An old clip from a cable news show has been misrepresented by a dubious website to make the false claim that the program’s anchor prayed “for every American to suffer just so Trump won’t get re-elected.”
Website Distorts MSNBC Clip
Stories by Saranac Hale Spencer
Staff Writer, FactCheck.org
Instagram Hoax Nabs Rick Perry
A thoroughly debunked hoax claiming that Instagram users can stop the platform from using their pictures if they post a statement rescinding permission has been circulating again. This time, it ensnared a member of the Trump administration.
Judge in Civil Epstein Case Died in March
Robert Sweet, a federal judge who was overseeing a civil case against Jeffrey Epstein, was not “killed,” as a headline claims, nor did he die in August, as other recently published stories suggest. Sweet died of natural causes in March at age 96.
The Epstein Connections Fueling Conspiracy Theories
Jeffrey Epstein’s connections to former President Bill Clinton and to President Donald Trump have provided the basis for unfounded conspiracy theories about Epstein’s death.
Obama Hasn’t Called For ‘All-Out Gun Confiscation’
A headline circulating on partisan websites distorts former President Barack Obama’s tweet advocating stricter gun laws in the wake of the most recent mass shootings.
Baseless Claim About Barr Visit to Epstein Prison
A baseless claim that Attorney General William Barr visited the prison where accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein was being held has been circulating online. But the sole source of that claim — a former mob associate — told us he has no idea if Barr went to the prison.
Photos Don’t Tell the Whole Story on Border Trash
Old pictures of trash strewn in the Arizona desert are circulating on Facebook with the suggestion that they were taken recently and that the media failed to cover it. Neither of those things is true.
Ivanka Didn’t Wear a Swastika in Colorado
A manipulated photo of Ivanka Trump adds a logo that looks like a swastika to her shirt.
Mass Killings Across America
At least 144 people have died in 31 mass killings in the United States since the beginning of the year. Most of them, 141, died of gunshot wounds. The ages of victims ranged from 1 to 83. We mapped the 31 incidents across the U.S.
FactChecking the Second Democratic Debate
The first of the back-to-back Democratic debates in July included spin from the candidates on gun violence, Republican tax cuts, climate change, manufacturing jobs and more.