Search Fact Checks

Dodge (as part of Stellantis) discloses in its privacy policies that it may sell or share various categories of customer information—including identifiers, geolocation, and usage data—with affiliates, subsidiaries, dealers, and marketing partners. While this is a standard practice for many automotive companies, it confirms that the company does engage in the sharing and selling of consumer data as defined by privacy laws.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially debunked viral social media claims alleging that it is conducting a secret recruitment exercise. The agency clarified that it does not conduct recruitment through clandestine processes or third parties and urged the public to rely only on its official communication channels for verified information.

During a speech at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas on September 9, 2026, President Donald Trump promised to issue a $5,000 payment, which he termed the 'Trump Dividend,' to every adult American citizen, contingent upon the Republican Party winning majority control of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate in the 2026 midterm elections.

During a campaign rally in Nebraska on October 5, 2026, President Donald Trump discussed the ongoing war with Iran and the associated economic costs, specifically rising gas prices. In his remarks, he stated, 'They can take out a city. Let 'em take out Los Angeles, let 'em take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay and it's going to be over with very soon.' While the White House and supporters argued the comments were taken out of context—asserting he meant that the economic costs were a small price to pay compared to the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran—the attribution of the quote itself is accurate.

During his tenure as Ohio's Lieutenant Governor (2019–2025), Jon Husted was a prominent advocate for the state's data center industry, actively promoting the sector and supporting the tax incentive programs that resulted in approximately $2.5 billion in tax exemptions for data center projects. While the tax credits were formally approved by the Ohio Tax Credit Authority, Husted's role as a key proponent and public face of these efforts is well-documented.

The claim that former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper was in New York at a climate event when Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina is false. Records confirm Cooper attended a New York Times event on September 25, 2024, while the hurricane did not make landfall in North Carolina until September 27, 2024, at which time Cooper was in North Carolina.

The claim that President Donald Trump has deported over 13,000 Cubans across his two terms is rated as 'Mostly True.' Official government data confirms approximately 3,400 deportations during his first term (2017–2021). While the Department of Homeland Security has not released consolidated official figures for his second term, data analyzed by Human Rights Watch—based on ICE records obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request—estimates that approximately 8,500 Cubans were deported between the start of his second term and August 5, 2026. This brings the total to nearly 12,000, a figure that may have increased since the August data cutoff.

The claim that Elon Musk developed a flying car or provided the financial backing for Alef Aeronautics is false. Alef Aeronautics is an independent company founded by Jim Dukhovny, Konstantin Kisly, Pavel Markin, and Oleg Petrov. There is no evidence linking Elon Musk to the development or funding of the company's flying car projects.

The claim that actor Salman Khan has announced his decision to join the AIMIM political party is false. The viral video and images circulating on social media are AI-generated manipulations of existing footage.

The claim that Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Collins admitted that Donald Trump is in the 'Epstein files' is mostly false. While Collins did speculate during a campaign context that Trump might be mentioned in the documents, he did so in the context of arguing that Trump had previously identified Epstein's criminal behavior. The claim misrepresents his comments by omitting this critical context.

Senator Bernie Sanders correctly stated that under current U.S. tax law, Social Security payroll taxes are capped at a specific wage threshold. For 2026, that threshold is $184,500. Consequently, any individual earning at least that amount in wages pays the same maximum Social Security tax, regardless of whether their total income is $184,500 or billions of dollars. While the claim is technically accurate regarding the tax structure, it omits that Social Security taxes apply only to wage income, not capital gains or other forms of wealth accumulation common to ultra-high-net-worth individuals.

In October 2026, Congressman Andy Harris threatened to have student journalist Cat Murphy prosecuted for recording him during a media scrum following a public candidate forum in Cambridge, Maryland. Harris cited Maryland's two-party consent wiretapping law as the basis for his objection. However, legal consensus and journalism experts note that this law generally applies to private conversations where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy, not to public press events where journalists are openly recording.

Israel is widely recognized as a key strategic ally of the United States. This relationship is characterized by extensive military, intelligence, and diplomatic cooperation, as well as significant U.S. financial and security assistance. While the specific nature of the alliance and the degree of alignment on certain foreign policy issues—such as the approach to Iran—can fluctuate based on the administrations in power and geopolitical developments, the fundamental status of Israel as a U.S. ally remains a consistent pillar of American foreign policy.

In May 2019, staff for Representative Ilhan Omar requested that the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library update her official biographical record to reflect her birth year as 1982 rather than 1981. The library complied with this request, and her birth date is now widely cited as October 4, 1982, in official and biographical sources.

