The WUSA9 Verify team works to give you the facts to those viral claims you see spreading on the internet.
In the wake of the Ralph Northam blackface photo controversy, other incidents of blackface scandals have surfaced that include celebrities and fashion brands coming under fire.
One of our viewers came across a supposed Dunkin Donuts ad promoting a charcoal donut that appears to show a woman in black face.
![](https://media.wusa9.com/assets/WUSA/images/840c656a-9f76-44e3-a390-a52e0287e840/840c656a-9f76-44e3-a390-a52e0287e840_140x79.png)
![](https://media.wusa9.com/assets/WUSA/images/840c656a-9f76-44e3-a390-a52e0287e840/840c656a-9f76-44e3-a390-a52e0287e840_1140x641.png)
It's recently been circulating on social media, and a lot of people are getting upset by the offensive photo.
But is this a legit ad from the recently re-branded, Dunkin'?
Verify researchers spoke to a Dunkin' spokesperson who confirmed this indeed was a real Dunkin brand ad to promote a then new donut, but this ad is out-dated.
It was from a 2013 campaign in Thailand that was short lived.
![](https://media.wusa9.com/assets/WUSA/images/72e35813-4f92-45c4-b75b-342168f6e4de/72e35813-4f92-45c4-b75b-342168f6e4de_140x79.jpg)
![](https://media.wusa9.com/assets/WUSA/images/72e35813-4f92-45c4-b75b-342168f6e4de/72e35813-4f92-45c4-b75b-342168f6e4de_1140x641.jpg)
Dunkin' Brands Sr. Manager, Public Relations, Justin Drake, sent the following statement to the WUSA9:
This advertisement appeared very briefly in Thailand in 2013. Dunkin’ immediately recognized the insensitivity of the spot and, on behalf of our Thailand franchisee and our company, apologized for any offense it caused. We made the decision in partnership with our franchisee in Thailand to pull the spot immediately as well.
So we verified yes this ad appearing to show blackface was a legit ad from Dunkin Donuts in Thailand that was taken down 6 years ago.