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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Plane Crew Didn’t Rebuff Obama

Plane Crew Didn’t Rebuff Obama

Q: Did the crew of Air Force One refuse to fly President Obama to play golf?

A: No. It’s a fake news story specifically targeting “conservative readers.”

A Fake Mike Pence Quote

A Fake Mike Pence Quote

Q: Did Mike Pence call Michelle Obama “the most vulgar first lady we’ve ever had”?

A: No. That is a made-up quote and story from a self-described “news/satire” website.

Clinton Counties

Clinton Counties

Q: In the election, did Hillary Clinton only win 57 out of 3,141 counties? 
A: No. Clinton won at least 487 counties, according to two different counts of preliminary results.
 

Could Electoral College Elect Clinton?

Could Electoral College Elect Clinton?

Q: Can the Electoral College elect Hillary Clinton on Dec. 19?
A: Yes, it may be constitutionally possible; but no, it will not happen, according to election experts.

No ‘First Grandma’ Pension

No ‘First Grandma’ Pension

Q: Will Marian Robinson, Barack Obama’s mother-in-law, receive a $160,000 government pension for babysitting her granddaughters during Obama’s time as president?
A: No. That false rumor originated from a fake news website.

Clinton and Nuclear Launch Times

Clinton and Nuclear Launch Times

Q: Did Hillary Clinton disclose classified information when she said it takes four minutes to launch a nuclear missile after a presidential order?
A: The U.S. Strategic Command said it does not “disclose operational timelines.” But it is common knowledge that it takes about four minutes. 

Did the Pope Endorse Trump?

Did the Pope Endorse Trump?

Q: Did Pope Francis endorse Donald Trump? Is Tom Hanks supporting him?
A: No, the pope has not endorsed him, and Tom Hanks does not support him.

Is Stop-and-Frisk Unconstitutional?

Is Stop-and-Frisk Unconstitutional?

Q: Was the police technique of “stop-and-frisk” found unconstitutional?
A: The practice is not unconstitutional, but a judge ruled in 2013 that New York City’s stop-and-frisk program was carried out in a manner that violated the U.S. Constitution. 

Obama Did Not Ban the Pledge

Obama Did Not Ban the Pledge

Q: Did President Obama sign an executive order banning the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools?
A: No. That claim comes from a satirical story on a fake news website.

Clinton’s 1975 Rape Case

Clinton’s 1975 Rape Case

Q: Did Hillary Clinton volunteer in 1975 to defend a rapist, who was found not guilty, and laugh about it in an interview in 1980?
A: Clinton defended an accused rapist, but she did not volunteer. He pleaded guilty to a lesser offense. She laughed when recalling unusual aspects of the case.