Attributing the state of the U.S. economy solely to President Biden is inaccurate. While economists agree that the American Rescue Plan contributed to inflationary pressure, the primary drivers of the post-pandemic economic environment—including high inflation—were global supply chain disruptions, the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and geopolitical instability such as the war in Ukraine.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly characterized the national conversation regarding an 'affordability crisis' as a 'hoax' or 'con job' perpetuated by Democrats. While the president has used this language, the claim that affordability issues themselves are a hoax is a political assertion rather than a verifiable economic fact, as cost-of-living metrics are subject to data analysis.

Katie Zacharia was fired from her position as White House press secretary on October 16, 2026, after serving in the role for approximately one week.

On October 16, 2026, President Donald Trump publicly stated that he advised his newly appointed White House press secretary, Katie Zacharia, to 'reconsider' her position. This followed a week of intense media scrutiny regarding her professional qualifications—specifically her credentials as an attorney—and a widely criticized performance during her first press briefing. Shortly after the President's remarks, it was reported that Zacharia was 'transitioning out' of the role.

During a Rose Garden event on October 15, 2026, President Donald Trump remarked, “I have some very severe problems,” but the full context of his statement shows he was joking about his lack of vices like smoking, drinking, or drug use. He explicitly contrasted these “problems” with substance abuse, and immediately followed the comment by mocking how the media would likely misinterpret his words.

The claim that BJP leader Nitin Nabin hoisted the national flag upside down is false. The image circulating on social media was digitally manipulated; original video and photographic evidence from the event show him holding the flag correctly.

While President Donald Trump has repeatedly joked about running for a third term in 2028 and has worn 'Trump 2028' merchandise, he has explicitly acknowledged that the U.S. Constitution's 22nd Amendment prohibits him from doing so. His comments regarding a 2028 run are consistently framed as jokes or responses to supporters, rather than formal campaign announcements.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the unemployment rate for September 2026 was 4.2%, not 4.1%.

The claim that Donald Trump is the most popular president in U.S. history is not supported by historical polling data. Multiple reputable polling organizations, including Gallup, have consistently recorded significantly higher approval ratings for other presidents, such as George W. Bush, who reached 90% following the September 11 attacks.

While Katie Zacharia holds a law degree from Pepperdine University, she is not a licensed attorney. She has not passed a bar exam in the United States, and reports indicate she is not licensed to practice law in any state.

Reports from Roll Call and data from USAspending confirm that the Department of Defense (DOD) engaged in a significant acceleration of spending in the final weeks of fiscal year 2026, obligating approximately $60 billion in reconciliation funds during that period.

The claim that actor Deepika Padukone shared an Instagram Story supporting Sonam Wangchuk and criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi is false. Multiple media outlets and fact-checking investigations have confirmed that the viral screenshot circulating on social media is digitally fabricated and never appeared on the actor's verified account.

There is no evidence that President Donald Trump signed a law increasing the federal minimum wage to $25 an hour. The federal minimum wage remains $7.25 per hour, and multiple fact-checking organizations have debunked this viral claim as false.

The claim that actor Denzel Washington called Donald Trump 'exceptionally brave and smart' and is a 'steadfast supporter' is false. The quote originated from a social media post by 'Red Eagle Updates' and has been debunked by multiple news organizations and fact-checkers. Representatives for Denzel Washington have confirmed the statement is fabricated.

The claim that actor Denzel Washington stated he has never met anyone braver, smarter, or who cares more about America than Donald Trump is false. The quote is a fabrication that has been debunked by representatives for the actor.

The claim that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) halted annual royalty payments of $2.5 million to Barack Obama for 'Obamacare' is false. The story originated from a known satirical website and has no basis in reality.

There is no evidence that 'newly released' FOIA door logs exist to support the claim that former President Joe Biden did not enter the Oval Office after the 2024 election. Furthermore, White House records are generally not subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and photographic and video evidence confirms that President Biden performed official duties and held meetings in the Oval Office during that period.

The claim that Texas U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico is a vegan is false. Talarico has explicitly denied the label, and there is documented evidence of him consuming meat products.

In October 2026, President Donald Trump shared footage on his Truth Social account depicting a fatal tiger attack on a man at a wildlife park in England. The post was accompanied by the caption, "Don't ever mess with nature!"

There is no evidence that Donald Trump posted a message on Truth Social claiming he spoke to God about a golden throne, an ocean of blood, or Armageddon. Independent fact-checkers have confirmed that the viral screenshot circulating on social media is fabricated.

