POLICY WIRE FACT CHECK: Did Patrick Stewart say Trump put America on edge of ‘very bad flu infection’?
The Claim Following the passing of the legendary actor Sir Patrick Stewart on October 28, 2026, a viral quote resurfaced across multiple social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter),...
The Claim
Following the passing of the legendary actor Sir Patrick Stewart on October 28, 2026, a viral quote resurfaced across multiple social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook. The claim asserts that Stewart made a scathing critique of former President Donald Trump during his first term, specifically stating: ‘The fact is, when America sneezes, the world catches a cold. America, I think, is on the edge of a very bad flu infection, and it is because of the man who is in the White House.’
The statement reportedly gained significant traction as users shared the quote as part of tributes to the actor, framing it as a definitive reflection of his views on American politics. The rapid recirculation has led to numerous public inquiries regarding whether these remarks were genuine statements from the thespian or modern digital fabrications designed to garner posthumous engagement.
The Details & Investigation
The PolicyWire Investigative Desk traced the origins of this statement back to a primary source video. The quote originates from a video interview conducted by The A.V. Club, a reputable entertainment publication, which was published on November 16, 2017—approximately 10 months into Donald Trump’s first presidency. The specific clip containing the ‘flu infection’ metaphor was titled ‘Sir Patrick Stewart is pretty godd*** upset about Donald Trump,’ providing a clear context for the actor’s emotional state at the time.
In the verified 2017 footage, Stewart is heard clearly saying: ‘You might say to me, “Well, you’re not an American, what has it got to do with you?” The fact is when America sneezes, the world catches a cold. America, I think, is on the edge of a very bad flu infection, and it is because of the man who’s in the White House. I do find, as time goes by, I find myself becoming increasingly anxious about where he’s heading.’ The interview continued with Stewart expressing fear over the political climate in both the United States and Europe, specifically comparing the domestic situation to the ‘disgraceful mistake’ of Brexit.
Evaluating the nature of this viral spread, our team analyzed it through the misinformation/disinformation framework. Because the footage was published in late 2017—well before the widespread availability of generative artificial intelligence and ‘deepfake’ technology—there is no technical evidence to suggest the media was manipulated or fabricated. Therefore, the viral recirculation of this quote is classified as MISINFORMATION. While the quote itself is authentic and correctly attributed to Stewart, it was often recirculated out of its original temporal context following his death, leading some viewers to believe it was a more recent or contemporary statement rather than a decade-old interview clip.
The evidence is further bolstered by the archival records of The A.V. Club, which hosted multiple clips from the same interview session. These records provide a consistent narrative of Stewart’s concerns regarding government appointments and the broader geopolitical direction of the U.S. during 2017. The claim that Stewart said these words is supported by primary source video evidence and historical publication records from the media outlet.
The Verdict
The claim that Patrick Stewart said Donald Trump put America on the edge of a ‘very bad flu infection’ is TRUE. The statement is documented in a verified 2017 video interview with The A.V. Club, where Stewart used the specific metaphor to express his anxiety regarding the political trajectory of the United States at that time.
While the quote recirculated recently following the actor’s death, the content of the quote itself is authentic and there is no evidence to suggest the footage was AI-generated or a coordinated disinformation effort.
Counter-misinformation & disinformation investigation conducted by PolicyWire Editorial Desk (PW).
