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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Baseless Conspiracy Theories Follow Key Bridge Collapse

Baseless Conspiracy Theories Follow Key Bridge Collapse

The Francis Scott Key Bridge near Baltimore collapsed after being hit by a cargo ship in the early morning on March 26. Although all evidence points to an accident, conspiracy theorists spread the baseless claim that it was intentionally caused by a “cyber-attack.” Officials have dismissed the claim.

Posts Make Ominous, Unfounded Claims About April 8 Eclipse Preparations

Posts Make Ominous, Unfounded Claims About April 8 Eclipse Preparations

Local governments are preparing residents for an influx of visitors during the April 8 solar eclipse that will be most visible along a narrow path through the U.S., with one Oklahoma county inviting the National Guard for support. But social media posts baselessly claim the preparations suggest “something catastrophic” will occur during the eclipse.

Post Misrepresents Which Administration Sent Stimulus Checks to Dead People

Post Misrepresents Which Administration Sent Stimulus Checks to Dead People

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, some stimulus checks were sent to people who had died. The issue was explained in government reports and the media when it happened in 2020. But a social media post has resurrected the issue and falsely claimed that it occurred during the Biden administration. It actually happened during the Trump administration.

Photo Shows 1924 KKK March in Wisconsin, Not Democratic Convention in NYC

Photo Shows 1924 KKK March in Wisconsin, Not Democratic Convention in NYC

The Ku Klux Klan caused a divisive Democratic National Convention in 1924 but failed to nominate its preferred candidate. A social media post shows a photo of a Klan march to falsely claim it depicts Democratic delegates at the convention in New York. But the photo is from a Klan funeral march later that year in Wisconsin.

Posts Distort Missouri Divorce Law Regarding Pregnancy

Posts Distort Missouri Divorce Law Regarding Pregnancy

There’s no law in Missouri that prevents pregnant women from getting divorced. But social media posts claim Missouri women “cannot divorce their spouse if they are pregnant.” Legal experts told us a judge may wait to finalize a divorce until after a baby is born to determine custody and other arrangements.

Posts Make Baseless Claim About Net Worth of Ocasio-Cortez

Posts Make Baseless Claim About Net Worth of Ocasio-Cortez

Democratic U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York reported having $60,000 at most in bank accounts and other savings and as much as $50,000 in student loan debt in her 2023 financial disclosure report. But social media posts baselessly claim that since becoming a member of Congress, she is “a verified multi-millionaire.”

Role of Illinois Circuit Court Judge Misrepresented in Post About Trump’s Removal from Ballot

Role of Illinois Circuit Court Judge Misrepresented in Post About Trump’s Removal from Ballot

The Supreme Court ruled that states may not remove former President Donald Trump from primary ballots based on the Constitution’s insurrection clause. A few days before the ruling, an Instagram post claimed a “traffic court judge” had ruled Trump shouldn’t appear on Illinois’ ballot — misrepresenting Tracie Porter’s role as an Illinois circuit court judge.

Posts Misrepresent Rescue of Crew from Ship Attacked by Houthis

Posts Misrepresent Rescue of Crew from Ship Attacked by Houthis

A missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi militants damaged a British-owned cargo ship on the Red Sea on Feb. 18 and forced its crew to evacuate. Some social media posts falsely claimed the Houthis “made sure to rescue” the 24-member crew. U.S. Central Command said the crew was rescued by a “coalition warship along with another merchant vessel.”

Study Largely Confirms Known, Rare COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects

Study Largely Confirms Known, Rare COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects

An international study of around 99 million people confirmed known serious side effects of COVID-19 vaccination. It also identified a possible relationship between the first dose of the Moderna vaccine and a small risk of a neurological condition. Social media posts about the study left out information on the vaccines’ benefits and the rarity of the side effects.

Posts Use Bogus Document to Falsely Claim Zelenskyy Plans Move to Florida

Posts Use Bogus Document to Falsely Claim Zelenskyy Plans Move to Florida

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has traveled throughout the world seeking support for Ukraine’s effort to resist Russia’s invasion, but he has always returned to his war-torn country. Some social media posts — showing a fake naturalization document — falsely claim preparations are underway to bring him to the United States.