Did You Notice These April Fools in the Media, Such as Dedonder-Signed Sneakers, a Meuse Underpass, and Tom Cruise’s Visit to Belgium?

The Belgian Minister of Defense, Ludivine Dedonder, has reportedly decided to venture into the world of fashion by launching her own brand of sneakers. The shoes will be versatile, unisex, made in Belgium, and customizable. Meanwhile, L’Avenir reports on an investigation by the river police, led by Commissioner Cousteau, which uncovered an elaborate plan for an underwater tunnel connecting the Élysette and the Walloon Parliament. The secret project, which was allegedly approved by Walloon Minister-President Elio Di Rupo and the Bureau of Parliament, was said to have cost €75 million. Additionally, negotiations are reportedly underway to build a new national stadium in Charleroi on the Caterpillar site, using decommissioned shipping containers from the port of Antwerp. Finally, 1RCF Belgium aired a prank where they aired a fake interview with Tom Cruise, in which the actor claimed to have donated €1 million following listening to a podcast and seeing Jesus.

The floor is attributed in Sudinfo to the Minister of Defense Ludivine Dedonder “who has always loved fashion and has opted to embark on creation”: “I have decided to launch my own brand of sneakers. A sneaker to wear in all circumstances, no offense to some, mixed, made in Belgium and customizable”.

Trainers by Dedonder or even a tunnel under the Meuse in the April 1st press ©BELGA

L’Avenir, for its part, relates “an investigation by the river police, under the direction of Commissioner Cousteau” which made it possible to uncover “an ambitious project for a secret underwater passage which would have linked the Élysette to the Walloon Parliament “. It would be a question of allowing “the ministers on one side, the deputies on the opposite bank to go discreetly from one place to another, without the risk of meeting journalists, demonstrators, climate activists or beggars”.

The work would also have been carried out “in the greatest secrecy under the direction of the clerk” and received “the discreet approval of the Walloon Minister-President Elio Di Rupo and that of the Bureau of Parliament” for a “final slate valued at 75 million “.

The Last Hour, meanwhile, ensures that “negotiations are underway to build the new Belgian national stadium on the Caterpillar site”, where the Legoland amusement park was to be installed. But it will not be a traditional stadium since “the future national stadium in Charleroi will be assembled by stacking decommissioned shipping containers from the port of Antwerp”.

On the side of 1RCF Belgium, we hit hard. The radio uses an old interview with Tom Cruise and doubles it by having the actor say that he gave “1 million euros to extraordinary radio” following “listening to a podcast at his home in California”. Juggling between English and French, the actor declares “to have seen Jesus and to be there to see the country”. The fake interview ends with a “Bye-bye Belgium” from the actor who then runs off.

While these April Fool’s Day pranks may have fooled some readers, it’s important to remember to take everything with a grain of salt on this day. These comical and outlandish stories serve as a reminder to not take ourselves too seriously and to enjoy a good laugh. Whether it’s a pair of designer sneakers from the Minister of Defense, a secret underwater passage between government buildings, a national stadium made of shipping containers, or Tom Cruise donating a million euros to a radio station, it’s all in good fun. Happy April Fool’s Day!