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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Oregon Fire Trucks Fighting L.A. Blazes Didn’t Require ‘Emissions Testing’

Oregon Fire Trucks Fighting L.A. Blazes Didn’t Require ‘Emissions Testing’

Oregon has sent hundreds of firefighters, 75 fire engines and other equipment to help battle the blazes in Southern California. But social media posts falsely claim Oregon’s firefighting vehicles were “being held in Sacramento for emissions testing.” California and Oregon officials said the trucks only go through quick safety inspections.

FactChecking the Vice Presidential Debate

FactChecking the Vice Presidential Debate

Despite a mostly civil debate between Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the two disagreed repeatedly not just on policy, but also on the facts. We referee some of those competing claims, and other factual missteps by the vice presidential candidates.

Viral Posts Make Baseless Claim About Harris’ Earrings at the Debate

Viral Posts Make Baseless Claim About Harris’ Earrings at the Debate

Social media posts baselessly claimed that Vice President Kamala Harris wore earrings equipped with audio devices in order to cheat during her debate with former President Donald Trump. Similar unfounded claims circulated before or after debates in 2016 and 2020 with Trump’s past political opponents.

FactChecking the Harris-Trump Debate

FactChecking the Harris-Trump Debate

The highly anticipated debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris was a combative event in which facts were repeatedly trampled and distorted.

Social Media Posts Twist Harris Campaign’s ‘Joyful’ Message

Social Media Posts Twist Harris Campaign’s ‘Joyful’ Message

Vice President Kamala Harris has referred to participants in the Democratic presidential campaign as “joyful warriors,” and “joy” has been a theme at the party’s rallies and convention. Instagram posts, however, have falsely claimed the phrase “strength through joy,” which echoes a Nazi-era program, has become a Harris campaign slogan.

Post Shares Bogus Lara Trump Quote about Use of Celine Dion Song

Post Shares Bogus Lara Trump Quote about Use of Celine Dion Song

The Trump campaign showed a video of Celine Dion singing the theme from “Titanic” at a rally in Montana, sparking a rebuke from Dion for unauthorized use of the video. A post on Threads then shared a fake quote from Lara Trump responding to Dion saying, “We don’t give a damn” and “I’ll sing the song myself.” The quote originated on a satirical X account.

Posts Use Altered Image of Buttigieg in Battle over Who’s ‘Weird’

Posts Use Altered Image of Buttigieg in Battle over Who’s ‘Weird’

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and his husband adopted two infants in 2021. Social media posts use an altered photo to imply Buttigieg is “weird” and that he used a strap-on device developed so men can breastfeed babies. The original photo is from a 2019 article about the device.

Night 3 of the Republican National Convention

Night 3 of the Republican National Convention

Former President Donald Trump’s newly selected running mate, JD Vance, accepted the Republican Party’s vice presidential nomination on the convention’s third night, which featured claims about the economy, immigration and foreign policy.