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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Sinema’s Taliban Comment in Context

Sinema’s Taliban Comment in Context

Q: Is it true that Arizona Democrat Kyrsten Sinema said it is OK for Americans to join the Taliban and/or terrorists?
A: Sinema made what she called an “offhand comment” when a radio interviewer in 2003 posed a hypothetical about making a “personal decision” to fight for the Taliban.

Meme Misleads on Menendez Case

Meme Misleads on Menendez Case

Q: Is Sen. Robert Menendez on trial — and was his co-defendant convicted on prostitution charges — as an online meme says?

A: No. Menendez was tried on corruption charges last year, but was not convicted. His co-defendant was found guilty of defrauding Medicare in an unrelated case.

A Misleading $17 Million Hush Money Claim

A Misleading $17 Million Hush Money Claim

Q: Has $17 million in taxpayer money been spent on sexual harassment settlements for members of Congress?

A: No. That figure also includes payments for other types of settlements, as well as payments on behalf of employees other than members of Congress over a 21-year period.

Viral Photo Doesn’t Show Soros with Ford

Viral Photo Doesn’t Show Soros with Ford

Q: Is there a photo circulating online that shows Christine Blasey Ford with George Soros? 

A: No. The woman featured in the viral photo with Soros isn’t Ford.

After McCain’s Death, a False Claim Resurfaces

After McCain’s Death, a False Claim Resurfaces

Q: Did John McCain “hide the fact that he ‘accidentally’ killed 134 American sailors”?

A: No. He wasn’t responsible for the fatal 1967 accident aboard the USS Forrestal.

Bogus Claim of Voter Fraud in Ohio

Bogus Claim of Voter Fraud in Ohio

Q: Were there “major signs of voter fraud” in Ohio’s congressional special election?

A: No. The Ohio Secretary of State’s office says there have been no reports of voter fraud.

Putting France’s Consent Issue Into Context

Putting France’s Consent Issue Into Context

Q: Did France pass “a law saying having sex with a child is okay”?

A: No. The country already didn’t have a legal consent age. The new law makes it easier to file rape charges against adults who have sex with those 15 or younger. 

False Stories Revive Claim About Trump Salary Donation

False Stories Revive Claim About Trump Salary Donation

Q: Did President Trump donate his $400,000 salary to military cemeteries?

A: No. A year-old viral email makes that claim. But the president does indeed donate his salary to different government initiatives each quarter.

Bogus Claim About LGBT History Lessons

Bogus Claim About LGBT History Lessons

Q: Is California forcing “schools to show kids ‘gay sex’”?

A: No. California law requires the state’s history curriculum to include “the role and contributions of” LGBT people.