13 News Stories That Sounded Fake—But Were Completely True
These bizarre headlines seemed too outrageous to be real — yet every single one of them actually happened.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
Sometimes, the truth really is stranger than fiction. From animal elections to airborne escapes, these shocking news stories had people doing double takes. Here are 13 jaw-dropping tales that made headlines and left readers stunned, and they’re all 100% true.
1. A Goat Was Elected Mayor in a U.S. Town
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In 2019, a small town in Vermont made headlines when a 3-year-old Nubian goat named Lincoln was elected mayor. The election was part of a fundraiser and community event, but the goat genuinely took office, complete with a swearing-in ceremony.
2. A Man Built a Rocket to Prove Earth is Flat
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“Mad” Mike Hughes, a self-taught engineer and flat-Earth conspiracy theorist, actually built and launched a steam-powered rocket in 2018. His goal? To prove the Earth is flat with his own eyes.
3. A Woman Gave Birth in a Chick-fil-A Bathroom
Malhar Patel on Unsplash
In 2018, a woman went into labor and gave birth in a San Antonio Chick-fil-A restroom. The baby arrived so fast that the father had to assist before medics even got there.
4. A Town Was Overrun by Tumbleweeds
Luismi Sánchez on Unsplash
In 2018, Victorville, California, was buried under massive piles of tumbleweeds. Strong winds rolled thousands of the prickly invaders through the town, blocking driveways and front doors.
5. A Parrot Was Detained for Warning Drug Dealers of Police
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A parrot in Brazil made headlines in 2019 after shouting “Mom, the police!” when officers approached a drug house. Authorities arrested the bird for being part of a narcotics operation.
6. A Man Tried to Cross the Atlantic in a Bubble
Mark Bar on Wikimedia Commons
In 2014, Reza Baluchi, a long-distance runner and adventurer, attempted to travel from Florida to Bermuda in a floating bubble. The human hamster wheel-like contraption bobbed on water and had supplies for days. The Coast Guard intercepted him after he activated a distress beacon.
7. A Woman Climbed Into the Lion Enclosure at the Bronx Zoo
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In 2019, a woman trespassed into a lion’s habitat at New York’s Bronx Zoo to “dance” with the animal. She even posted a video of the bizarre encounter online. Miraculously, the lion didn’t attack.
8. A Town Installed Singing Trash Cans
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In Sweden, the city of Malmö installed trash bins that moan and talk suggestively whenever garbage is tossed in. The idea was to encourage cleaner streets using cheeky fun.
9. A Burglar Fell Asleep on the Couch Mid-Robbery
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In 2020, a Minnesota man broke into a home, then promptly passed out on the couch. The homeowners found him sleeping peacefully the next morning and called the cops.
10. Pigeons Were Found Wearing Cowboy Hats
Vladislav Nikonov on Unsplash
In Las Vegas, multiple pigeons were spotted wearing tiny cowboy hats in 2019. No one knew who put them on, but a local animal rescue group started a campaign to catch and help the birds.
11. A Man Lived Undetected in a Chicago Airport for 3 Months
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In early 2021, a California man scared to fly during the pandemic hid inside O’Hare International Airport for three months. He used a misplaced badge, slept in terminals, and survived on food from strangers.
12. NASA Accidentally Taped Over the Moon Landing Footage
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NASA officials admitted in 2006 that the original moon landing tapes from 1969 were likely erased. They were trying to reuse tape stock during a data shortage in the 1980s.
13. A Woman Won the Lottery—Twice in One Day
Emiliano Vittoriosi on Unsplash
Talk about lucky — Deborah Brown of Virginia bought 20 identical lottery tickets on the same day in 2019. All 20 won the top prize of $5,000 each, netting her $100,000 total.