The claim that Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner have split based on an Instagram story is false. The viral image of the alleged Instagram story was a fabrication that circulated on social media, and multiple reputable news outlets have confirmed the post was fake.

The video does not show an incident in India; it depicts an event that occurred in Sonargaon, Narayanganj, Bangladesh. The claim that it represents the 'new normal' in BJP-ruled India is false.

The claim that social activist Anna Hazare attended a press conference for the 'Cockroach Janata Party' (CJP) is false. The viral image used to support this claim has been identified by multiple fact-checking organizations as AI-generated.

Khaby Lame was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on June 6, 2025, for overstaying his visa. He was granted voluntary departure and subsequently left the United States.

The claim that French President Emmanuel Macron has resigned is false. Macron remains the President of France and has stated his intention to leave politics only after his second term concludes in 2027.

The claim that India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed there is no foreign funding in the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is false. The MEA explicitly debunked this viral social media claim, stating that it misrepresents the spokesperson's actual comments.

The claim that actors Alyssa Milano, Rachael Harris, and Sean Astin released videos supporting an 'All Democrats Are Criminals' movement is false. These videos are fabricated and falsely attribute statements to these actors using manipulated media.

The U.S. Senate passed the 'Protect College Sports Act of 2026' (S.4668) on September 28, 2026, by a vote of 77-22. The legislation aims to establish national standards for college athlete compensation and regulation.

There is no evidence that England midfielder Jude Bellingham made these statements. Multiple news organizations have confirmed that these quotes are fabricated and part of a wave of misinformation circulating on social media following the 2026 World Cup.

There is no evidence of a public figure or prominent individual named 'Michele Latoya' associated with the state of Minnesota. A search of public records identifies a 'Michele Latoya Turner' who is a registered nurse based in Georgia, not Minnesota.

Simon Glaser is a real political candidate running for the Minnesota State Senate in District 24 for the 2026 election cycle.

Dianne Feinstein was a United States Senator representing California from 1992 until her death in 2023. She held the title of Senator, not Representative, throughout her tenure in the U.S. Congress.

The claim that Andrew Constance has no local government employment experience is accurate. His professional background consists of 18 years as a Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and various state ministerial roles, but he has not previously held a position within local government administration.

The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check unit and government officials have confirmed that viral videos depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Piyush Goyal making threatening remarks toward students are AI-generated deepfakes. Authorities have identified these as part of a misinformation campaign and have taken legal action, including filing police complaints and removing the content from social media platforms.

The claim that birth control is 'poison' is a hyperbolic, non-scientific characterization. While some older, small-scale studies suggested a potential link between hormonal contraceptives and shifts in preferences for masculine facial features, more recent and larger-scale research has found no evidence that birth control significantly alters a woman's attraction to masculinity.

There is no evidence that Peter Obi ever stated that his son is gay. The claim originated from a fabricated graphic circulating on social media, which has been debunked by multiple independent fact-checking organizations.

During a campaign rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, on October 5, 2026, President Donald Trump stated, "They can take out a city. Let 'em take out Los Angeles, let 'em take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay."

The claim that the Cat in the Hat has been spotted in various towns is false. The images and videos circulating on social media are AI-generated hoaxes, and multiple police forces in the UK and Ireland have officially debunked these reports.

The claim that police are investigating sightings of Dr. Seuss' 'Cat in the Hat' crouching on cars and peering into windows is false. These reports are part of a viral social media trend involving AI-generated images and videos, which police forces in the UK, Ireland, and the US have explicitly debunked.

The viral video claiming to show municipal vehicles dumping garbage to block CJP protesters in Delhi is false. Fact-check investigations have confirmed the footage was recorded in Panipat, Haryana, on August 17, 2026, and depicts a protest by local sanitation workers, not an attempt by Delhi authorities to obstruct demonstrators.

While the U.S. sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) were announced on the same day that former ICC judge Navi Pillay was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, there is no evidence that the award was the reason for the sanctions. The administration cited concerns over U.S. sovereignty and the court's potential to prosecute American citizens as the justification for the move.

Fact-checking organizations have confirmed that viral social media footage claiming to show protesters attempting to block Chinese President Xi Jinping's motorcade during a recent visit to the United States is misleading. The footage is recycled from an older event and does not depict the 2026 state visit.

