When a Lie Travels: The Viral Rumor That Russia Ordered Brittney Griner to Take a Gender DNA Test

1. The Viral Claim and Its Origins

Scrolling through X (Twitter) in early August 2022, users encountered a startling claim: that Brittney Griner—WNBA star jailed in Russia—was allegedly forced to take a DNA test to determine whether she’d be confined to a men’s or women’s prison. One viral tweet showed a mock CNN chyron declaring: “DNA test ordered by officials to determine male or female prison.”

That image spread widely, shared as if a breaking official report, accompanied by suggestive commentary about Griner’s body, height, and voice. Some appeared to interpret that as an affront, fueling speculation about her gender identity.

2. Swift Debunking by Journalists and Fact‑Checkers

Within days, fact‑checking outlets like Newsweek, Check Your Fact, and Lead Stories rejected the claim as entirely fabricated—citing zero credible evidence or acknowledgment from any major media or source. CNN itself confirmed no such segment ever aired, pointing to the fabricated chyron as a widely circulated hoax Law Blog+1News+1News+4Check Your Fact+4Law Blog+4The Times of India.

Newsweek summarized clearly: the so‑called DNA test claim was a “mean‑spirited joke” or disinformation, with no grounding in fact. There were no records anywhere reporting such a humiliation occurred under Griner’s detention NewsweekNews.

3. Why This Rumor Resonated—and Why It Spread

Several factors made this rumor go viral:

Griner’s Physicality and Gender Bias: At 6 ft 8 in and a powerful presence on the court, Griner has long faced rumors and insensitive jokes about her body. In 2015, she confronted these head‑on in ESPN’s Body Issue, noting how people accused her of “tucking” or hiding her femininity—and she declared sheembraces her flat physique and her individuality News.

Mistrust of Russian Legal System: Due to the opaque nature of Griner’s trial and sentencing—alongside Russia’s authoritarian reputation—many online were quick to believe that more bizarre violations might have occurred, even if unsubstantiated.

Moral Outrage and Shock Value: The image played on fears that a detained American could be subjected to humiliating tests just for being herself—and the more sensational the rumor, the more shareable it became.

4. The Real Story: Griner’s Case and Diplomacy

In truth, Brittney Griner was arrested at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport on February 17, 2022, carrying medically prescribed cannabis oil cartridges—a substance legal in Arizona but banned in Russia. She pleaded guilty in July, calling it an “honest mistake,” and was handed a nine‑year prison sentence in early August, along with a fine Check Your Fact+15reddit.com+15reddit.com+15Newsreddit.com+8en.wikipedia.org+8reddit.com+8.

Amid mounting pressure and international attention, the U.S. State Department labeled Griner as “wrongfully detained”, launching private negotiations that eventually led to a prisoner swap. On December 8, 2022, Griner was exchanged for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, returning home after roughly ten months of imprisonment Check Your Fact+3en.wikipedia.org+3Newsweek+3.

None of the official documents, media coverage, or court filings mentioned any gender‑based DNA testing or evaluative procedure.

5. Historical Precedent: Griner’s Prior Encounters with Gender Rumors

This rumor was not new to Griner. From her Baylor University days into her WNBA career, she has repeatedly addressed unfounded whispers about her sex or identity. In the 2015 Body Issue, she said:

“I’ve heard, ‘Oh, she’s not a female, she’s a male. I’ve been told… they thought I was tucking.’ … Let me show that I embrace being different.” reddit.com+4News+4The Times of India+4

In interviews, she has emphasized that she never felt “born the wrong sex,” and rejected rigid labels—authenticity and flexibility being central to her identity and message.

6. Community Response: From Outrage to Discernment

Online comments reflect intense reaction:

“This is Russian propaganda using law as leverage.”
“Using her body as power play! We must check our facts.”
“No one credible is reporting this. It’s just another cruel rumor.”
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Subreddits such as r/wnba and r/conspiracy addressed it. Users elaborated how disinformation often leans on bias and sensationalism. Some notes:

“The claim is absurd—Russia never reported any such test. This is probably disinformation.”
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Many called for caution: don’t amplify rumors without verification—even when they align with preconceptions or anger.

7. Broader Significance: Why Care About a Fake DNA Rumor?

a) Weaponization of Identity Misinformation

Rumors targeting someone’s body or gender identity—even if false—can be used to shame or silence public figures. For historically marginalized groups, this is particularly dangerous.

b) Credibility in Media and Information Integrity

When fabricated content mimics professional news outlets (like fake CNN chyron), it erodes trust in authentic journalism. Fact-checking becomes critical to safeguard public discourse.

c) Intersection of Sport, Gender, and Geopolitics

Griner’s experience sits at the convergence of sports fame, gender boundaries, and global politics. The rumor tapped into layered beliefs about her identity, power dynamics abroad, and vulnerability of athletes overseas.

8. The Takeaway: Be Skeptical, Be Kind, Seek Truth

Verify claims, especially viral ones, using trusted sources and reputable fact-checkers.

Recognize how rumors can reinforce biases—particularly against Black, LGBTQ+ icons like Griner—fueled by historical prejudice and sensationalism.

Push back on disinformation thoughtfully; not every shocking claim is true.

Support individuals like Griner not with speculation, but with solidarity rooted in respect and verified facts.