A viral Facebook post claiming that US President Donald Trump warned Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. over the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte has been debunked. No credible reports support the allegation of any such warning or accusation of violating international agreements.
A Rappler fact check clarifies that there is no evidence of US President Donald Trump issuing a 'stern warning' to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. regarding the March 2025 arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. The claim originated from a Facebook post by the page 'GAP Entertainment' on January 6, reposted on January 14, garnering over 56,000 views on the first and 157,000 on the second.
The post's video features photos of Trump and Marcos with a text overlay: “The Trump administration issued a stern warning to Marcos, accusing it of violating agreements and undermining regional stability regarding the illegal arrest of Rodrigo Duterte. Officials said continued actions would lead to serious consequences.” However, no official statements from the White House or the ICC exist on this matter.
In reality, Trump and Marcos maintain a cordial relationship. During Marcos' White House visit in July 2025, Trump described him as a “respectable” and “great leader,” praising his administration favorably compared to the previous one. Duterte, during his presidency, often questioned US-Philippine ties, stating: “I am no American puppet. I am the president of a sovereign country and I am not answerable to anyone except the Filipino people.”
Duterte's arrest stems from charges of crimes against humanity related to his war on drugs. He has been detained at the ICC since his arrest, lost an appeal for interim release, and his confirmation of charges hearing was delayed over health concerns. A panel of medical experts, however, determined he can stand trial with accommodations such as regular breaks and nutritious food.
This is one of several debunked claims linking Trump to Duterte, including fake statements of support or intervention.
