Hoax – General James C. “Jim” Slife was allegedly tried and sentenced to death for treason at Guantánamo.
Analysis
A supposed news story claiming that U.S. Air Force General James C. “Jim” Slife was sentenced to death for treason has been circulating on social media, especially in conspiracy-leaning channels.
According to the viral content, the sentence would have been handed down by a military court at Guantánamo Bay, where he was allegedly accused of crimes like insurrection and mutiny.
The sensationalist narrative, filled with elements typical of conspiracy theories, has been widely shared by far-right aligned profiles as an attempt to justify claims of a “purge” within the military’s top ranks. Read excerpts of the content (linked to a far-right website):
Former Air Force chief who wanted to kill citizen militia in 2013 sentenced for treason and condemned to death by hanging
The U.S. Navy JAG Corps and the Military Commissions Office at Guantánamo Bay convicted former Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, James C. “Jim” Slife, of mutiny, insurrection, and other serious crimes on Tuesday afternoon.
Military officers serving as jurors, or panel members, recommended the harshest penalty: death.
Fact-check
Despite going viral, the hoax mixes imprecise dates, mentions of secret courts, and accusations with no backing from official or journalistic sources. Three questions help clarify the case: 1) Who is General James C. “Jim” Slife? 2) Was U.S. Air Force General James C. “Jim” Slife sentenced to death? 3) Are there other fake news from the same source?
Who is General James C. “Jim” Slife?
James C. Slife is a high-ranking officer in the United States Air Force. He served as commander of Air Force Special Operations and was later appointed Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force in 2022. At no time has he been credibly accused of criminal activity or legal proceedings.
Was U.S. Air Force General James C. “Jim” Slife sentenced to death?
No. The claim that Slife was tried and sentenced to death at Guantánamo is completely false. There is no record in reputable U.S. press or in any official statement from the Pentagon or Department of Defense confirming the story. Treason is a serious accusation and, if true, would be widely reported. This is a fabrication with no factual basis from a site that regularly spreads right-wing fake news.
Are there other fake news from the same source?
Yes. The same website that invented this false conviction story has also spread lies such as that Vladimir Putin attacked Ukraine because of “new world order labs” (see here) or that Judge Sonia Sotomayor was arrested by the military (check here).
Conclusion
The accusation that General James C. “Jim” Slife was sentenced to death for treason in the U.S. is entirely baseless. The story originated from a website known for spreading fake news and lacks any support from official or credible journalistic sources. It is yet another hoax created to spread disinformation about the military.
Fake news ❌
PS: This article is a suggestion from readers of Boatos.org. If you want to suggest a topic to Boatos.org, contact us via email at [email protected] or WhatsApp (link here: https://wa.me/556192755610)