By Ricardo Lezama 
When the news of Noam Chomsky’s death first spread across social media, the reactions were mixed due to confusion on its veracity. Initially, an outpouring of support was emitted from the global left.
Chomsky is venerated as a stalwart of linguistics and philosophy; Chomsky has long been a figure of influence and intrigue. But perhaps what captured the attention of many was the way the news of his death unfolded, first with a tribute by Jerry Adams that sparked confusion. Subsequently, tweets and lack of news reports caused many to caution on full-fledged grief.
Eventually, Valeria Chomsky was able to verify to AP that the reports were false.
According to Time Magazine, Chomsky had dealt with a stroke about a week earlier and was recovering in a Brazil hospital. That, however, was not a full-blown piece on a more serious incident. Indeed, Jacobin and the New Statesmen made tributes, but subsequently made these unavailable.
2: A Debated Death
RIP Noam Chomsky.
— Peter Stockwell (@PeterJStockwell) June 18, 2024
Modern linguistics moved beyond his ideas, but there is no question that modern linguistics would barely exist if it wasn’t for his work in the mid-20th century pic.twitter.com/iBkmLNspA6
No sooner had the news of Chomsky’s death gained momentum when counterclaims began to emerge. Social media saw a surge in posts that seemed to debunk the initial announcement. A tactical maneuver by Chomsky’s wife played a crucial role in correcting the narrative.
From Man Down To Man Alive
¡Noam Chomsky está vivo!
— Jose M. Santana (@JoseMSantana10) June 18, 2024
A las 3:41 p.m. EDT de hoy 18 de junio 2024, su esposa, Valeria, me ha confirmado que Noam Chomsky está mejorando su salud. Los rumores sobre su fallecimiento son falsos. #NoamChomsky pic.twitter.com/cnvOLRxDlu
Further proof was provided by individuals claiming to have spoken directly with Chomsky’s wife, although the specifics of these communications remain unknown. A report that Chomsky is currently in Sao Paulo, Brazil, recovering from a massive stroke he suffered last year further muddled matters. One clear takeaway from this digital drama is undeniably the influence and reach of Noam Chomsky, alive or otherwise.