Conspiracy theories often flourish because they promise access to “secret knowledge.” Believing that there’s something more behind official narratives gives a sense of control or insight, especially in a world flooded with conflicting information. In this way, the Castro–Trudeau story operates not as journalism but as modern folklore — a symbolic story about power, rebellion, and legacy.
Major fact-checking organizations — including Reuters, PolitiFact, and Snopes — have debunked the rumor multiple times. Canadian and Cuban government archives confirm that the Trudeaus’ first encounter with Fidel Castro occurred five years after Justin’s birth. Yet online, the corrections never achieve the same virality as the original falsehood. This is a broader problem with digital media: false stories spread faster than true ones, especially when they appeal to emotion, humor, or outrage.
