Fact Check: What To Know About This Photo of Zelenskyy Supposedly Posing with Stacks of Money
Claim:
A photograph authentically shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and first lady Olena Zelenska posing in front of stacks of money.
Rating:
A picture allegedly showing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and first lady Olena Zelenska with stacks of money was shared on X (formerly Twitter) in early June 2024. One post featuring the photograph asked, "Can you think of any country that is more corrupt than Ukraine?" The post has since received 301,100 views, 6,900 likes and 2,000 reposts, as of this writing.
(X user @GabeZZOZZ)
The photograph also spread on X (formerly Twitter) in July 2022.
Because the photograph was digitally edited to include Zelenskyy and Zelenska, we have rated this claim as "Fake."
The TinEye reverse-image search tool showed that the original photograph depicted Floyd Mayweather, a former professional boxer.
(www.tineye.com)
Moreover, we found that Mayweather posted the photograph in July 2019 on his Instagram profile, with a caption reading:
This is what I've been hearing for 23 years... "All Mayweather does is brag about his cars, his jewelry, his mansions, his ladies, his clothes and his money ". And this is what Mayweather says back... "I'm happy y'all spent over 2 decades hating on me instead of building your own legacy " 😂
P.S. I'm here to stay
Photo Credit : @moneyyaya
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzgtylNFhqE/
The photograph of Zelenskyy and Zelenska included in the edited image was originally featured in Vogue's article from July 2022, with the title, "Portrait of Bravery: Ukraine's First Lady, Olena Zelenska."
(www.vogue.com)
It was also reposted on the magazine's Instagram profile:
We've covered numerous Zelenskyy- and Zelenska-related rumors since the beginning of the Russian invasion on Ukraine.
For instance, in June 2024 we investigated whether Zelenskyy purchased a casino resort in Cyprus. In October 2023, we debunked a false claim that Zelenska spent $1.1 million on Cartier jewelry and got a salesperson fired in the process during a visit to the U.S. with her husband in September 2023.
Sources:
Kasprak, Alex. "Did Ukraine's First Lady Spend $1.1M on Cartier Jewelry During September 2023 NYC Trip?" Snopes, 6 Oct. 2023, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/olena-zelenska-cartier-jewelry/.
---. "Ukraine's President Zelenskyy Bought a Casino in Cyprus?" Snopes, 5 June 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/zelenskyy-casino-cyprus/.
Leibovitz, Rachel Donadio, Annie. "Portrait of Bravery: Ukraine's First Lady, Olena Zelenska." Vogue, 26 July 2022, https://www.vogue.com/article/portrait-of-bravery-ukraines-first-lady-olena-zelenska.
"What's the Real Story Behind Floyd Mayweather Sitting With Stack of Money on the Table?" EssentiallySports, 1 Oct. 2021, https://www.essentiallysports.com/boxing-news-whats-the-real-story-behind-floyd-mayweather-sitting-with-stack-of-money-on-the-table/.
