March 19, 2024

Fact Check: Vivek Ramaswamy Is Right, Wuhan Is Shipping Fentanyl Materials to Mexico

CLAIM: Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy claimed that precursor drugs used to make fentanyl “are coming from labs in Wuhan, China” and going to Mexican drug cartels. VERDICT: TRUE. Wuhan is one of China’s top chemical-producing cities and for years dominated fentanyl manufacturing; it has since evolved into the home of top suppliers of fentanyl precursor

FACT CHECK: No, Photo Does Not Show Jeffrey Epstein and Ted Kaczynski At A Boys Summer Camp Together

An image shared on Twitter purports to show the late financier turned alleged sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and domestic terrorist Ted Kaczynski at a boys summer camp together. 🚨🚨Jeffrey Epstein and the UNABOMBER, Ted kaczynski in the same picture!?!?🧐 I think we’re gonna find out that TRUTH is much stranger than fiction👇 pic.twitter.com/mRmCn0Koqg — Kevin

FACT CHECK: Did A Fight Ensue After James Comer Revealed A Bombshell Claim About Hunter Biden?

A video shared on Facebook purports a fight ensued on the House floor after Kentucky Republican Rep. James Comer allegedly revealed a bombshell about President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden. Verdict: False The video’s caption is inaccurate. Comer neither appears in the original video, which shows a Feb. 8 House Oversight Committee hearing, nor does

FACT CHECK: Did A French Satirical Magazine Depict Ukrainian Troops Crossing The River Styx?

A post shared on social media purports French satirical magazine Courrier International published a cover that features Ukrainian troops crossing the river Styx. “Ukrainian counteroffensive on the River Styx” – French magazine Courrier International “Zelensky, Zaluzhny, Tantsyura and Syrsky went to the counterattack…– continue the phrase in the comments” pic.twitter.com/K099u13PYV — Trollstoy (@Trollstoy88) May 24, 2023 This

FACT CHECK: No, Mexican TV Did Not Report Cartel Members Had AT-4 Rocket Launchers Sourced From Ukraine

A post shared on Twitter claims Mexican television reported that cartels have dozens of AT-4s sourced from Ukraine. Mexican TV reports that dozens of U.S. AT-4 weapons systems, which were originally shipped to Ukraine, have been purchased by Cartel Golfo in Mexico.pic.twitter.com/3QcHZann1o — Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) June 1, 2023 Verdict: False The original report

FACT CHECK: Is Christopher Wray Facing Jail Time Following A Trap Set By Ron Johnson?

A video shared on Facebook purports Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray is allegedly facing jail time following a trap set by Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnson. Verdict: False The video’s caption is inaccurate. The original video shows a November 2022 Senate Homeland Security Hearing on National Security Threats, and Johnson neither sets

FACT CHECK: Viral Video Of Conversation Between Lindsey Graham And Volodymyr Zelenskyy Is Misleading

A video shared on Twitter purports to show South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham saying, “and the Russians are dying,” immediately followed by “the best money we’ve ever spent” during a recent conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “…and the Russians are dying. That’s the best money we’ve ever spent.” — Lindsey Graham. pic.twitter.com/mzM5DUOd25 —

FACT CHECK: Does America Consume 87% Of The World’s Prescription Drugs?

A video shared on social media purports the United States consumes 87% of the world’s prescription drugs. Verdict: False This claim is inaccurate. Fact Check: Democrat presidential candidate Robert Kennedy, Jr has attacked former President Donald Trump for his apparent connections to Big Pharma, Fox News reported. Kennedy accused Trump of participating in “legalized bribery,” claiming Trump has invested

FACT CHECK: Did An AI-Controlled Drone Kill Its Operator In A Simulation?