The claim that "Jake Johnson is cutting benefits" is misleading. Jake Johnson is a political candidate running for Congress in Minnesota's 1st District and does not hold a legislative office with the power to enact or cut government benefits. The confusion likely stems from his campaign rhetoric, where he frequently criticizes his opponent, incumbent Congressman Brad Finstad, for supporting legislation that reduces funding for programs like SNAP and Medicaid.

Multiple independent fact-checking organizations have documented a recurring pattern of old, unrelated videos being misattributed as recent drone or military strikes on Saudi Arabian infrastructure and military bases.

The claim that the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed intelligence investigations showed no foreign funding in recent Delhi protests is false. The MEA explicitly debunked this viral claim, stating that it misrepresents the spokesperson's actual remarks, which were that he had 'no information' to share on the matter.

There is no evidence that Donald Trump ever made the statement, 'If Christians don't get involved in politics, politics will erase their right to be Christians.' Fact-checking organizations have investigated this claim and found no record of him saying it.

There is no evidence that Donald Trump has issued written instructions requesting a 'simple' funeral without gold or expensive caskets in the event of his death while in office. The claim originated as an online rumor and has been debunked by fact-checking organizations.

There is no evidence that an Iranian leader stated that the U.S. government would be responsible for destroying Los Angeles and San Diego. The claim appears to be a misattribution or distortion of remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested that Iran had the capability to target those cities, which subsequently drew criticism from California officials.

Viral social media posts claiming that an image shows an attempt to block Chinese President Xi Jinping's motorcade during a recent US trip are false. Fact-checking organizations have identified these posts as misrepresentations of older or unrelated footage.

There is no evidence that Donald Trump drafted written instructions requesting a 'simple' funeral with no gold or extravagance in the event of his death while in office. The claim originated as an online rumor and has been debunked by fact-checking organizations.

There is no evidence that Donald Trump ever made this statement. People magazine has confirmed that they have no record of such an interview or quote in their archives from 1998 or any other year.

While major crime categories in New York City have shown a downward trend in recent years, the claim that crime is at an 'all-time low' is inaccurate. Historical data indicates that current crime rates, while lower than the pandemic-era peak, remain higher than the historic lows achieved during the 2010s.

The claim that Palestinians elected a group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and other nations is factually supported by the 2006 legislative election results. However, the assertion that Palestinians 'cannot govern' themselves is a subjective political interpretation, and the claim ignores the complex history of Palestinian governance, including the role of the Palestinian Authority and the lack of national elections since 2006.

The claim that a 'Cat-in-the-Hat' killer is stalking residents in south Mississippi is false. The reports originated from a viral social media hoax involving AI-generated images and prank videos that spread internationally, prompting unnecessary concern and investigations by local law enforcement and school districts.

The claim that birth control pills are 'poison' and cause permanent infertility is false. Extensive medical research and guidance from health authorities, including the CDC and the World Health Organization, confirm that oral contraceptives do not cause permanent infertility and that fertility typically returns once the medication is discontinued.

The claim 'Jake Jonson, Minnesota' is ambiguous and likely conflates two different individuals active in Minnesota politics: Jake Johnson, a Democratic congressional candidate, and Jake Lang, a conservative influencer.

Large-scale protests frequently occur in central London, and multiple reputable news organizations have documented instances in 2026 where tens of thousands of people marched through the city for various causes.

Speaker Mike Johnson's claim that the 119th Congress is the 'most productive in 80 years' is misleading. While House leadership cites specific metrics like tax cuts and deregulation, objective legislative data shows that the 119th Congress has enacted significantly fewer bills than historical averages, with some analyses ranking it among the least productive in modern history.

There is no evidence that Megan Rapinoe called for Jason Kelce to be fired. The claim originated from fabricated social media content and has been debunked by fact-checking organizations.

There is no evidence of a 'mystery virus' circulating. Health experts state that the symptoms described by TikTok users are consistent with common, known respiratory illnesses, and the 'mystery' is a result of social media misinformation rather than a novel pathogen.

The claim that Japan's population reached 124 million in 2026 is inaccurate. Multiple authoritative sources, including the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and United Nations projections, estimate Japan's total population to be approximately 122.4 million in 2026.

Multiple independent reports and fact-checking organizations have confirmed that during the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, deepfake videos were circulated on social media depicting both Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif making fabricated statements, including admissions of defeat or apologies.

The claim that birth control medication is 'poison' and causes infertility is false. Extensive medical research and consensus from reproductive health experts confirm that hormonal contraceptives do not cause long-term or permanent infertility.

The claim that Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated there was no foreign funding behind CJP-led protests is false. The MEA explicitly debunked this viral claim, clarifying that the spokesperson actually stated he had 'no information to share' regarding the matter.

