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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Online Videos Share Fabricated Story About FEMA and Marines on Maui

Online Videos Share Fabricated Story About FEMA and Marines on Maui

The Federal Emergency Management Agency operates a Disaster Recovery Center on Maui and has approved $7 million in assistance to thousands of wildfire survivors. Online videos, however, are sharing a fabricated tale about FEMA’s operations, including a “shootout” with U.S. Marines. The bogus story originated on a satirical website.

FactChecking Trump’s Interview with Carlson

FactChecking Trump’s Interview with Carlson

In lieu of joining his fellow Republican presidential candidates in the Aug. 23 debate, former President Donald Trump granted an interview to former Fox News host Tucker Carlson — who posted it to X minutes before the debate began. Trump made several familiar false and misleading claims.

Viral Video Repeats Bogus Claim About Vaccines and Visible Ailments

Viral Video Repeats Bogus Claim About Vaccines and Visible Ailments

A video repeating the claim that COVID-19 vaccines are responsible for the sudden onset of various visible ailments — such as fainting and facial paralysis — is making the rounds, again. But, just like the other, similar posts we’ve addressed, there’s no support for this one, either.

High Winds, Drought Conditions Led to Maui Fires, No Evidence Intentionally Set

High Winds, Drought Conditions Led to Maui Fires, No Evidence Intentionally Set

It’s not known what sparked the wildfires in Maui, although some evidence points to downed power lines. The conditions were ripe for fire, as large amounts of invasive grasses were dry due to drought and high winds helped to rapidly spread flames. Bogus posts on social media, however, are baselessly claiming the fires were intentionally set.

Injection Protects Babies from RSV Hospitalization, Has Not Been Linked to Deaths

Injection Protects Babies from RSV Hospitalization, Has Not Been Linked to Deaths

Each year, respiratory syncytial virus hospitalizes 58,000 to 80,000 children under age 5 in the U.S. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved an antibody injection for babies to protect them during the RSV season. There isn’t evidence the shots have killed any babies, contrary to social media claims.

Posts Misrepresent Military’s Response to Maui Wildfires

Posts Misrepresent Military’s Response to Maui Wildfires

The White House declared the site of the Maui wildfires a disaster area, and the Department of Defense has provided more than 400 troops, air support and other resources in firefighting and recovery efforts. Yet posts on Instagram misrepresent the federal response and one falsely claimed “the military is standing down.”

Biden Cherry-Picks Unemployment Record

Biden Cherry-Picks Unemployment Record

In recent speeches touting so-called Bidenomics, President Joe Biden has repeatedly cited the statistic that “unemployment has been below 4% for the longest stretch in over 50 years.” That’s true, but there’s some cherry-picking going on.

Q&A on Trump’s Georgia Indictment

Q&A on Trump’s Georgia Indictment

For the fourth time in a little more than four months, former President Donald Trump was indicted. Here we answer some questions about the Georgia state indictment, as we did for two federal indictments and a state indictment that was brought against Trump in New York.

Trump’s Co-Conspirators in Georgia

Trump’s Co-Conspirators in Georgia

In addition to former President Donald Trump, the indictment handed up by a state grand jury in Georgia names 18 defendants. Here we identify them and what they are alleged to have done.