A recent resurgence of an eight-year-old image depicting actor Chris Evans signing an object resembling a missile has ignited heated debate online, prompting the actor to issue a clarification. The viral image, which initially circulated during a period of heightened tensions in the Middle East, erroneously led to accusations that Evans was signing an Israeli bomb. However, the actor has since taken to social media to debunk these claims, revealing that the object in question was actually an inert training or display item used during a USO tour in 2016.
Taking to his Instagram story, Evans stated, “There is a lot of misinformation surrounding this image. This image was taken during a USO tour in 2016.” He further clarified that he was accompanied by a group of actors, athletes, and musicians “to show appreciation for our service members,” and emphasized that the object he was signing was not “a bomb, or a missile, or a weapon of any kind.”
The actor’s clarification comes in response to a wave of accusations that he had signed an Israeli bomb. The image had previously been circulated at a time when an Israeli airstrike in Gaza had reportedly resulted in numerous casualties. However, Evans’s statement and the screenshot he provided from a 2024 Agence France-Presse article substantiate his assertions that the object was not a weapon.
The USO, a non-profit organization that provides entertainment and support to U.S. military members and their families, has a long history of organizing tours featuring celebrities. These tours provide a valuable opportunity for service members to interact with entertainers and express their gratitude for their service and sacrifice.
