Fake Der Spiegel cover falsely links German Chancellor to Jeffrey Epstein
A fake image is spreading online, claiming to be the cover of Der Spiegel's German edition. The doctored version shows Jeffrey Epstein alongside high-profile figures, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The fabricated headline reads: 'Epstein's Club: Did Merz Hide Epstein in Germany?'—a claim the magazine never published.
The original Der Spiegel cover, released on February 5, 2026, featured Epstein with other prominent individuals. However, it did not include Merz, and its actual headline was: 'Epstein's Club: How the Global Elite Rallied Around a Sex Offender.' The fake version was created by editing the authentic cover.
No evidence exists linking Merz to Epstein's files or visits to his island. Despite this, the manipulated image was shared with a post suggesting Germans fear Merz may have sheltered Epstein. The claim has no factual basis. Online searches confirm *Der Spiegel* never published a cover featuring Merz alongside Epstein. No statements from the magazine addressing the fake cover have been found.
The altered image falsely connects Merz to Epstein's case. The original Der Spiegel cover did not include the chancellor, and no credible sources support the claim. The fake headline and edited photo remain unchallenged by any official response from the magazine.
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