Hillary Clinton asked whether Julian Assange could be droned
| Hillary Clinton asked whether Julian Assange could be droned | |
|---|---|
| UNSUPPORTED | |
| "As secretary of state, Hillary Clinton asked in a meeting, "Can't we just drone this guy?" about WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange." | |
| Domain | Politics & Elections |
| Tactic | Fabrication |
| Era | Current |
| First seen | 2016 |
| Origin | A story on the website True Pundit, October 2, 2016, citing anonymous State Department sources |
| Last reviewed | 2026-10-29 |
| Further reading: books on Politics & Elections | |
In October 2016 the website True Pundit reported that in late 2010, as WikiLeaks published leaked diplomatic cables, Hillary Clinton asked in a State Department meeting, "Can't we just drone this guy?" WikiLeaks amplified the story.
The report relied on unnamed sources, and no other outlet confirmed it.
What the evidence shows
- Single unverified source. True Pundit cited anonymous State Department sources and provided no documents. The site later became known for publishing unfounded stories.
- Clinton's response. Asked about it, Clinton said she did not recall any such joke, adding "it would have been a joke if it had been said."
- No corroboration. No meeting notes, participants or later investigations confirmed the remark.
Why it matters
A dramatic quote from anonymous sources can travel widely because it fits what readers already believe. Without corroboration, it remains unproven.
Sources
- True Pundit, report on Hillary Clinton and Julian Assange, October 2, 2016.
- Snopes, "Did Hillary Clinton Ask, 'Can't We Just Drone This Guy?'" October 2016.
- The Washington Post, coverage of Clinton's response, October 2016.