Q: Did a 79-year-old woman with an AK-47 save two police officers?
A: No. That made-up story was written as satire and dates back to 2015.
Gun-toting Grandma Story Is Made Up
Debunking Viral Claims
These articles debunk misinformation shared on social media. We also provide resources for readers: an article and a video on how to combat misinformation.
From late 2016 to early 2025, FactCheck.org was one of several organizations working with Meta to debunk misinformation shared on Meta’s social media platforms.
Bezos Didn’t Endorse Michelle Obama for 2020
Q: Is Jeff Bezos running full-page “Michelle Obama for President” ads on Amazon?
A: No. Amazon vendors sell items expressing support for numerous possible 2020 presidential candidates, including Obama.
CNN Not Shutting Down
Q: Is CNN going to shut down because of poor TV ratings?
A: No. There is no evidence to support that headline from a known purveyor of viral deceptions.
No New Charges for Maxine Waters
Q: Has Rep. Maxine Waters recently been “charged on 3 counts”?
A: No. The California Democrat was investigated for ethics violations following a 2008 meeting, but she was found to have broken no rules.
No Antifa Connection in Texas School Shooting
Q: Did the school shooter in Santa Fe, Texas wear an Antifa insignia?
A: No. There is no evidence that he was a member of that loose organization of activists.
Santa Fe Gunman Didn’t Proclaim ‘Love for Obama’
Q: Did the alleged gunman in the deadly shooting at Santa Fe High School confess “love for Obama”?
A: No. That story was first published on a self-described satirical website.
Deadly ‘Pot’ Not Approved by The FDA
Q: Did an FDA-approved form of “synthetic marijuana” lead to recent deaths in Illinois?
A: No. The drugs that have killed four people in the last two months are unregulated and illegal.
False Story Ties Clintons to Doctor’s Death
Q: Did the late surgeon Dean Lorich expose “Clinton Foundation corruption in Haiti”?
A: No. Lorich co-authored an article criticizing the medical response to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, not the Clinton Foundation.
No Arrests of ‘Sanctuary City’ Leaders
Q: Did President Donald Trump have the leaders of so-called “sanctuary cities” arrested?
A: No. Federal officials have discussed reviewing whether charges can be brought, but there have been no such arrests.
No Evidence Ryan Violated Campaign Finance Laws
Q: Did House Speaker Paul Ryan break campaign finance laws in a meeting with donor Sheldon Adelson?
A: He met with Adelson (which is legal), but there’s no evidence he solicited a $30 million donation for a Republican super PAC (which would be illegal).