A not-so-fond look back at the worst viral deceptions of the year.
The Viral Spiral of 2018
Stories by D'Angelo Gore
Staff Writer, FactCheck.org
Trump Wrong About Poverty ‘Record’
The U.S. Census Bureau officially estimates that close to 1 million fewer people were in poverty in 2017 compared with 2016. President Donald Trump called the decline “a record,” but it’s not.
FactChecking the Trump-Pelosi-Schumer Scuffle
In a contentious Oval Office meeting, President Donald Trump and the Democratic congressional leaders — Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer — disagreed over funding for a border wall, mangling some facts in the process.
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.
Trump Misuses Data in 9th Circuit Attack
President Donald Trump wrongly tweeted that the largest federal appellate court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, is “overturned more than any circuit in the country, 79%.”
The 2018 FactCheck Awards
We highlight the unique and unusual campaign videos from the midterm elections.
Republican Closing Ads: Immigration
In the final days of the 2018 election, Republicans across the country are running TV ads about immigration that falsely accuse some Democrats of wanting “open borders,” plotting to “abolish ICE,” supporting “sanctuary cities” and more.
Trump Stump Speeches: Economy
President Donald Trump is proud of his economic record, and he points to some key economic indicators with great delight. But he doesn’t always stick to the facts out on the campaign trail when he talks to his supporters.
Trump Stump Speeches: Immigration
Here we look at some of the false, misleading and unsupported claims the president has made about immigration in seven speeches over 12 days, from Erie, Pennsylvania, to Missoula, Montana.
Donnelly’s Hearings Attendance Record
Several Republican TV ads attacking Sen. Joe Donnelly have claimed the Indiana Democrat has “missed 1 in 5 committee hearings” since he took office in 2013. Actually, Donnelly attended nearly 95 percent of public committee and subcommittee hearings during that time.