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 […]
Facts Check
Another Phony Story Targets Malia Obama
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 […]
Trump’s Steel Industry Claims
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 […]
Website Distorts MSNBC Clip
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 […]
Social Media Posts Treat Fictional Harris ‘Quote’ as Fact
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 […]
Trump’s False Auto Industry Tweets
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 […]
Can Trump ‘Order’ U.S. Companies to Leave China?
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.” […]
Falsehoods About Family Separations Linger Online
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 […]
Instagram Hoax Nabs Rick Perry
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 […]
Trump’s Dubious Michigan ‘Man of the Year’ Boast
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 […]