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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Images Show IRS Educational Program, Not Training of Agents

Images Show IRS Educational Program, Not Training of Agents

The IRS Criminal Investigation division’s “Adrian Project” educates the public about the IRS through community outreach sessions with high school and college students. Posts on social media are sharing a video from one of the sessions to falsely claim it shows agents in training. The images were posted by a New Jersey university in 2017 and earlier this year.

Poliovirus Found in New York City Wastewater, Not Tap Water

Poliovirus Found in New York City Wastewater, Not Tap Water

Wastewater surveillance is a public health tool that can track the spread of pathogens. The virus that causes polio was detected in New York City sewage as part of such monitoring efforts. Social media posts, however, have incorrectly claimed the virus was found in tap water. Similar claims have been made about the monkeypox virus.

Trump’s Dubious ‘Standing Order’ to Declassify Documents

Trump’s Dubious ‘Standing Order’ to Declassify Documents

After the FBI seized boxes of U.S. documents from Mar-a-Lago — some of them labeled “top secret” — former President Donald Trump claimed he had a “standing order” that documents “taken to the residence were deemed to be declassified.” Numerous experts say that isn’t plausible.

Crude Oil Prices Down Due to Recession Fears, Contributing to Lower Gasoline Prices

Crude Oil Prices Down Due to Recession Fears, Contributing to Lower Gasoline Prices

President Joe Biden and members of his administration have touted the falling gasoline prices, suggesting that the decrease was because of the president’s policies. But U.S. presidents have little control over the price that consumers pay for gasoline. We look at the reasons for the decline in gasoline prices.

U.S. Inflation Rate at ‘Zero’ — for One Month

U.S. Inflation Rate at ‘Zero’ — for One Month

For the month of July, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Customers was unchanged from June. This has triggered a war of words between Democrats, who crow about “zero percent inflation” for July, and Republicans, who say the Democrats are now trying to “deny there’s inflation.” Both have a point.

Kathy Griffin Shares Satirical Trump Tweet, But Not Everyone Is in on the Joke

Kathy Griffin Shares Satirical Trump Tweet, But Not Everyone Is in on the Joke

Dozens of former President Donald Trump’s supporters gathered outside his Florida home to protest a recent FBI search of the building. The activity triggered a satirical tweet falsely attributed to Trump’s eldest son, purportedly telling supporters to disperse, and saying, “We have many important people coming through the club and need to keep it clean.”

Photo Shows Electric Car-sharing Lot in China, Contrary to Facebook Post

Photo Shows Electric Car-sharing Lot in China, Contrary to Facebook Post

Congress has passed a bill that would fund incentives to purchase electric vehicles. But a false claim is circulating on social media that purports to show an “electric car cemetery” in France. The photo actually shows a car-sharing company’s storage lot in China. The cars were to be replaced by updated electric vehicles.

A Guide to Novavax’s COVID-19 Vaccine

A Guide to Novavax’s COVID-19 Vaccine

After a long delay marred by manufacturing troubles, a COVID-19 vaccine from Novavax became the fourth such vaccine authorized in the U.S. We review how it works and how it’s different from its competitors.