A political satire game where the facts insist on being involved

Welcome to Real or Fake, the only political quiz show where the rules are simple:
If it sounds unbelievable, it might be true.
If it sounds too perfect, it might also be true.
And if it sounds completely made up… please consult the footnotes.

Today’s contestant: Wes Moore, governor of Maryland, Rhodes Scholar, Army veteran, bestselling author, and—depending on the year—several other things that may or may not have happened.

Your job is not to fact-check.
Your job is to feel confused.

Let’s play.

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ROUND 1: Military Heroics

Statement A:
Wes Moore once listed himself as a Bronze Star recipient on an elite White House application—even though the medal had not been awarded yet—then didn’t correct interviewers for years when they praised him for receiving it.

Statement B:
Wes Moore once parachuted into Afghanistan carrying only a copy of The Federalist Papers and a pre-written acceptance speech for an award he would someday receive.

One of these is fake. One of these is real.
Clue: One eventually became real 18 years later.

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ROUND 2: Oxford, But Make It Cinematic

Statement A:
Wes Moore claimed to be working toward a doctorate at Oxford University, described himself as a foremost expert on radical Islam, and cited multiple publications—despite only having completed a master’s degree.

Statement B:
Wes Moore secretly taught a seminar at Oxford titled Advanced Radical Islam for Future Governors, attended exclusively by MI6 interns and one confused American.

Hint: Oxford confirmed one degree. The rest exists mainly in vibes.

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ROUND 3: Baltimore Origins

Statement A:
Some official bios and book descriptions once said Wes Moore was born in Baltimore, despite records showing he was born elsewhere and spent most of his childhood in New York.

Statement B:
Wes Moore was not born in Baltimore but insists Baltimore was born in him, spiritually, emotionally, and possibly retroactively.

This round is tricky.
One statement is factually disputed.
The other is philosophically undefeated.

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ROUND 4: Athletic Glory

Statement A:
Wes Moore claimed induction into the “Maryland College Football Hall of Fame,” an organization that does not appear to exist.

Statement B:
Wes Moore invented the Maryland College Football Hall of Fame, inducted himself, and immediately shut it down due to budget constraints.

One is satire. One is paperwork.

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BONUS ROUND: The Pattern Question

Statement A:
Every major résumé discrepancy traces back to a single 2006 application written by a 27-year-old Wes Moore fresh from war, ambition, and Microsoft Word.

Statement B:
Wes Moore has continued inventing new achievements weekly, including winning a Nobel Prize in Community Engagement and discovering Annapolis.

Choose carefully.
Mainstream outlets have opinions.

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FINAL SCORECARD

If you found yourself thinking:

• “That can’t be real”… it might be.
• “That sounds exaggerated”… check the year.
• “Why would anyone embellish something already impressive?”… welcome to politics.

Governor Moore says these were honest mistakes, youthful ambition, or administrative confusion. Critics say it looks like résumé inflation. Supporters say scrutiny itself is the scandal. Satirists say thank you for the material.

Final Question (No Multiple Choice):
Is Wes Moore a man whose story grew larger than necessary—or a victim of a political culture that punishes imperfection retroactively?

Real or fake?
You decide.