Facebook Twitter Tumblr Close Skip to main content
A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Post Misleads on Congressional Salaries, Social Security

Post Misleads on Congressional Salaries, Social Security

Q: Did members of Congress approve a salary increase for themselves and deny an increase in Social Security benefits? 

A: No. Congress is still contemplating whether to allow an automatic pay increase for its members, and it does not determine cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security beneficiaries.

The ‘Raccoon’ Rant Not Written by Steve Harvey

The ‘Raccoon’ Rant Not Written by Steve Harvey

Q: Did the comedian Steve Harvey author a post in support of President Donald Trump circulating on social media?

A: No. It was written by an anonymous, 80-year-old American, according to the conservative website that first published it in 2016.

Addressing New York’s New Abortion Law

Addressing New York’s New Abortion Law

Q: Does the new New York law allow full-term abortions?

A: The law permits abortions after 24 weeks if a health care professional determines the health or life of the mother is at risk, or the fetus is not viable.

Bibles Aren’t Required for the Oath of Office

Bibles Aren’t Required for the Oath of Office

Q: Did the Supreme Court rule that it is illegal to take the oath of office with anything but the Bible?

A: No. That is a made-up claim that originated on a self-described satirical website.

False Claim of Immigrant Children Deaths Under Obama

False Claim of Immigrant Children Deaths Under Obama

Q: Is it accurate that “18 children died while in custody of Border Patrol” during the Obama administration?

A: No. Prior to two children’s deaths in December, it had been more than a decade since a child died while in the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Several Administrations Used Tear Gas at the Border

Several Administrations Used Tear Gas at the Border

Q: During the Obama administration, did Border Patrol agents use tear gas to control crowds of migrants during incidents at the U.S.-Mexico border?

A: Yes, and the gas was also used by administrations prior to his, news reports say.

Meme Resurrects, and Distorts, 2009 Airport Scuffle

Meme Resurrects, and Distorts, 2009 Airport Scuffle

Q: Did President Barack Obama in 2009 have a journalist named Brenda Lee removed from Air Force One?
A: No. Lee, a newspaper contributor, was physically removed from a press area outside the aircraft in Los Angeles — before Obama arrived. 

Ford Did Not Recant Accusations Against Kavanaugh

Ford Did Not Recant Accusations Against Kavanaugh

Q: Did Christine Blasey Ford recant her accusations of sexual assault against Brett Kavanaugh?

A: No. Comments by President Trump may have left that impression. But he was referring to a little-known case that had nothing to do with Ford.

Viral Meme Misidentifies Nazi Guard as Soros

Viral Meme Misidentifies Nazi Guard as Soros

Q: Is there a bogus viral meme circulating online that purports to show Holocaust survivor George Soros as a Nazi soldier?

A: It is bogus. The photo in the meme is of a Nazi guard who died earlier this year. It is not Soros.