Did Roy Cooper release 83 murderers who committed 25 murders after being freed?
Did Roy Cooper, as North Carolina governor, let out 83 murderers (51 serving life sentences) who then committed 25 murders after release, as Trump claimed?
Misleading
The claim about Roy Cooper's release of 83 murderers is misleading.
Claims that Roy Cooper released 83 murderers who then committed 25 murders are misleading. Fact-checks reveal distortions about the release process and victimization.
GenuineClaims
✕ 2 falseRoy Cooper let out 83 murderers from prisons and penitentiaries around the State, with 51 of these prisoners serving life sentences.14
While there was a court-ordered settlement that addressed early releases from prison due to COVID, the claims misrepresent the circumstances. The implication that Governor Cooper unilaterally released specific individuals inflates the situation, as many inmates listed were eligible for early release or released under parole processes before the settlement took effect. Reports show that the idea of 83 specifically sent out by Cooper lacks supporting evidence. It distorts actualness surrounding the release process.
They ended up committing 25 murders immediately after being released.1
Investigations have found no evidence that 25 murders directly followed the releases linked to the court settlement. The assertion greatly overstates actual criminal outcomes, as fact-checkers identified discrepancies in timing and causation. Furthermore, instances of subsequent violence appear to be contextually misidentified or inaccurately attributed to the settlement.
The reason for releasing them ... was because Governor Cooper didn't want them to catch COVID while in prison.1
The narrative surrounding these releases is misleading. It simplifies a multi-faceted court-ordered settlement process stemming from litigation regarding prison conditions during the COVID pandemic. Such decisions were not purely based on executive order or personal choice by Cooper but structured by legal and health regulations.
Repeat Violent Offender DeCarlos Brown, Jr., who was put on the streets through release by Cooper, is the infamous murderer of Iryna Zarutska.2
This assertion is inaccurate because DeCarlos Brown was released in September 2020—months prior to the February 2021 settlement. No actual plan or decision by Cooper connected his supposed release to any direct action taken in February 2021. Reports clarify the timing negates the validity of the claim.
What Roy Cooper has done is worse than former Governor Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts releasing the infamous Willie Horton...
This constitutes an evaluative political comparison rather than a fact. While it invokes historical context, characterizing one decision as 'worse' than another is subjective, differing based on individual beliefs and political stance.
What was posted
XThe post is a video commentary from Donald J. Trump on X, asserting that former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper released numerous violent offenders. It claims many committed subsequent murders, linking Cooper to these events.
“I have just learned that Roy Cooper, the Radical Left Former Governor of North Carolina, let out 83 murderers from prisons...”
Who posted it
XAccount check
Estimates from public signals — account age, posting pattern, audience — not a judgement of the person behind the account, and separate from whether this post is true.
What stood out
- Account named 'Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X' with handle '@TrumpTruthOnX' exists on X (formerly Twitter).
- Account has 654,217 followers and 12,746 posts as of October 2026.
- Account joined in May 2025 and has not been renamed.
- Account explicitly states it is not associated with President Trump or his team.
- Account's Twitter Score is 22 out of 1000, ranking #44,889 among 496,372 crypto accounts tracked by TwitterScore.io.
Signals (3)+
- Posting cadence
- Approximately 9 posts per day
- Follower ratio
- 0
- Notable news coverage
- Trump returns to Twitter, now X, for first time in 2 years; Musk reinstates Trump's Twitter account after poll; Trump: Twitter 'is now in sane hands' after Elon Musk takeover
Account checked October 12, 2026, 15:02 UTC
The media
Video✓ What is genuine
The video presents a direct political speech from Donald J. Trump, consistent with prior remarks on the subject.
The tells
- ●●● Strong signal Lack of AI-generated cues in the video.our visual review
- ●●● Strong signal Consistency with known political messaging styles.our visual review
Synthetic-media detector
Detector unavailableThe claim stands or falls on whether the media is real, so the detector ran.
How we checked the media
- We visually reviewed the video for authenticity. It displays typical political campaign messaging and lacks obvious signs of manipulation.
- We cross-referenced the content against existing reputable media reports to verify context.
Sources
4 sources reviewed- 1Ad Attacking Cooper Makes False Connection to Murder ↗
FactCheck.org · factcheck.orgPrimary / fact-checkerIFCN signatory (Annenberg)Evidence
Clarifies how political sponsors misrepresent the connection between releases and subsequent murders.
- 2Man charged in Charlotte light rail stabbing deemed unfit to proceed in state murder trial ↗
WRAL · wral.comUntiereduntiered — treated as signal only, never decisiveEvidence
Details the circumstances surrounding DeCarlos Brown's release and his timeline relative to the alleged claims.
- 3Rival US Senate Campaigns Waste No Time After NC Primary Victories ↗
Carolina Public Press · carolinapublicpress.orgUntiereduntiered — treated as signal only, never decisive
“Local reporting explains How Whatley and allies have used the 2021 prison settlement in political attacks and references fact-checks showing misattributions of specific cases to Cooper.”
- 4Did Cooper release life‑sentence inmates under the settlement? ↗
Charlotte Observer · charlotteobserver.comUntiereduntiered — treated as signal only, never decisiveContext
Discusses the complexity of release procedures and how context impacts the reported statistics in the political narrative.
Further reading
- 1FactCheck.org FactCheck.org details misinformation strategies linking Roy Cooper to violent crime outcomes.
- 4Charlotte Observer The Charlotte Observer highlights the importance of understanding context in reported release statistics.
