FACT CHECK: No Trump statement on securing Duterte’s release from ICC

Claim: US President Donald Trump declared that he would ensure fair treatment for former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte and push for his release from detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The claim originated from a quote card that has been circulating on Facebook, with a version from Macoy Mangilit’s account already garnering more than 99,000 interactions, 7,500 comments, and 2,700 shares since it was posted on January 5.

The quote card cited Trump supposedly saying, “If there’s one thing I believe in, it’s standing by allies. President Duterte led his country his way, and I respect that. I will use every diplomatic channel available to help ensure that FPRRD is treated fairly and to push for his release from the ICC. Strong leaders deserve strong support.”

Bisayang Dako, a Facebook account classified as a personal blog with over 41,000 followers, also made a commentary reel about the quote card. In the reel, he claimed that the quote from Trump was “100% legit.”

The reel was posted on January 6 and has received more than 216,000 views, 9,800 interactions, 616 comments, and 2,800 shares as of writing. Most of the commenters were hopeful that the US president would make good on his word and bring Duterte back to the Philippines.

The facts: The quote card is fake. There is no verified public record of Trump declaring that he would push for Duterte’s release from the ICC.

The supposed quote does not appear in Trump’s verified social media accounts, publicly available statements, and White House records. In addition, no major US or Philippine news outlets have reported on Trump commenting on Duterte’s ICC case.

Duterte has been detained at the ICC since his arrest in March 2025, and he is currently facing charges of crimes against humanity. Following his arrest, falsified quote cards expressing support for the former Philippine leader have circulated on social media, including fake statements attributed to Trump.

While Trump and Duterte maintained a cordial relationship during their terms as presidents, the US leader has not made any public remarks about Duterte’s ICC case.

Not an ICC member: Additionally, it is highly unlikely that Trump supposedly vowed to push for Duterte’s release. The US is not a member of the ICC and has no authority to interfere in the court’s arrest or detention proceedings. The US has no jurisdiction over Duterte’s case as he was arrested over a warrant issued by the ICC.

Recurring false claims: Fact-checking organizations in the Philippines and abroad have previously debunked similar quote cards attributed to Trump and other known personalities that express support for Duterte or criticize the ICC.

Here are similar claims that the fact-checking community has debunked:

• FACT CHECK: Trump not intervening to secure Duterte’s release from ICC
• FACT CHECK: No Trump promise to free Duterte from ICC custody
• FACT CHECK: No reports of Trump seeking Duterte’s release from ICC
• Posts Fabricate Claims About Trump’s Response to Duterte’s Arrest
• Philippines: Duterte arrest sparks disinformation surge – in his favour

– Princess Leah Sagaad/Rappler.com

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