The claim that President Biden placed a Medal of Honor on a veteran backwards is false. The video circulating on social media was manipulated and grainy, leading to a false interpretation of the event during the July 2022 ceremony.

While Donald Trump did use the phrase 'Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego' during a rally, the context of his remarks indicates he was describing a hypothetical threat posed by Iran, not advocating for or expressing a willingness to allow such an attack to occur.

President Donald Trump officially announced a $15 billion steel plant project in Iowa, to be developed by Mesabi Metallics, during an event at the White House on September 28, 2026.

The claim that Hamas abducted 251 people on October 7, 2023, is accurate according to official reports. The figure of 'more than 1,100' deaths is also factually supported, as the widely accepted death toll is approximately 1,200.

The claim that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was photographed with Jeffrey Epstein is false. The images circulating online are AI-generated fabrications created by a parody account.

The claim that President Biden placed the Medal of Honor on veteran Dwight Birdwell backwards is false. The viral video circulating on social media was a low-quality, grainy clip that created a visual illusion. High-definition footage of the July 5, 2022, ceremony confirms the medal was placed correctly.

The claim that Governor Gavin Newsom is 'forcing' the closure of California refineries is not supported by evidence. While refinery closures have occurred in California, companies like Phillips 66 and Valero have cited market conditions, regulatory environments, and business sustainability as reasons for their decisions, rather than direct government mandates to shut down.

During a meeting at the White House on August 17, 2026, President Donald Trump told 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai, who had been rescued from drowning by a lifeguard, that he 'probably' would not have been able to save him.

The claim that Senator Jon Ossoff cast the 'deciding vote' for the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act is false. The bill passed the Senate on a 51-50 vote, where all Democrats voted in favor and all Republicans voted against, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote.

There are two distinct events involving the term 'Trump mobile' and hacking: one involving the targeting of mobile phones used by Donald Trump and JD Vance by Chinese hackers in 2024, and a separate 2026 data breach involving the company 'Trump Mobile' that exposed the personal information of over 3,600 customers.

The viral image depicting teachers holding a sign threatening to quit if pride flags are removed from their classrooms is an AI-generated fabrication.

The claim that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani pushed for a 20% salary increase for himself and other city officials is false. While an independent commission recommended an 18.2% salary adjustment for elected officials to account for inflation, Mayor Mamdani did not initiate or push for this raise and publicly committed to declining the increase for himself.

The claim that a California teacher was recently fired for forcing students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to an LGBTQ+ pride flag is misleading. The incident involving teacher Kristin Pitzen occurred in 2021, not 2026. Furthermore, reports indicate she suggested students could pledge to the pride flag after removing the American flag, rather than forcing them to do so, and her employment status following the investigation was not publicly confirmed as a firing.

The claim that the United States has added 807,000 jobs since Donald Trump began his second term in January 2025 is supported by labor market data reported in September 2026.

The claim that Currys is offering KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 stand mixers for £10 via an online form is false. This is a recurring scam format that uses the names of well-known retailers to harvest personal data.

The video circulating on social media claiming to show thousands of people recently marching through central London is AI-generated, not a recording of a real event.

The viral image claiming to show BJP National President Nitin Nabin hoisting the Indian national flag upside down is digitally manipulated. Multiple independent fact-checking organizations have confirmed that the original photograph shows the flag correctly oriented with the saffron stripe at the top.

President Donald Trump stated he feels "badly" for the seven male students accused of sexual assault at Cornell University, asserting they would not receive a "fair shake" because New York Attorney General Letitia James was appointed to investigate the case.

The claim that Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he had 'spoken to God' and that 'tonight is Armageddon' is false. The image circulating on social media is a fabricated screenshot.

Abigail Spanberger's claim that President Trump's tariff policies have cost American families more than $1,700 is supported by data from the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) Minority, which estimated an average cost of approximately $1,745 per family between February 2025 and January 2026.

Donald Trump claimed China illicitly acquired 220 million US voter files. While declassified documents confirm Chinese actors collected approximately 220 million voter records, this is misleading because most of this data consists of publicly available voter registration information. Experts state that acquiring public records does not constitute a security breach and does not enable vote manipulation.

The claim that the United States has the best poverty numbers in history is mostly true, as the official poverty rate in 2025 was the lowest recorded since 1959. However, this claim omits context about the Supplemental Poverty Measure, which is considered more comprehensive by experts and did not show an all-time low in 2025.