean Jones (Sign name: Side Ponytail)
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 11:50 PM

    Olympics, without a doubt. Far more interesting.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Paget
    Favourite Mary Paget
    Report
    Aug 7th 2021, 8:49 PM

    Bus wa.. Ers

    3
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds