Quick Take The U.S. Department of Defense’s Biological Threat Reduction Program has provided technical support to improve and protect Ukraine’s public health laboratories. Social media posts, however, falsely claim the program created “bioweapons labs” that are being targeted by Russian forces as part of the invasion of Ukraine. Full Story […]
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FactChecking Biden’s State of the Union Address
Summary In his first State of the Union address, President Joe Biden focused on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, before turning to his accomplishments and agenda for the coming year. Some of his statements didn’t square with the facts. Biden said the planned release of 60 million barrels of global oil […]
Benefits of COVID-19 Vaccination Outweigh the Rare Risk of Myocarditis, Even in Young Males
SciCheck Digest Rare cases of myocarditis have been reported following the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, particularly among young males after a second dose. Most cases resolve quickly without the need for advanced therapies, although research on any potential long-term effects is ongoing. Nonetheless, the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks in […]
Bogus Tweet Spreads False Account of ‘First American Casualty’ in Ukraine
Quick Take “Bernie Gores” was not killed in Afghanistan in August, and he wasn’t the “first American casualty of the Ukraine crisis.” He doesn’t exist. But Facebook users were faked out by fabricated tweets that purport to show CNN announcing the death of the same man twice in six months. […]
More than 100 Protesters Arrested in Ottawa, Despite Claims in Facebook Video
Quick Take More than 100 people were arrested during the Freedom Convoy protests in Ottawa. But a video on social media falsely claimed protesters were released “in the middle of nowhere” because the arrests were “illegal.” An associate professor of law who observed the protests said that “police had the […]
Russian Rhetoric Ahead of Attack Against Ukraine: Deny, Deflect, Mislead
As Russia amassed troops on the Ukrainian border, Russian President Vladimir Putin, his spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, and other Russian officials repeatedly denied that their country had plans to invade Ukraine. They blamed the U.S., Ukraine and others for the tension, insisting that Russia is a “peaceful country” and that it […]
Rick Scott Proposed ‘All Americans’ Should Pay Income Tax, Then Denied That He Did
A multipart policy plan released by Sen. Rick Scott on Feb. 22 says “all Americans” should have to pay “income tax,” while saying that “over half of Americans” currently do not. But in an interview later that day, after criticism from congressional Democrats, the Florida senator falsely claimed that he […]
Queen Elizabeth II Carries On with Official Duties, Contrary to Unsubstantiated Report of Her Death
Quick Take Queen Elizabeth II has tested positive for COVID-19, Buckingham Palace announced on Feb. 20. But posts on social media spread unsubstantiated claims that the 95-year-old had died. The palace said the queen was experiencing “mild cold-like symptoms.” Full Story Buckingham Palace announced on Feb. 20 that Queen Elizabeth […]
Former Presidents Are Not Allowed to Take Home Official Records
Quick Take The National Archives recovered 15 boxes of materials from former President Donald Trump’s time in office. Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, claimed that the law allowed Trump to “take documents when he left the White House.” But a former president isn’t allowed to take possession of official […]
Biden Initiative Funds Drug Overdose Prevention, Not ‘Crack Pipes’
The Department of Health and Human Services launched a $30 million grant program in December to help “address the nation’s substance use and overdose epidemic” by reducing the dangers related to drug use. The program doesn’t provide funding for crack pipes, contrary to partisan claims fueled by a flawed assumption. […]