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Actor Tweets Bin Laden News Before President Obama
8 Nov
Summary
- Actor received call about Osama bin Laden's death before Obama's announcement
- Tweeted about it 25 minutes before the president's televised address
- Remained secretive about his source
In May 2011, actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson found himself in an unusual position - he knew about Osama bin Laden's death before the President of the United States made the official announcement. According to Johnson, he received a call from a "friend of a friend" who relayed the news that bin Laden, the founder of al-Qaeda, had been killed.
Johnson was told that President Barack Obama would be making a speech about it in 20 minutes. However, when that 20-minute window passed and the president had still not addressed the nation, Johnson decided to tweet about it, writing: "Just got word that will shock the world - Land of the free...home of the brave DAMN PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!" This tweet came about 25 minutes before Obama's televised address confirming bin Laden's death.
Afterward, Johnson received a second call informing him that the president had not yet spoken. The actor remained tight-lipped about his source, saying he had "friends in high places and low places" who were proud to share the information with him. Johnson claimed he thought it was appropriate to tweet his patriotic message without revealing too many details.
