Serbian magazine says it was tricked into reporting hoax about Trump apologizing for '90s bombings


The Serbian news weekly Nedeljnik confirmed it was the victim of a hoax after publishing fake comments attributed to Donald Trump. Nedeljnik had originally reported that Trump apologized for the United States' aerial attacks on Serbs in 1995 and 1999; in the United States, Newsweek reported the story. Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller told Newsweek that "this was a hoax and we look forward to receiving a formal retraction and apology from all involved." (Our original story, with the Trump campaign's update, appears here.)
While Nedeljnik pinned the blame for the incident on a Serbian-American who claimed to be involved with the Trump campaign, the publication added in its retraction that "we believed the party who provided us with evidence … and we did not fulfill our professional duties … This wasn't done out of malice and not in order to bring readers astray."
Nedeljnik's source maintained the story is authentic and said he would provide evidence, The Atlantic reports.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
New tariffs set on 14 trading partners
Speed Read A new slate of tariffs will begin August 1 on imports from Japan, South Korea, Thailand and more
-
New tariffs set on 14 trading partners
Speed Read A new slate of tariffs will begin on August 1, with rates ranging from 25% to 40% on imports from Japan, South Korea, Thailand and more
-
Elon Musk launching 'America Party'
Speed Read The tech mogul promised to form a new political party if Trump's megabill passed Congress
-
Judge blocks Trump's asylum ban at US border
Speed Read The president violated federal law by shutting down the US-Mexico border to asylum seekers, said the ruling
-
Thai court suspends prime minister over leaked call
Speed Read Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended, pending an ethics investigation
-
Senate passes GOP megabill after Alaska side deal
The pivotal yes vote came from Sen. Lisa Murkowski, whose support was secured following negotiated side deals for her home state Alaska
-
Trump sues LA over immigration policies
Speed Read He is suing over the city's sanctuary law, claiming it prevents local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities
-
Obama, Bush and Bono eulogize USAID on final day
Speed Read The US Agency for International Development, a humanitarian organization, has been gutted by the Trump administration