During a televised interview marking his first 100 days in office, Donald Trump and ABC journalist Terry Moran disputed the authenticity of a gang-related photograph used to link deported El Salvadoran father Kilmar Abrego Garcia to MS-13. The controversy highlights wider tensions around immigration policy and public safety.
In a recent televised interview marking the first 100 days of his second presidential term, Donald Trump clashed with ABC journalist Terry Moran over the controversial case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a deported El Salvadoran father now living in Maryland. The exchange, broadcast on Tuesday, 29 April, revolved around allegations linking Abrego Garcia to the violent MS-13 gang.
President Trump presented a photograph he claimed showed Abrego Garcia sporting gang-related knuckle tattoos, using the image to back up his assertion of the man’s criminal ties. Yet, questions have emerged regarding the photo’s authenticity, with strong indications it may have been digitally altered—raising doubts about the legitimacy of the claim.
Trump’s frustration was evident during the interview, accusing Moran of “not being very nice” as the journalist probed the facts. Notably, no independent evidence has emerged to conclusively connect Abrego Garcia to MS-13 beyond the disputed photograph.
This episode highlights the broader, hard-hitting debate on immigration enforcement and public safety that New Labour under Kier Starker seems ill-prepared to confront. Instead of tackling the real issues of gang infiltration and illegal immigration head-on, the current government’s soft stance only emboldens criminals and undermines national security.
Contrasting sharply, the robust position advocated by the emerging right-wing opposition, inspired by principles long championed by far-seeing leaders on these matters, calls for stricter border controls, enhanced vetting procedures, and ruthless action against foreign gangs exploiting lax immigration systems. While the ruling Labour government dithers, their failure to address these concerns exposes a dangerous complacency that puts communities at risk.
In sum, the Abrego Garcia affair is not just about one disputed image—it is emblematic of the urgent need for a tougher, more pragmatic approach to immigration and law enforcement, a stance absent from the current administration yet embodied by those urging accountability and security first.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.axios.com/2025/04/30/trump-says-he-could-bring-abrego-garcia-back-from-el-salvador – This article discusses President Trump’s interview with ABC’s Terry Moran, where he claimed he ‘could’ bring Kilmar Ábrego García back from El Salvador but did not commit to doing so. It also mentions the disputed photograph of Ábrego García’s knuckle tattoos, which Trump suggested indicated gang affiliation, despite doubts about the photo’s authenticity.
- https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senator-presses-trump-wrongly-detained-man-after-el-salvador-cites-us-funds-2025-04-29/ – This piece reports on Senator Chris Van Hollen’s criticism of President Trump regarding the wrongful deportation and continued detention of Kilmar Ábrego García. It highlights the Salvadoran government’s admission that the only reason for detaining Ábrego García is payments from the U.S. under a bilateral agreement, raising concerns about due process and constitutional rights.
- https://www.axios.com/2025/04/29/van-hollen-trump-abrego-garcia-letter – This article covers Senator Chris Van Hollen’s letter to President Trump, condemning the administration’s failure to comply with a Supreme Court order to facilitate the return of Kilmar Ábrego García. It emphasizes the constitutional and due process violations associated with the case.
- https://www.debate.com.mx/mundo/Trump-presume-tatuaje-manipulado-para-justificar-deportacion-ilegal-de-migrante-salvadoreno-20250420-0012.html – This article discusses President Trump’s presentation of a manipulated photograph showing Kilmar Ábrego García’s knuckle tattoos, which he claimed were evidence of MS-13 affiliation. It also mentions the doubts raised by analysts and politicians regarding the authenticity of the photo.
- https://www.wyff4.com/article/trump-criticizes-senator-meeting-with-kilmar-abrego-garcia/64526421 – This report details President Trump’s criticism of Senator Chris Van Hollen for meeting with Kilmar Ábrego García, who was wrongly deported to El Salvador. It includes Trump’s statements labeling Ábrego García as an ‘illegal alien,’ ‘MS-13’ gang member, and ‘foreign terrorist.’
- https://www.commondreams.org/news/house-dems-el-salvador-abrego-garcia – This article covers the visit of four House Democrats to El Salvador to secure the release of Kilmar Ábrego García, who was wrongfully deported. It highlights the administration’s attempts to portray Ábrego García as a dangerous MS-13 gang member, despite his family’s and lawyers’ denials of his gang affiliation.
- https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/trump-kilmar-abrego-garcia-ms-13-photoshop-b2742054.html – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative mentions a relatively recent television interview involving Donald Trump but contains outdated information about the Labour party, as there is no ‘Kier Starker’ or ‘New Labour’ currently in power. This discrepancy suggests a mix of current and outdated content.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
There are no direct quotes with specific dates or origins mentioned. The accusations and interactions are noted but lack direct citations, making it difficult to verify their original source.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Independent, which is generally a reliable and well-established publication, known for its independent viewpoint.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The claims about the disputed photograph and immigration policies are plausible but lack independent evidence. The broader narrative on immigration debates aligns with ongoing societal issues, though the mention of ‘Kier Starker’ and ‘New Labour’ indicates a disconnect from current political realities.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative combines elements of current political debates with outdated references. Without more precise information on the political figures mentioned and independent evidence supporting the claims about Abrego Garcia, the overall accuracy cannot be fully confirmed.
