Tuesday marked April Fools’ Day, a time when many enjoy playing pranks on family and friends. In recent years, this lighthearted tradition has evolved, with brands and even some news outlets participating in the playful deceptions.
To keep you informed about what was real and what was merely a joke, Yahoo News highlights some of the latest viral pranks shared by media outlets, government social media accounts, and celebrities this year.
Warren Buffett did not acquire Tesla for $1 trillion in cash
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway did not purchase Elon Musk’s Tesla for $1 trillion cash, despite a self-proclaimed “satirical” article released by GoBankingRates for April Fools’ Day.
The article humorously suggested that Buffett told his investors, “While I’ve publicly maintained that I don’t understand tech companies, I’ve secretly been driving a Cybertruck around my Nebraska neighborhood at night.”
In reality, while Musk has encouraged Buffett to invest in Tesla, Buffett seems uninterested in the company. During the 2023 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting, he referred to Musk as a “brilliant, brilliant guy,” but added, “We don’t want to compete with Elon in many areas.”
The late Charlie Munger, Buffett’s long-time associate and vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, also remarked, “We don’t want that much failure.”
Tiger Woods is not playing in the Masters next week
Fifteen-time major champion Tiger Woods posted on X Tuesday, announcing, “A few weeks after rupturing my left Achilles, the sleeping in a hyperbaric chamber plus the explosive lifts my doctors and trainers have me ready to play the Masters next week! Can’t wait! See y’all on the course.”
However, Woods is not expected to return to professional golf until at least 2026. Golfweek clarified that the only engagement Woods has for next week is the Champions Dinner at Augusta National.
Later, Woods added, “P.S. April Fools, my Achilles is still a mess.”
DOGE is not sending $1 million stimulus checks to Republicans
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is not issuing $1 million stimulus checks to every Republican in the country, despite another humorous April Fools’ piece from GoBankingRates.
DOGE isn’t sending stimulus checks to anyone, irrespective of their political beliefs. Nonetheless, both Musk and President Trump have suggested that DOGE has significantly reduced government costs since its creation in January. DOGE’s website claims to have saved $140 billion, though a Yahoo News analysis revealed only $35 billion in detailed savings.
In February, Trump indicated that the administration might allocate 20% of DOGE’s savings as stimulus checks to Americans. This idea originated with businessman James Fishback, who proposed a $5,000 “DOGE dividend.” Musk responded, “Will check with the President.”
It remains uncertain whether Americans will ever see a stimulus check or dividend from DOGE’s purported savings anytime soon. According to the Associated Press, budget experts consider such checks highly improbable.
New Jersey is probably joking about ‘Mount Jonas’
New Jersey’s official Instagram account humorously announced this morning that state officials have finalized plans to construct Mount Jonas — a replica of Mount Rushmore featuring the faces of the three Jonas brothers, Kevin, Joe, and Nick, who were raised in the state.
“I approve this message,” Kevin Jonas quipped.
Elon Musk is not giving free Teslas to members of Congress
No, Musk is not giving away $43,000 Teslas to all 535 members of Congress, as GoBankingRates jokingly suggested in a separate article.
In fact, a growing number of prominent individuals are abandoning their Teslas due to Musk’s recent conduct and his involvement with the government, including Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat.
Conversely, Trump has endorsed Tesla and announced during a photo opportunity outside the White House on March 11 that he would purchase a Tesla to support Musk.
New York City is not instituting 1 mph walking speed limits
The official Instagram account of New York City government posted a fictitious announcement claiming that a 1 mph walking speed limit would be implemented throughout the entire city.
“It’ll reduce pedestrian-on-tourist collisions and enhance New Yorkers’ mental health,” the city humorously captioned one of the images shared in the post.
Duolingo is not cohosting a 5-year cruise
While the promotional video for Duolingo’s fictional five-year Carnival cruise appears incredibly entertaining, it is entirely fictitious.
But just imagine touring 195 countries with the app’s beloved green owl mascot, Duo, as the captain. What could possibly go wrong?
Yahoo launches a Touch Grass Keyboard — and it’s a real gag gift
Yahoo is promoting an “over-innovated” product to satirize the ever-expanding tech industry. The Touch Grass Keyboard is marketed as a keyboard covered in real grass, referencing the internet meme suggesting that chronically online individuals need to go outside and “touch grass.”
While it is a gag gift, it was genuinely available for purchase on Yahoo’s TikTok Shop this Tuesday!
