Photo of Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Watering Tree in Rain: Fact Check

Story: 

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Watering Tree in the Rain

Other Versions

Justin Trudeau Waters a Tree in the Rain

Fact Check:

A picture in circulation on social media sites like Facebook comics a photograph showing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Watering a Tree in the Rain, under an Umbrella held by a guard. The picture that bears the text ‘Without Government Who would Water Trees in the Rain?‘ is in fact a fake one made by digitally altering a picture that does not have the Canadian Prime Minister.

Canadian PM Watering Tree in Rain – Fake Photograph

On 27th Jan. 2017 Facebook page Justin Trudno posted the picture in question suggesting the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Waters a Tree in the Rain. The post soon garnered thousands of shares and became popular on social media:

However, Justin Trudno is a satire page about Canada PM and the photograph is an edited one. The original photograph in fact shows Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko watering the plant.

Planting Tradition in Belarus

The original picture also appears online often in a comical sense suggesting they are watering the plant even though it is raining. The picture along with couple of others appeared on the official website of the President of the Republic of Belarus president.gov.by. When the Turkmenistan President visited Belarus, he and Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko actually ‘planted and watered’ a tree on 11 May 2016 on the Alley of Distinguished Guests near the Palace of Independence in Minsk (see the other pictures). Since it started raining during the planting of the tree, the guards were holding umbrellas above them. Moreover, newly planted trees in general need to be watered, as light rain water of the kind seen in picture may not reach the bottom surface of the plant due to its spread branches.

It’s a tradition for the heads of states visiting Belarus to plant a tree. It happens as a symbol of longevity and loyalty between nations. Back in June 2015 when Indian President Pranab Mukherjee visited Belarus, he and Alexander Lukashenko planted a blue spruce at the Alley of Honoured Guests.

Hoax or Fact:

Hoax.