Fact Check: Viral Video Falsely Claims NewsGuard Said Democrats Orchestrated Attempted Attack On FlyDubai Flight FZ1073

Short answer: A viral video claiming that NewsGuard reported the U.S. Democratic Party orchestrated an attempted terrorist attack on FlyDubai Flight FZ1073 is false. NewsGuard told Lead Stories it did not publish such a report and said the clip appears tied to a Russian disinformation effort. There is no evidence linking Democrats to the incident.

What Was Claimed

On Oct. 2, 2026, the X account @Irishgirl2_4 posted a message and an accompanying video alleging that "The U.S. Democratic Party has launched a media campaign aimed at accusing Israel of orchestrating a terrorist attack aboard a #Flydubaiflight on September 30," tagging multiple news organizations and showing a screenshot purporting to be from NewsGuard.

What We Found

NewsGuard confirmed to Lead Stories that it never produced the report shown in the viral clip. The organization said the video and image do not reflect any NewsGuard reporting and that the material appears linked to a Russian disinformation campaign.

Independent checks by fact-checkers and NewsGuard found no evidence that NewsGuard issued the alleged report or that the U.S. Democratic Party was involved in the Sept. 30 incident. The viral clip appears to be manipulated or fabricated to falsely attribute the claim to a reputable media watchdog.

@Irishgirl2_4

What Actually Happened On Sept. 30

A FlyDubai flight (scheduled from Dubai to Tel Aviv) carrying 174 people made an emergency diversion and landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the co-pilot reportedly stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the aircraft. According to reports, the jet rapidly descended from roughly 33,000 feet to about 17,000 feet within about a minute before the wounded captain was able to open the cockpit door. A passenger and a crew member helped subdue the attacker, other crew members regained control, and the plane landed safely. The co-pilot was arrested and authorities are investigating his motive.

Why This Matters

Misattributing false claims to trusted organizations like NewsGuard can amplify disinformation and sow political division. This case illustrates how edited clips and screenshots can be used to falsely assign credibility to baseless claims.

Bottom Line

The viral video is false. NewsGuard denied issuing the alleged report and said the clip likely stems from a disinformation campaign. There is no verified evidence connecting the Democratic Party to the attempted attack on FlyDubai Flight FZ1073.