The Poynter Institute Menu Donate State Editions * California * Florida * Iowa * Michigan * New Hampshire * New York * North Carolina * Pennsylvania * Texas * West Virginia * Wisconsin Issues * All Issues * Online hoaxes * Coronavirus * Health Care * Immigration * Extremism * Taxes * Marijuana * Environment * Crime * Guns * Foreign Policy * LGBTQ+ People * Joe Biden * Kamala Harris * Donald Trump * Mitch McConnell * Hakeem Jeffries * Ron DeSantis Media * PunditFact * Tucker Carlson * Sean Hannity * Rachel Maddow * Bloggers * PolitiFact Videos Campaigns * 2024 Elections Truth-o-Meter * True * Mostly True * Half True * Mostly False * False * Pants on Fire Promises * Biden Promise Tracker * Trump-O-Meter * Obameter * Latest Promises About Us * Our Process * Our Staff * En Español * Who pays for PolitiFact? * Advertise with Us * Suggest a Fact-check * Corrections and Updates * Newsletters Donate #### Follow us The Facts Newsletter Sign up English Español ### Get PolitiFact in your inbox. * Weekly Email Newsletter * Daily Email Newsletter Your Email Address Sign Up ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/98605b4996e42408507987c4affd735f.jpg\\") ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/d34069b2fffce57ddf492536b7c1e859.jpg\\") StGeorgeGazette.com stated on June 29, 2017 in an Internet post: \"Donald Trump plans to step down as President of the United States and resign from office within the next 30 days.\" ![\\"true\\"](\\" ![\\"pants- fire\\"](\\" * Fake news * PunditFact * StGeorgeGazette.com ![\\"Joshua](\\" By Joshua Gillin July 5, 2017 # Story about Ryan announcing Trump’s resignation comes from infamous fake news writer A fake news story that claimed House Speaker Paul Ryan announced President Donald Trump’s resignation is actually the brainchild of one of the Internet’s most prolific hoax authors. The headline on a June 29, 2017, article on StGeorgeGazette.com read, \"Paul Ryan: ‘Donald Trump plans to resign from office within the next 30 days’.\" Facebook users flagged the story as part of the social media site’s efforts to combat fake news. \"Donald Trump plans to step down as President of the United States and resign from office within the next 30 days,\" the post quoted Ryan. \"Amid the fury of scandals with Russia, the growing criticism from world leaders, the numerous problems his administration and cabinet have had, his lack of care for the environment; Republicans and myself believe this is the best thing to happen, and with some persuasion, Trump has also agreed this was for the best.\" Now, it’s obvious that Ryan hasn’t announced Trump is resigning. But other clues also show that the story is bogus. There is no media outlet called the St. George Gazette. The website implies it is based in St. George, Utah, but the newspaper there is called the Spectrum. #### Featured Fact-check ![](\\" Instagram_logo_2016.svg/322c808c00e73c217d17772ddd5a0eb5.jpg\\") ![](\\" Instagram_logo_2016.svg/8b142c91ebe468a84a192e6df2b7b994.jpg\\") Instagram posts stated on August 12, 2024 in an Instagram post Kamala Harris posted about banning Barron Trump’s friend from X because he wore a “Biden Loves Minors” shirt. ![\\"true\\"](\\" false/33efdb6633e5e2fdc2d4e2f63383a1e0.jpg.\\") ![\\"false\\"](\\" false.jpg\\") By Sofia Ahmed • August 14, 2024 The story also quoted one Paul Horner, which is the name of a big-time writer of fabricated news stories. One of his trademarks is always putting his own name into his stories. Horner, formerly a writer at fake news site NationalReport.net, is credited with writing stories ranging from Bill Murray running for president to President Barack Obama opening a Muslim museum to Banksy getting arrested. You can read a roundup of some his work at NewsExaminer.net, which also is a fake news site. Among his often-used calling cards in online stories are the use of the byline Jimmy Rustling, numerous references to \"Fappy the Anti-Masturbation Dolphin\" and a plea to donate socks to the homeless. The footer note posted on the bottom of the website lists a \"complaint department\" phone number that is actually the number for the controversial Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan. It’s another Horner staple to use that number: The Ryan article cites the same number as a hotline set up by the White House for people to comment on Trump’s resignation. There’s otherwise no contact information for the website. We reached out to Horner, who responded to us with a cheeky reply on Facebook, but did not address this particular story. The story is made up, in any case. We rate it Pants On Fire! Share the Facts 2017-07-05 18:05:57 UTC PolitiFact ![\\"PolitiFact\\"](\\" logo-big.jpg\\"/) 1 1 7 ![\\"PolitiFact](\\" pof.png\\") PolitiFact Rating: Pants on Fire \"Donald Trump plans to step down as President of the United States and resign from office within the next 30 days.