Did NBA star Anthony Edwards donate a $514,000 game check to ICE? No, that's not true: The account that posted the message is run by a writer for 'The Simpsons' using the name "Gene Parmesan," a character from 'Arrested Development.' Edwards made a comment about ICE in Minnesota that was criticized for not being more forceful against the raids, but there is no proof he donated any money to ICE.
The claim appeared in a January 27, 2026, post on X.com account @dsonoiki (archived here). It opened:
BREAKING: Anthony Edwards has donated yesterday's game check, $514k to ICE "Joe Biden let in 20 million illegals. ICE is helping keep America safe and deserves full funding." Wow
This is what the post looked like on X at the time of writing:
(Image Source: Lead Stories screenshot from X.com/dsonoiki.)
The account is run by Damilare Sonoiki, a writer for "The Simpsons," according to his IMDb page. Sonoiki posts satirical comments about current events on his account. The username for the account is Gene Parmesan, the character who was Lucille Bluth's private detective, played by Martin Mull on "Arrested Development." Here is a video posted on YouTube account @mistagriffin of the Gene Parmesan character:
Edwards, who plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves, was criticized for a comment he made to a reporter on Jan. 25, 2026, when asked about the community following unrest after a fatal federal shooting in Minneapolis. He said:
Man I just love Minnesota, all the love and support they show me, so I'm behind them. I'm behind whatever they with. I don't really have social media so I'm not in tune with everything. I've heard about the stuff going on. Me and my family are definitely praying for everyone
Anthony Edwards message to the Minnesota community.
-- Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) January 26, 2026
"Man I just love Minnesota, all the love and support they show me, so I'm behind them. I'm behind whatever they with. I don't really have social media so I'm not in tune with everything. I've heard about the stuff going on. Me... pic.twitter.com/QGRzoFOzpA
Andrew Dukowitz, the reporter who asked Edwards the question, posted on his X account to clarify what he asked and why he didn't address ICE or the shootings in the state:
(Image Source: Lead Stories screenshot from X.com/adukeMN.)
Had Edwards donated a $514,000 game check to ICE, it likely would have been major news, but searches of Google News and Yahoo! News show no credible news reports confirming such a donation. There is no evidence Edwards made that contribution.
