President Donald Trump has authorized the Oregon National Guard to deploy to Portland, Oregon, amidst growing tensions surrounding local protests and immigration issues. However, recent claims on social media suggesting the presence of military tanks in the city have been debunked.
A viral clip circulating on social media depicts an armored vehicle driving past a Burger King restaurant in Portland, leading some users to assert that military tanks were indeed patrolling the streets. However, this particular video was filmed in August 2025, well before Trump’s deployment orders on September 27.
The video shows an M3A1 Stuart tank from World War II, owned by a local resident named Steve Greenberg. He regularly participates in events with the tank to honor veterans and confirmed that the October 1 clip merely depicts his return of the vehicle to its storage location on 82nd Avenue.
Greenberg expressed disbelief over the mischaracterization of the footage, stating, “It’s unbelievable that people will do what they want to do,” referring to the misleading narratives being shared online. He noted that friends had alerted him to the clips that erroneously linked his vehicle to the National Guard’s deployment.
The situation in Portland has recently intensified, with protesters intermittently blocking access to Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities. The unrest echoes earlier clashes that occurred during the summer of 2020, following the police killing of unarmed Black man George Floyd.
Despite the ongoing tensions, local leaders, including Portland Mayor Kieth Wilson, have criticized the decision to deploy troops. Wilson described the military presence as “unwanted, unneeded, and un-American,” and local and state authorities took legal action against Trump over what they deem an overreach of power.
Confirming the misrepresentation of the video, Leslie Reed, deputy director of public affairs for the Oregon Military Department, stated on October 1, “Our Oregon National Guard Soldiers are not driving tanks in the Portland area.” This statement underscores the disconnect between perceived military action and the reality on the ground.
The continued circulation of the misidentified tank video reflects broader issues of misinformation during politically charged periods. As the deployment of approximately 200 troops is expected to commence soon, scrutiny over militarization in urban areas is likely to intensify, raising questions about the impact on community relations.
Local news articles have verified the geographical context of the original footage, further clarifying the circumstances surrounding the vehicle’s appearance. Using Google Street View, the original location of the video was confirmed to be just outside the Burger King at 3830 SE 82nd Ave, with specific details linking the streetlight and signage visible in the clip.
As the political landscape in Oregon and nationally continues to shift, it remains essential for the public to distinguish between credible information and misleading claims, particularly in times of unrest. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fact-checking and responsible sharing of content on social media platforms.
image source from：yahoo