\" StGeorgeGazette.com website ![](\\" independentgroup__________________3.jpg\\") in an Internet post Thursday, June 29, 2017 2017-06-29 Read More info #### Read About Our Process The Principles of the Truth-O-Meter ### Our Sources StGeorgeGazette.com, \"Paul Ryan: ‘Donald Trump Plans To Resign From Office Within The Next 30 Days’,\" June 30, 2017 Washington Post, \"This is not an interview with Banksy,\" Oct. 22, 2014 PaulHorner.com, \"Statement of Paul Horner,\" Dec. 13, 2016 NewsExaminer.net, \"Paul Horner: Internet News Satirist, Writer, Comedian, Performance Artist, Hoax Artist & Fake News Spokesman,\" June 28, 2017 Interview with Paul Horner, StGeorgeGazette.com writer, July 2, 2017 ## Browse the Truth-O-Meter ### More by Joshua Gillin ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/98605b4996e42408507987c4affd735f.jpg\\") ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/d34069b2fffce57ddf492536b7c1e859.jpg\\") FreedomJunkshun.com stated on November 6, 2017 in a headline: \"Supreme Court issues its first bench warrant ever.\" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Susan Areson • November 9, 2017 ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/98605b4996e42408507987c4affd735f.jpg\\") ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/d34069b2fffce57ddf492536b7c1e859.jpg\\") React365.com stated on November 7, 2017 in an Internet post: Says the University of Florida \"requests to cancel rivalry game\" against Florida State University. ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • November 7, 2017 ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/98605b4996e42408507987c4affd735f.jpg\\") ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/d34069b2fffce57ddf492536b7c1e859.jpg\\") YourNewsWire.com stated on November 5, 2017 in an Internet post: \"Texas Church shooter was Antifa and wanted to start (a) ‘communist revolution.’ \" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • November 6, 2017 ![](\\" ![](\\" Sebastian Gorka stated on November 1, 2017 in an appearance on \'Hannity\': Says Jake Tapper said Allahu Akbar was a \"beautiful phrase\" after a terrorist attack in New York. ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • November 2, 2017 ![](\\" ![](\\" Bloggers stated on October 6, 2017 in Internet posts: \"California Democrat Maxine Waters charged on 3 counts.\" ![\\"barely-true\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"barely-true\\"](\\" barely-true.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • November 2, 2017 ![](\\" ![](\\" Bloggers stated on October 29, 2017 in Internet posts: Says actor Morgan Freeman said, \"Jailing Hillary\" is the best way to \"restore public faith in government.\" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • November 1, 2017 ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/98605b4996e42408507987c4affd735f.jpg\\") ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/d34069b2fffce57ddf492536b7c1e859.jpg\\") FreedomJunkshun.com stated on October 28, 2017 in a headline: \"Hillary Clinton leaves the country as Mueller indictment is announced.\" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • October 31, 2017 ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/98605b4996e42408507987c4affd735f.jpg\\") ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/d34069b2fffce57ddf492536b7c1e859.jpg\\") FreedomJunkshun.com stated on October 27, 2017 in a headline: \"Breitbart leaks names of four Dems being charged in Mueller’s Russia probe.\" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • October 31, 2017 ![](\\" michaelmoore/d10e6fe97230119369c8f19eb11ae6a3.jpg\\") ![](\\" michaelmoore/24d3cd2ad61b2369eb03420edf082419.jpg\\") Michael Moore stated on October 4, 2017 in a Facebook post: \"People who die from a home invasion make up a sad but minuscule .04% of all gun murders in the U.S. And over a third of them are killed by their own gun that the criminal has either stolen or wrestled from them.\" ![\\"barely-true\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"barely-true\\"](\\" barely-true.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • October 25, 2017 ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/98605b4996e42408507987c4affd735f.jpg\\") ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/d34069b2fffce57ddf492536b7c1e859.jpg\\") React365.com stated on October 23, 2017 in a headline: \"Tulsa school closes after brutal fire.\" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • October 23, 2017 ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/98605b4996e42408507987c4affd735f.jpg\\") ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/d34069b2fffce57ddf492536b7c1e859.jpg\\") AsAmericanAsApplePie.org stated on October 16, 2017 in a headline: \"Hillary (Clinton) caught on tape laughing about (Hurricane) Irma ‘wiping out all of those Florida hillbillies’.\" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • October 18, 2017 ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/98605b4996e42408507987c4affd735f.jpg\\") ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/d34069b2fffce57ddf492536b7c1e859.jpg\\") AsAmericanAsApplePie.org stated on October 15, 2017 in a headline: \"San Juan city council votes unanimously to impeach Trump-hating mayor.\" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • October 17, 2017 ![](\\" ![](\\" Viral image stated on October 9, 2017 in Internet posts: A viral image shows LeBron James wearing a T-shirt that reads, \"We march, y’all mad. We sit down, y’all mad. We speak up, y’all mad. We die, y’all silent.\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Joshua Gillin • October 12, 2017 ![](\\" ![](\\" Bloggers stated on October 9, 2017 in a headline: \"President Trump signs executive order stripping NFL of ‘non-profit’ status.\" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • October 10, 2017 ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/98605b4996e42408507987c4affd735f.jpg\\") ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/d34069b2fffce57ddf492536b7c1e859.jpg\\") AsAmericanAsApplePie.org stated on October 8, 2017 in a headline: \"Jason Aldean gig canceled after he sells out to liberals on ‘SNL’.\" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • October 10, 2017 ### Story about Ryan announcing Trump’s resignation comes from infamous fake news writer * ![](\\" ![](\\" Dave McCormick stated on August 25, 2024 in a TV ad: Sen. Bob Casey “voted to sell American oil to China.” ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Caleb McCullough • August 28, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Mike Rogers stated on August 16, 2024 in a blog post: Rep. Elissa Slotkin’s vote for the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act was a vote to “cut Medicare benefits for seniors.” ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Caleb McCullough • August 28, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Social Media stated on August 21, 2024 in una publicaciones en redes sociales: Videos muestran a Kamala Harris ebria. ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Maria Briceño • August 28, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" X posts stated on August 27, 2024 in a social media post: The order of candidate names on North Carolina’s ballot shows a “clear attempt at voter manipulation.” ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Paul Specht • August 28, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Facebook posts stated on August 23, 2024 in a Facebook post: “Colin Kaepernick \'screams\' as Coach Kyle Shanahan denies his return request: \'The kneeling symbol has no chance of coming back.’” ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Ciara O\'Rourke • August 28, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Facebook posts stated on August 21, 2024 in a Facebook post: Beyoncé and Taylor Swift announced a “big endorsement concert” and said, “No more silence, before it’s too late, our voice must be heard now!” ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Ciara O\'Rourke • August 28, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Viral image stated on August 22, 2024 in a Facebook post: “Breaking: WNBA referees disqualify players under league’s new ‘no anthem kneeling’ rule.” ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Ciara O\'Rourke • August 28, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Bob Casey stated on August 22, 2024 in a speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention: “Prices are up because these corporations are scheming to drive them up.” ![\\"barely-true\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"barely-true\\"](\\" barely-true.jpg\\") By Madison Czopek • August 28, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Threads posts stated on August 22, 2024 in Threads posts: Gov. Tim Walz insulted Ann Coulter’s romantic history after she called his son “weird.” ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Sofia Ahmed • August 28, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Instagram posts stated on August 25, 2024 in an Instagram post: Video shows helicopter “dropping millions” of mosquitoes in Massachusetts towns hit by eastern equine encephalitis virus. ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Jeff Cercone • August 28, 2024 Load more ### Support independent fact-checking. Become a member! In a world of wild talk and fake news, help us stand up for the facts. 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Donald Trump plans to step down as President of the United States and resign from office within the next 30 days