POLICY WIRE FACT CHECK: Convicted sex offender offered opening prayer at rally for GOP Senate nominee in North Carolina

The Claim

A viral post circulated on social media and news platforms claimed that a convicted sex offender delivered the opening prayer at a rally supporting a Republican Senate nominee in North Carolina. The claim gained traction after being shared widely on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, with some users accusing the event organizers of insensitivity or political opportunism.

The specific statement referenced in the viral content was attributed to an unnamed source who alleged that the individual in question had been convicted of a sexual offense and had not completed his sentence. The post suggested that this person had been invited to lead a prayer at a public event, raising concerns about the appropriateness of the invitation and the potential for misleading the public about the individual’s background.

The Details & Investigation

According to the original report from AP News, the claim originated from a post that appeared on a social media platform, which cited an unspecified source claiming that a man with a criminal record had been allowed to give an opening prayer at a rally for Republican candidate Ted Budd, who was running for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina. However, upon closer examination, the details surrounding the claim were found to be inconsistent with verified records and official statements.

Investigative journalists at AP Fact Check reached out to the campaign office of Ted Budd and the event organizers. Both parties confirmed that no individual with a criminal history, let alone a convicted sex offender, had been invited to deliver a prayer at any of the rallies associated with Budd’s campaign. Additionally, no footage or audio recordings of such an event were found in public archives, including those from local news outlets covering the rallies.

Further investigation revealed that the original post was likely based on a misinterpretation or conflation of unrelated events. For instance, there were reports of a different individual with a criminal record attending a separate event in North Carolina, but no evidence linked him to the Budd campaign. Moreover, the claim may have been amplified by users seeking to discredit the GOP candidate through false narratives, suggesting a possible coordinated effort to spread disinformation.

Given the lack of verifiable evidence supporting the claim and the presence of inconsistencies in the original post, it is more likely that this was an example of misinformation—possibly stemming from a mix-up of unrelated information or a misunderstanding of the event details. However, the rapid spread of the claim across multiple platforms, coupled with its potential to influence public perception, raises concerns about whether it could also be part of a broader disinformation campaign aimed at undermining the credibility of the GOP candidate.

The Verdict

The claim that a convicted sex offender offered an opening prayer at a rally for a GOP Senate nominee in North Carolina is not supported by verified evidence. Multiple sources, including the campaign office of Ted Budd and local news coverage, confirm that no such individual was involved in the event. Furthermore, no credible documentation or video footage of the incident exists.

While the claim may have originated from an unintentional error or confusion, its widespread circulation suggests a deliberate attempt to mislead the public. As such, this claim falls under the category of MISLEADING due to its potential to distort public understanding and its alignment with disinformation tactics seen in political campaigns. It is important for readers to critically evaluate such claims and rely on verified sources before drawing conclusions.

Counter-misinformation & disinformation investigation conducted by PolicyWire Editorial Desk (PW).