Author: FAN Moderator

Q: Does the Amazon produce 20% of the world’s oxygen? A: No. Scientists estimate the percentage is closer to 6 to 9%, and the Amazon ultimately consumes nearly all of that oxygen itself.  FULL QUESTION Does the Amazon Rainforest truly produce 20% of the Earth’s oxygen? Where does the remaining 80% come from? FULL ANSWER On Aug. 20, Brazil’s space agency sparked a media frenzy when it released satellite data showing an alarming number of…

Quick Take A website that describes its content as satire posted a story falsely claiming that Malia Obama was arrested at Harvard University. She wasn’t, but that story has been copied by other sites and shared as though it’s true. Full Story Malia Obama has been a popular target for purveyors of misinformation; we’ve debunked claims about former President Barack Obama’s eldest daughter before. Another bogus claim, first published in the spring, has been picking…

Summary To hear President Donald Trump tell the story of the U.S. steel industry, it went from “dead” or “going out of business” to “thriving” all because of the 25% tariffs on imported steel he instituted in March 2018. While the tariffs have benefited U.S. steel producers, the reality of the impact isn’t that stark. Domestic prices went up, for instance, but are now back down below the level they were when Trump was inaugurated….

Quick Take An old clip from a cable news show has been misrepresented by a dubious website to make the false claim that the program’s anchor prayed “for every American to suffer just so Trump won’t get re-elected.” Full Story A clip taken from an MSNBC show that aired more than a year ago has recently been turned into hyper-partisan fodder online. In a headline posted on Aug. 21, a dubious website claimed: “DISTURBING: MSNBC…

Quick Take Facebook users expressed outrage over a statement that is falsely attributed to Sen. Kamala Harris. The quote — about seeking “vengeance” against supporters of President Donald Trump — originated on a website that calls its work satire. Full Story A statement first attributed to Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris in a made-up story is now making the rounds on social media as if it’s real. The bogus Facebook posts claim that Harris, a 2020…

In a series of tweets aimed at the auto industry, President Donald Trump inaccurately said that his fuel efficiency plan would reduce the cost of cars “by more than $3000” and make them “substantially safer.” Even going by his administration’s analysis — which many experts doubt — he inflated the savings and is wrong about car safety. The tweets, which began the morning of Aug. 21, followed last month’s announcement that four major auto companies…

In a tweet, President Donald Trump said he “hereby ordered” U.S. companies to “immediately start looking for an alternative to China,” including moving their operations back to the United States. His top economic adviser later said “we do have such authority, but it is not going to be exercised presently.” Under what authority can a president order U.S. businesses to leave China? The president cited the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, which “grants…

Quick Take A viral social media post falsely claims that former President Barack Obama “separated” many more children at the border than President Donald Trump.  Full Story  The Trump administration announced a new rule on Aug. 21 that would allow the U.S. government to detain immigrant families that illegally cross the border for longer periods of time than currently permitted. It’s the latest attempt by the administration to deter illegal immigration. That rule would keep…

Quick Take A thoroughly debunked hoax claiming that Instagram users can stop the platform from using their pictures if they post a statement rescinding permission has been circulating again. This time, it ensnared a member of the Trump administration. Full Story Some hoaxes are built to last. And one such monument to digital deception has had a resurgence recently, duping several high-profile figures including Energy Secretary Rick Perry. The hoax dates back to at least…

President Donald Trump has claimed no fewer than seven times over the past three years — including at a recent rally in New Hampshire — that he won Michigan’s “man of the year” award. But there’s no evidence that he did. We scoured news archives and searched the internet, and came up empty. Other media outlets have looked into it too, with a similar lack of results. And Trump’s campaign isn’t commenting. This is what…