Fact check: Altered image claims to show Ben Affleck wearing anti-Trump T-shirt
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The claim: Image shows Ben Affleck wearing a T-shirt calling Trump supporters 'Losers'
Ben Affleck is the most recent target of a recurring image of an altered T-shirt on social media.
An image purportedly shows the actor wearing a shirt that reads, "Losers in 1865, losers in 1945, losers in 2020." Beside the dates are a Confederate flag, a swastika and a "Make America Great Again" hat.
"Whether you like Ben Affleck or not, the shirt is rocks," reads a Dec. 28, 2021, Facebook post.
The post gathered more than 150 interactions within a week. Similar versions were also shared.
Even though the image is altered, users expressed approval in the comments. While Affleck has been publicly critical of former President Donald Trump, the image in the post was modified to include the slogan. The original image is from 2015 and shows the actor in a plain T-shirt.
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USA TODAY reached out to the user who shared the image for comment.
Original image shows plain T-shirt
Shutterstock images and news reports feature the photograph in question, but they show Affleck was wearing a plain T-shirt while on an outing with his children.
"Ben Affleck drops off Violet Affleck at the doctor's office in Brentwood," reads the caption of an August 2015 Shutterstock photo.
An August 2015 article from Entertainment Tonight Online also shows the actor wearing an unadorned shirt.
In addition, the edited image shows the T-shirt with darker pigmentation than the original.
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Although the image of Affleck sporting the T-shirt is altered, similar shirts are listed for sale on popular sites such as Amazon and Etsy.
Our rating: Altered
Based on our research, we rate ALTERED an image that shows Affleck wearing a T-shirt calling Trump supporters "Losers." The original image is from 2015 and shows the actor in a plain T-shirt.
Our fact-check sources:
USA TODAY, Sept., 20, 2021, Fact check: Image of George Clooney in anti-Trump shirt is altered
Check Your Fact, Nov. 10, 2021, FACT CHECK: DID RYAN REYNOLDS WEAR A SHIRT CALLING TRUMP SUPPORTERS ‘LOSERS’?
Vanity Fair, Oct. 11, 2016, Ben Affleck Has Some Thoughts About Donald Trump’s Locker-Room Talk
Shutterstock, Aug. 25, 2015, Ben Affleck out and about, Los Angeles, America - 25 Aug 2015
Entertainment Tonight Online, Aug. 25, 2015, Ben Affleck Has Officially Ditched His Wedding Ring in L.A.
Amazon, accessed Jan. 5, Official Losers In 1865 Losers In 1945 Losers In 2020 T-Shirt
Etsy, accessed Jan. 5, losers in 1865 losers in 1945 losers in 2020 T-Shirt
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact check: Altered image shows Ben Affleck wearing anti-Trump T-shirt
