In the wake of President Donald Trump’s recent authorization for the Oregon National Guard to deploy to Portland, social media posts have erroneously linked clips of tanks driving through the city to this military action.
Contrary to these claims, the armored vehicle seen in an online video is a World War II era combat vehicle owned by a local resident, not a military tank deployed by the National Guard.
The video circulating widely on platforms like Threads, X, and Facebook shows an armored vehicle passing a Burger King restaurant, and it was filmed back in August 2025, well before Trump’s deployment order issued on September 27.
As discussions about the deployment continue, Portland’s Mayor, Kieth Wilson, voiced strong opposition, labeling the federal action as “unwanted, unneeded, and un-American.”
State and local officials have since filed a lawsuit against President Trump, arguing that the federal military deployment represents an overreach of authority.
Amidst ongoing protests in Portland, including demonstrations against immigration policies at local Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, tensions between federal and local authorities have resurfaced.
Despite the unrest, Leslie Reed, deputy director of public affairs for the Oregon Military Department, stated on October 1 that the Oregon National Guard is not deploying tanks in the Portland area.
Confirmation from AFP revealed that the viral tank video predates Trump’s decision by more than a month.
The original clip has been traced back to an account on TikTok, which shows the vehicle during a local event.
The owner of the tank, identified as Steve Greenberg, noted that he regularly attends events with his M3A1 Stuart tank to honor veterans.
In a statement, he remarked on the misattribution of his tank to the military deployment, expressing disbelief over the connection.
Greenberg explained that the footage simply captured him returning the tank to its storage location and emphasized that the misinterpretation is a product of sensationalist social media activity.
Geolocation analysis of the video identified its setting just outside the Burger King at 3830 SE 82nd Ave, further debunking any association with the National Guard.
Characteristics of the surrounding area, such as a street sign indicating directions to Ross Island Bridge and a streetlight next to the restaurant sign, helped verify the video’s location.
With this clarification, it becomes clear that while President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard may raise discussions of federal intervention in local matters, the imagery of tanks circulating on social media contributes to misunderstandings rather than illuminating the situation at hand.
As the story unfolds, it highlights the need for discernment in verifying the accuracy of information shared online.
image source from：yahoo
