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The Big Lies › 2016 › File PF-0037
Debunked

Muslim student's report of Trump supporters harassing her on NYC subway

Outlets reported that three drunk men shouting 'Donald Trump' had harassed Baruch College student Yasmin Seweid on a Manhattan subway and tried to pull off her hijab while riders watched.

Screenshot of the original report as published
Screenshot of the report as published: slate.com. Tap to open the source.
Who it helped: Democrats

The story supported a narrative that Trump's win had unleashed violence by his supporters.

What was reported

Outlets reported that three drunk men shouting 'Donald Trump' had harassed Baruch College student Yasmin Seweid on a Manhattan subway and tried to pull off her hijab while riders watched.

What actually happened

The NYPD said Seweid admitted she made up the story, reportedly to avoid trouble at home after missing a curfew. On Dec. 14, 2016 she was arrested and charged with filing a false report. The story had been widely cited as part of a post-election wave of anti-Muslim attacks by Trump supporters.

The proof

NYPD statements and Seweid's arrest on a false-report charge.

The receipt. Copy this and paste it anywhere:

Muslim student's report of Trump supporters harassing her on NYC subway — Debunked. NYPD statements and Seweid's arrest on a false-report charge. Full file: https://www.thepropagandafiles.com/case/seweid-subway-trump-supporters-hoax/

Original reporting

Corrections, findings & records

Archived copies

Stories get edited after publication. These open the Internet Archive's earliest saved copy of each original.

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