Fact Check

No, Malia Obama Wasn't Busted for Selling Priceless White House Trinkets

A routine review of content labeled satire.

Published Oct. 28, 2019

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 29:  Malia Ann Obama is seen in Tribeca  on March 29, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by Alo Ceballos/GC Images) (Alo Ceballos/GC Images/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 29: Malia Ann Obama is seen in Tribeca on March 29, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Alo Ceballos/GC Images)
Claim:
Malia Obama was arrested on suspicion of selling priceless White House trinkets she stole while living there.

On April 15, 2019, Daily World Update published an article positing that Malia Obama, the eldest daughter of former U.S. President Barack Obama, had been arrested on suspicion of selling trinkets she had stolen from the White House while living there:

Malia Obama Busted Selling Priceless White House Trinkets She Stole While Living There

A multi-state investigation in cooperation with the White House Historical Artifact Enforcement Division of the Secret Service is about to conclude with the indictment of Malia Obama, according to our sources. Larry and Bob, two guys working inside the task force, spent more than three months tracking down artifacts being sold at exclusive auction houses and online black market dealers.

This item was not a factual recounting of real-life events. The article originated with a website that describes its output as being humorous or satirical in nature, as follows:

Everything on this website is fiction. It is not a lie and it is not fake news because it is not real. If you believe that it is real, you should have your head examined. Any similarities between this site’s pure fantasy and actual people, places, and events are purely coincidental and all images should be considered altered and satirical.

For background, here is why we sometimes write about satire/humor.

Sources

Daily World Update.   "Malia Obama Busted Selling Priceless White House Trinkets She Stole While Living There."    15 April 2019.