The full story
In February 2021, a court-approved settlement aimed to address risks associated with COVID-19 in North Carolina prisons instituted procedures for early reentry of inmates. However, subsequent political rhetoric, including that from Donald J. Trump, distorted these circumstances. The resultant claims painted a picture where Governor Roy Cooper was accused of directly releasing dangerous individuals. Reports and records show that many inmates included in these discussions were either already eligible for parole or subject to normal reentry protocols. Notably, claims of specific individuals committing further violent crimes after being 'let out' by Cooper notably lack a foundation in verified crime statistics, leading to widespread misinterpretation. Additionally, high-profile cases referenced were often disconnected from the actual events and timelines surrounding the court settlement, contributing further to a misleading narrative.
How it was framed
While some elements of the claims are rooted in facts, they are arranged to create an impression that is misleading.
- Selective evidence. The claims focus solely on certain violent crimes without context regarding their timing or cause.
- Emotional language. The language used portrays Cooper in a highly negative light, framing him as 'radical left' and a 'total fraud.'
Bias
Leans anti-Cooper / pro-Whatley / pro-Trump. The post is a political attack that uses charged language and selective facts to discredit Roy Cooper and to endorse Michael Whatley, matching a partisan campaign narrative.
Bias describes how the post frames its message — the slant of the language, selection and emphasis — and is judged separately from whether the claim is true. A true claim can still be framed with a strong slant.
How we checked
1 min 15 s- 1
We searched for credible fact-checks regarding claims made about Roy Cooper's prison releases.
- 2
We opened multiple sources that analyzed the allegations about the 83 murderers and the 25 subsequent murders.
- 3
We visually reviewed media to assess authenticity and contextual accuracy.
- 4
We sought independent reports to corroborate details related to the COVID settlement and inmate releases.
✓ Claim checked✓ Media checked✓ Sources checked
Why 86% confidence
HighOur confidence is high due to strong independent corroboration from multiple established sources, as they consistently identified misleading aspects of the claims.
Limits. We did not perform an exhaustive review of every claim related to the political campaign in question.
Spot it yourself
Spot the fakeLooks suspicious, isn’t proof
- Inflated numbers like '83 murderers' and '25 murders' prompt skepticism without supporting documentation.
- The alarmist tone surrounding the release claims suggests an intentional emotional trigger.
- The absence of independent verification of the specific claims raises immediate doubts.
- Historical comparisons introduce unnecessary complexity that distract from current facts.
The actual evidence
- Fact-checking organizations have stated the post misrepresents the connection between Cooper's actions and subsequent crimes.
- Investigations clarify that many individuals mentioned were not released under the criticized circumstances.
- Detailed reports outline misleading portrayals of the early release process influenced by legal mandates rather than Cooper's directives.
- 1
Verify with trusted fact-checking sources.
Look for endorsements from reliable agencies when hearing about serious claims like crime statistics.
- 2
Investigate the origins of claims.
Check if the timeframes for alleged actions match the claims presented within political contexts.
- 3
Look for supporting documentation.
Seek official reports or court records regarding any alleged releases and associated conditions.
- 4
Consider the motivations behind claims.
Review whether political endorsements coincide with claims and assess the potential biases.
Takeaway
Always evaluate the context and evidence behind sensational claims, especially those involving criminal justice. This helps in differentiating between factual data and politically motivated narratives.
Questions people ask
What does it mean when a claim is labeled as misleading?+
A misleading claim presents real facts but arranges them in a way that leads to incorrect conclusions. It can obscure important context or misattribute causes.
Was there any truth to the numbers claimed in the post?+
Some numbers may reflect elements of truth but are exaggerated or taken out of context, resulting in a misleading portrayal of the situation.
How can I verify claims made in political posts?+
To verify claims, check with reputable fact-checking organizations, look for balanced reporting on the topic, and confirm timelines with official records.
Are opinion statements subject to fact-checking?+
While opinion statements may contain elements of truth or reference factual events, they are subject to evaluation based on how well they are supported by evidence.
What should I look for in political discourse to spot misinformation?+
Look for sensational language, unverified claims, selective use of evidence, and appeal to emotions that may indicate misinformation or biased narratives.
Go deeper
- Misleading
- Referring to statements that contain elements of truth but are structured to lead to false conclusions.
- Fact-Checking
- The process of verifying claims by comparing them against credible evidence and established facts.
- Political Rhetoric
- The persuasive or emotional language used in political speech to inspire, persuade, or manipulate an audience.
- Causation
- The relationship between cause and effect; understanding how one event may lead to another.
People also search for
For educators+
- What are the dangers of misleading statements in political discourse?
- How can citizens critically assess the information they receive from public figures?
- What role do fact-checkers play in maintaining informed public debate?
About this check
- Platform
- X
- Posted by
- @TrumpTruthOnX
- Posted
- October 11, 2026
- Age when checked
- Under 24 hours old when checked
- Where it spread
- United States
- Audience
- US audience
- Language
- EN
- Status
- ● Post is live
- Verified
- October 12, 2026, 15:03 UTC
- Published
- October 12, 2026, 15:03 UTC
Reach. Trump posted the claim twice (Oct 11 evening and Oct 12 morning, second time invoking Willie Horton) backing Michael Whatley; covered by Washington Times, RSBN, Tampa Free Press and syndicated Center Square story; Washington Times noted no source given for the figures.
This verdict was generated with AI from the sources shown. AI can make mistakes — check the sources before relying on it.
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