An article by the Wall Street Journal on President Donald Trump cancelling a meeting with Vladimir Putin got lots of attention, but not for its in-depth reporting.
In the report published Thursday, which detailed Trump pulling out of a planned meeting because of Russia’s recent seizure of three Ukrainian naval ships, the Wall Street Journal referred to the president of Russia as “Vladimir Trump.”

The publication issued a correction later, citing an “editing mistake.”
WSJ correction pic.twitter.com/SwBBEo678G
— W.G. Dunlop (@wgdunlop) November 29, 2018
Easily 2018’s best correction https://t.co/t7I8aQHduC pic.twitter.com/SzTXUbmwzF
— Tom Gara (@tomgara) November 29, 2018
The Journal later seemed to have “corrected the correction,” according to MSNBC’s David Gura.
I am sad to report the @WSJ has corrected the correction. pic.twitter.com/bZoM5Iz4Su
— David Gura (@davidgura) November 30, 2018
One comment on Twitter asked Trump-hating comedian Kathy Griffin if she was “somehow behind this,” and got a quick response.
@kathygriffin why do I feel like you were somehow behind this
— Robbie Couch (@robbie_couch) November 29, 2018
Because I’m a goddamn patriot!
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) November 30, 2018
The gaffe and subsequent rectification provided endless fun on social media as readers pondered the “Freudian slip.”
This is amazing. pic.twitter.com/XcMYzwYvmQ
— David Gura (@davidgura) November 29, 2018
Correction of the year. Or maybe of the rest of time. https://t.co/Eu48dPcwkL
— Liz Sly (@LizSly) November 29, 2018
Freudian slip?
— FireSong (@Anerlin) November 29, 2018
“Erroneously” pic.twitter.com/7JOpaX252G
— kebab (@dailydonerkebab) November 29, 2018
One heck of a correction from the WSJ today pic.twitter.com/4YoNJfDcvk
— Roberto Ferdman (@robferdman) November 29, 2018
Honest mistake ?
— Chris Falco (@ChrisFalco1126) November 30, 2018
Shows the bias they swear isn’t there
— stevemccray (@Buck_McCray) November 29, 2018
Reminder that the @WSJ accidentally identified Vladimir Putin as Vladimir Trump in an article earlier today and had to issue a correction. Still the best thing I’ve seen all day.
— Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) November 30, 2018
Vlad took his last name. Romantic.
— David F. Soros (@WiselinePRT) November 30, 2018
You sure it was an accident?
— NotDeadYet (@bcallen22) November 30, 2018
Kind of like the WaPo accidentally put the news about Kavanaugh returning to coaching girls’ basketball in the Public Safety section.
— David Jensen (@Seattle_Dave) November 30, 2018
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