A rumor that U.S. Attorney Pam Bondi said, “We classify inflatable frog costumes as part of the antifa uniform” circulated online in October, with users on social media platforms such as Facebook (archived), Threads (archived) and X (archived) posting the claim. One Facebook post read:
BONDI: “WE CLASSIFY INFLATABLE FROG COSTUMES AS PART OF THE ANTIFA UNIFORM”
Some readers seemed to interpret the rumor as a factual recounting of real-life events. However, there was no evidence of Bondi making the statement. Google search results returned only social media posts related to the rumor, not reports from credible or official sources.
(Google.com)
Rather, the rumor regarding Bondi’s alleged quote originated with Facebook user James Schlarmann (archived) — a social media account that describes its output as being humorous or satirical in nature. The account’s bio reads: “Satirist. Comedian.”
The fictional story spread in the aftermath of demonstrations in Portland, Oregon, protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in which many participants donned inflatable animal costumes, including frogs.
The social media account has a history of making up stories for shares and comments, as evidenced by other claims on its page. Snopes has repeatedly fact-checked claims Schlarmann has posted, something he has then later announced on his pages.
For background, here is why we alert readers to rumors created by sources that call their output humorous or satirical.
