Fact Check

Did Roger Stone Record a Rap 'Music Video' Outside CPAC 2021?

The recently pardoned political operative and former Daily Caller men's fashion editor undeniably appeared in a video containing words and rhymes plausibly defined as rap.

Published Feb. 28, 2021

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 27: Roger Stone dances with rapper Forgiato Blow as he arrives for the Conservative Political Action Conference held in the Hyatt Regency on February 27, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. Begun in 1974, CPAC brings together conservative organizations, activists, and world leaders to discuss issues important to them.  (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Image Via Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Claim:
Roger Stone filmed a rap "music video" during the CPAC 2021 conference.

Roger Stone told his followers on the messaging app Telegram that he was not invited to speak at the 2021 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) — a who's who of American conservatism held this year in Orlando, Florida. "It [doesn't] matter because I am Roger Stone and the party is always where I am," he explained.

True to form, Stone told his followers on Telegram on Feb. 26, 2021, that he was "scheduled to shoot a music video at an undisclosed location in Orlando with my friend and rocker #BrysonGray." Later, in a since-deleted post on Parler, he added more detail, explaining that he'd be "recording a music video with my patriot pal @ForgiatoBlow with @RealBrysonGray today in Orlando."

A fervent ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump currently facing scrutiny for his alleged role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, Stone was pardoned by Trump on Dec. 23, 2020, after being "sentenced to 40 months in prison on seven counts of witness tampering, lying to Congress, and obstructing the inquiry by the House into the Trump campaign's possible ties to Russia."

Bryson Gray is a pro-Trump rapper from North Carolina. Forgiato Blow is a rapper "known for other major factors, such as his support of Trump and hosting extravagant parties in the St. Petersburg area." In a video filmed by Daily Caller reporter Jorge Ventura that went viral on Feb. 27, Stone can be seen dancing with Forgiato Blow in front of a large pickup that reimagines the former president as Rambo:

https://streamable.com/2wjwuq

While it is unclear if this video is only part of a larger musical effort that, perhaps, involves Bryson Gray, the viral clip of Roger Stone rapping is authentic. As such, the claim is "True."

Alex Kasprak is an investigative journalist and science writer reporting on scientific misinformation, online fraud, and financial crime.