Media outlets, such as The Telegraph and The Independent, reported that an artificial intelligence (AI) controlled drone “killed” its operator in a simulation. 🔴 An AI-controlled US military drone “killed” its operator in a simulation to prevent it from interfering with its mission. Read more here ⬇️https://t.co/lGCSknCrtl pic.twitter.com/2lMXevfRqf — The Telegraph (@Telegraph) June 2, 2023 Verdict:

DOJ agrees to $144M settlement in Sutherland Springs shooting civil cases alleging background check negligence

The Justice Department announced Wednesday it has reached a $144 million agreement in principle to settle civil cases stemming from a 2017 mass shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas, which left 26 dead.  Officials said the settlements will resolve claims from more than 75 plaintiffs, who alleged “the Air Force was […]

NHL referee takes out Bruins’ Brad Marchand with surprise check in bizarre moment

The Boston Bruins continued their impressive win streak on Saturday night with 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks, and while it seems like nothing can stop the momentum of this NHL-leading team, one game official briefly slowed down one of the Bruins’ star players.  Brad Marchand has registered a goal and/or assist in the last […]

FACT CHECK: Biden Claims He Capped Insulin Costs for Medicare Enrollees

CLAIM: President Joe Biden claimed during Tuesday’s State of the Union that the Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act put a monthly cap srcf $35 on insulin costs for Medicare enrollees. VERDICT: Misleading. During Biden’s State of the Union address on Tuesday, he claimed,”Big Pharma has been unfairly charging people hundreds of dollars, four to five hundred dollars a month,”

FACT CHECK: Did Mitch McConnell Call For Nancy Pelosi To Be Imprisoned?

A video shared on Facebook claims Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell called for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to be jailed. Verdict: False There is no evidence McConnell made such a remark. He doesn’t call for Pelosi to be imprisoned in the Facebook video. Fact Check: McConnell, who recently returned from a trip to areas…

FACT CHECK: Did Congress Vote To Exempt Itself From Upcoming IRS Audits?

A post shared on Facebook claims members of Congress voted to exempt themselves from any upcoming Internal Revenue Service (IRS) audits.  Verdict: False There is no evidence to suggest that any legislation containing such language has been passed or enacted. The claim stems from a satirical Twitter account. Fact Check: The Inflation Reduction Act which…

FACT CHECK: Did CBC News Publish This Story Defending The Media’s Credibility?

An image shared on Facebook purportedly shows a screen grab of an article from CBC News titled, “The media isn’t lying to you, despite what online trolls may say.” Verdict: False This article is digitally fabricated. A CBC spokesperson confirmed in an email to Check Your Fact that this is not a genuine article published…

FACT CHECK: Did Ron DeSantis Recently Tour Guantanamo Bay?

A post shared on Facebook claims Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made an unexpected visit to Guantanamo Bay Aug. 20.Verdict: False There is no evidence to suggest DeSantis made such a visit. A spokesperson for the governor denied the claim. Fact Check: President Joe Biden’s administration launched a review of Guantanamo Bay back in 2021…

FACT CHECK: Did Florida Ban To ‘Killing A Mockingbird’ From Its Schools?

A post shared on Facebook claims Florida banned “To Kill A Mockingbird” from its schools.Verdict: False There is no evidence to suggest that Florida has banned “To Kill A Mockingbird.” The Florida Department of Education currently recommends the book for eighth graders. Fact Check: Harper Lee’s 1960 novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” is widely considered an…

FACT CHECK: Did The World Economic Forum Send This Tweet About The Age Of Consent ‘Infringing On Human Rights’?

An image shared on Instagram claims to show a tweet from the World Economic Forum (WEF) about how age of consent laws “may be infringing on human rights.” Verdict: False There is no record of the WEF sending this tweet. Fact Check: The WEF is an international organization that “engages the foremost political, business, cultural…

FACT CHECK: Did James Mattis Make This Statement About Idaho?

An image shared on Facebook claims former Secretary of Defense James Mattis said there’s a backup American flag in case Idaho “disappears.” Screenshot/Facebook Verdict: False There is no record of Mattis making the comment. The statement appears to stem from a satire website. Fact Check: Mattis, who served as the Secretary of Defense under former President…

FACT CHECK: Does This Video Show A Volcano Erupting In The Democratic Republic Of The Congo?

