At the beginning of May 2024, a paid Facebook post spread the rumor that Steve Harvey had been fired as host of “Family Feud.” The ad said that he was leaving the game show after almost 14 years. “Tensions Erupt After His On-Air Slip-Up,” the ad said. “Steve Harvey Abruptly Fired From ‘Family Feud,’” it said.
It turned out to be false, though. Harvey wasn’t “booted off of Family Feud,” and Oprah Winfrey hadn’t recently talked to him (see picture below). Also, the ad led to a scam that said Harvey had supported a product called Canna Labs CBD Gummies when he hadn’t. He never said that any kind of CBD candies were good. When we searched Google for more information about Canna Labs CBD Gummies, we mostly found fake web pages and videos.
People who clicked on the ad were taken to a fake CNN story on pastadibern.pro. The headline read, “Steve Harvey Fired from ‘Family Feud’ After Shocking On-Air Confession to Oprah Winfrey.” (It wasn’t possible for us to make a link to an old version of the page.)The fake CNN story was on pastadibern.pro, not cnn.com.
Steve Harvey was quickly fired from ABC’s “Family Feud” after making a mistake during an interview with Oprah Winfrey.
The fake and dishonest story had a fake post on X that was said to be from Harvey’s account (@IAmSteveHarvey).This fake post was never seen on Harvey’s X account.Steve Harvey was quickly fired from ABC’s “Family Feud” after making a mistake during an interview with Oprah Winfrey.This is how the fake CNN story on pastadibern.pro started:
Chris Dungey, CEO of ABC Entertainment, said this morning at TCA that Steve Harvey’s offensive comedy had “absolutely nothing to do with” him being fired from hosting “Family Feud.”Harvey wrote after being fired from “Family Feud” that he was “stunned and blindsided by the show I called home for the last 14 years.”Steve, 67, is famous for hosting the hit daytime show “Family Feud.” He thinks that ABC is firing him because of something he said in an interview with Oprah Winfrey.Harvey went off script last week during the interview and talked about his fight with ED and how he finally got better. Oprah Winfrey stated her point of view:
“I just think those kinds of conversations have their place, and my show isn’t one of them.”She then said, “I’m glad Steve found a solution or something to his problem ‘downstairs,’ but it was rude, and because it was a family event, his hosting job should be canceled.”Harvey didn’t agree and asked, “Why the bad reputation?! ED is something that most guys have trouble with as they age. There ARE real answers, so why hide them? I was in too much pain for too long to keep the truth a secret. Canna Labs CBD Gummies helped me.
The rest of the fake news story had fake quotes and pictures of Harvey’s wife Marjorie and Dr. Phil McGraw from the old talk show “Dr. Phil.”
This rumor about Harvey and CBD goods was first written about by Snopes in 2022. We also disproved other claims that were similar, such as stories that described scams involving Winfrey, Mayim Bialik (former “Jeopardy” host), and many others.
LESSON FOR READERS: ALWAYS VERIFY BEFORE YOU BELIEVE OR SHARE
This story is a reminder that misinformation often spreads by exploiting famous names, emotional headlines, and trusted news brands. Scammers know that people are more likely to click on sensational stories involving well-known celebrities, especially when the stories promise shocking revelations or secret health cures.
Here are the key lessons:
- Sensational headlines are often designed to manipulate emotions. Claims like “fired after a shocking confession” or “abruptly removed” are meant to make readers click before they think.
- Always check the source. A webpage may look like a trusted news outlet, but the website address often reveals the truth. In this case, the story appeared on a fake website—not the official CNN website.
- Celebrity endorsements can be fabricated. Scammers frequently invent quotes, fake interviews, and edited images to make it appear that celebrities support products they have never used or promoted.
- Health products are common targets for scams. Fake stories often promote miracle cures or supplements, especially CBD products, weight-loss pills, or anti-aging treatments. Extraordinary health claims should always be treated with skepticism.
- Verify information through reliable sources. Before believing or sharing a viral claim, check trustworthy fact-checking organizations or reputable news outlets to see whether the story has been confirmed.
- Do not let urgency override judgment. Scammers rely on people reacting quickly instead of taking a few moments to verify the information.
MORAL OF THE STORY
The internet makes it easy for false information to spread, but a few minutes of careful verification can prevent scams and misinformation from reaching more people. Think critically, verify the source, and remember that if a headline seems unusually shocking or unbelievable, it deserves closer scrutiny before you accept it as true.
