WikiRumors: 4 bizarre Julian Assange myths

GlobalPost

Ecuador offered WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange asylum this morning. While we mull over what this means for political relations between Ecuador and the UK, let's take a moment to focus on the man himself.

Here are four rumors that keep popping up about Assange. Ecuador, consider yourself warned.

1. He hates cats. 

Assange is apparently not a cat guy (crazy, an Internet man who hates cat videos). According to The New York Times, Daniel Domscheit-Berg, who ran WikiLeaks with Assange until the two had a falling-out in 2010, claims that Assange stayed in his home for several months, uninvited, and abused his cat.

2. He loves to boogie. 

Assange has been known to get down on the dance floor. This may be the one rumor we can prove with video:

While hiding out in the Ecuadorean embassy, friends have reportedly told Assange to blast his favorite tunes and dance around his room for exercise. (May we suggest learning the "Single Ladies" dance?)

3. He may be a ninja. 

Assange has reportedly claimed he escaped several assassination attempts on his life. He may be telling the truth on this. In a 2010 interview Tom Flanagan, a former senior adviser to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, said that President Barack Obama "should put out a contract and maybe use a drone or something." That same year, Fox News analyst Bob Beckel went on air and said, "A dead man can't leak stuff. This guy's a traitor, he's treasonous, and he has broken every law of the United States. And I'm not for the death penalty, so…there's only one way to do it: illegally shoot the son of a bitch."

Perhaps Saturday Night Live was on to something:

4. Assange was offered a hair modeling contract. 

OK, I made this one up, but maybe Pantene should think about this. 

Click for larger image

Invest in independent global news

The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!