A video shared on Facebook purportedly shows a volcano erupting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo recently. Verdict: False The video shows a volcano in Iceland, not the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Fact Check: The 14-second video, which has been viewed over 800 times, captures molten lava bursting and flowing from the top of…

FACT CHECK: Did The New York Post Call Anthony Fauci ‘The Man Who Gave Us AIDS’?

An image shared on Facebook purportedly shows the cover of the New York Post from 1987 featuring an image of White House coronavirus adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci. Facebook/Screenshot Verdict: False The image has been altered to include Fauci. The actual front page included a photo of a couple who were the subject of another story…

FACT CHECK: Does This Video Show Turkish Military Convoys Entering Palestinian Territories In May 2021?

A video shared on Facebook allegedly shows Turkish military convoys entering Palestinian territories. Verdict: False The video splices together two separate videos taken in Russia and Syria. The footage has no connection to the May 2021 Israel-Hamas conflict. Fact Check: Earlier this month, Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas had a violent 11-day conflict…

FACT CHECK: Does This Image Show Mark Zuckerberg Holding An ‘I Stand With Israel’ Sign?

An image shared on Facebook purportedly shows Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg holding a sign that says “I stand with ISRAEL.” Facebook/Screenshot Verdict: False The image has been digitally altered. In the original photo, the sign said, “Thanks!” Fact Check: Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas engaged in an armed conflict from May 10 until…

FACT CHECK: No, Maxine Waters Did Not Introduce A Bill To Rename Memorial Day ‘George Floyd Day’

A post shared on Facebook claims Democratic California Rep. Maxine Waters introduced a bill to change Memorial Day to “George Floyd Day.” Verdict: False There is no record of Waters introducing legislation to rename Memorial Day to “George Floyd Day.” Fact Check: A jury convicted former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in April of second-degree…

FACT CHECK: Are Chicago Police Officers Now Required To Ask For Consent Before Making An Arrest?

A post shared on Facebook claims Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Chicago Police Department officers must ask for consent before arresting someone. Verdict: False No such policy was announced by Lightfoot. The claim appears to stem from a satirical article. Fact Check: “Attention All Criminals.. Free Pass in Chicago!!!” the Facebook post begins. “Mayor Lori…

FACT CHECK: Does This Video Show An Israeli Helicopter Shot Down By Hamas?

A video shared on Facebook purportedly shows an Israeli helicopter shot down by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Verdict: False The video appears to show a government helicopter that was shot down by rebels in Syria in 2020, not an Israeli helicopter shot down in 2021. Fact Check: The video clip shows a helicopter on…

Fact Check: Joe Biden Repeats False Claim of Vaccine ‘Turnaround’

CLAIM: Vaccination levels, particularly among seniors, are “a dramatic turnaround from where we were in January.” VERDICT: MOSTLY FALSE. If there is any “turnaround,” it is negative — and the Biden administration shares the blame. President Joe Biden addressed the nation Tuesday to describe his administration’s plans to encourage people who haven’t yet received the coronavirus…

FACT CHECK: Did Medina Spirit’s Jockey Say This Quote While Turning Down A White House Invitation?

An image shared on Facebook over 500 times claims jockey John Velazquez turned down a White House invitation after winning the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, saying, “If I wanted to see a horse’s ass I would of came in second.” Verdict: False There is no record of Velazquez turning down an invitation to the White…

FACT CHECK: Did Joe Biden Sign 96 Executive Orders In 100 Days?

A post shared on Facebook claims President Joe Biden signed 96 executive orders in 100 days. Verdict: False Biden has signed just over 40 executive orders in 100 days, according to the Federal Register. Fact Check: April 30 marked Biden’s 100th full day in office, USA Today reported. An April 29 Facebook post, which has been…

Fact Check: Cher Falsely Claims GOP Only Allows White People to Vote

CLAIM: Left-wing Hollywood star Cher claimed in a tweet Friday that Republicans only allow white people to vote, adding that the GOP doesn’t understand why “black, brown, and native Americans” are allowed to vote in elections. VERDICT: FALSE. The modern Republican party has never put forth legislation that limits voting rights to only white people.…

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