Para leer en español, vea esta traducción de Google Translate. Quick Take As some celebrities issued statements in response to the Israel-Hamas war, a video posted to social media falsely claimed that pop star Taylor Swift stopped screenings of her new film in Israel. But it was technical difficulties with […]
Facts Check
FactChecking the Third GOP Primary Debate
Summary The third Republican primary debate included a few arguments, mostly about China, and some misleading claims: Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis sparred over their roles as governors in helping to lure Chinese companies to their respective states. Both spun some […]
RFK Jr. Incorrectly Denies Past Remarks on Vaccine Safety and Effectiveness
In a “PBS NewsHour” interview, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. repeatedly denied previously saying that “no vaccine” is safe and effective. But Kennedy said exactly that on the Lex Fridman podcast in July. Kennedy, who is a former Democrat, also repeated a favorite — but incorrect — talking […]
No Change in George Floyd’s Cause of Death, Despite Viral False Claims
Para leer en español, vea esta traducción de Google Translate. Quick Take The police officer who kept his knee on George Floyd’s neck for about nine minutes in 2020 was convicted of murder, and the medical examiner determined that police efforts to subdue Floyd caused his death. Nothing about the […]
COVID-19 Vaccines Save Lives, Are Not More Lethal Than COVID-19
SciCheck Digest COVID-19 vaccination reduces the risk of death from COVID-19. Social media posts have misused survey data and adverse events reports to falsely claim that COVID-19 vaccines have killed more people than COVID-19. But serious adverse events resulting from vaccination, including deaths, are rare. How do we know vaccines […]
Video in Spanish Misleads About Mammograms
SciCheck Digest Experts agree mammograms are the best tool to screen for breast cancer and that the benefits of the exam outweigh the risks. But a video in Spanish recommended that women over 40 skip mammograms, claiming the test is “unsafe” and “unnecessary.” Full Story Breast cancer is the second […]
Posts Falsely Claim FDA ‘Required’ to Take mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines off Market Due to Adulteration
SciCheck Digest As with many medical products, the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines may contain trace amounts of residual DNA from the manufacturing process. It is not considered adulteration, and the Food and Drug Administration is not “required” to pull the vaccines from the market, contrary to viral claims online. How do […]
Pro-Trump PAC Spars with DeSantis over Puerto Rican Statehood
Para leer en español, vea esta traducción de Google Translate. A pro-Donald Trump super PAC and Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign are both spinning the facts about support for Puerto Rican statehood. A TV ad from the super PAC claims that when DeSantis, now Florida’s governor, was a U.S. congressman, he “sided with […]
Online Video Misrepresents Putin Speech Commemorating WWII Victory
Para leer en español, vea esta traducción de Google Translate. Quick Take An online video shows Russian President Vladimir Putin addressing a 2021 military rally commemorating the triumph over Nazism in World War II. But an Instagram post sharing the video falsely claims Putin is shown announcing “help to Palestine” […]
IRS Funding Cut Doesn’t Offset Israel Aid in GOP Bill
House Speaker Mike Johnson cited concern about “fiscal stability” in saying that a Republican bill to provide aid for Israel would have “pay-fors in it.” But the legislation would increase the deficit, not pay for itself. House Speaker Mike Johnson is sworn in at the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 25, […]