Clint Eastwood outraged by Courier: Interview is a fake!”

Clint Eastwood outraged by Courier: Interview is a fake!”

Clint Eastwood is at the center of a scandal surrounding an alleged interview with the Austrian newspaper Kurier. On June 3, 2025, the 95-year-old vehemently said that the newspaper had foisted a fictitious interview on him. In his response, Eastwood called the conversation "fake" and denied ever speaking to the courier. He accused the paper of fraud and thus questioned the credibility of the publication. The incident became known on the occasion of his 95th birthday, and the article, which falsely quoted Eastwood criticizing Hollywood's reliance on remakes and franchises, quickly spread online. This was done through both social media and numerous other reporting, which hugely increased the reach of the piece, while the Courier has a circulation of around 100,000 copies.

The General Secretary of the FPÖ, Christian Hafenecker, reacted immediately to Eastwood's allegations and demanded consequences if the accusation of forgery was confirmed. He is calling for a review of the press funding that the Kurier received last year amounting to almost 3.9 million euros, as these are tied to quality criteria. The courier, on the other hand, spoke of a misunderstanding. According to their account, the interview was not conducted directly with Eastwood, but with one of his confidants or spokesmen, which could cause damage to the newspaper's image, which is considered to be considerable. Eastwood confirmed in an official statement that he had not recently interviewed any journalist, including the Courier.

The Dangers of Misinformation

In the midst of this scandal, Eastwood also experienced a different kind of publicity when he was recently the target of a so-called "death hoax." Reports of his alleged death on June 1, 2025 went viral after a Facebook page titled "R.I.P. Clint Eastwood" generated nearly a million likes. However, this report turned out to be false. His representatives confirmed on June 2 that Eastwood was alive and well. This type of misinformation has not only frightened fans, but also sparked a discussion about responsibility in media reporting.

According to a survey, 91% of participants no longer found the rumors about Eastwood's death funny, and many criticized the sensationalist reporting that encourages such claims. Eastwood's case highlights not only the challenges of combating the spread of fake news on digital media, but also how quickly information can spread - often without fact-checking. Ironically, the spread of the fake interview report and death hoax was a serious reminder of today's standards in journalism.

What is particularly worrying is the fact that such misinformation is attracting public attention at a time when the media landscape is being shaken by the spread of fake news. Media outlets like the Courier must now ask themselves how they can restore their credibility while Eastwood's reputation as a renowned actor and director hangs in the balance.