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.
Q: Did a law go into effect Jan. 30 banning “anyone” from smoking in a car “as long as there are children in the vehicle”?
A: No. There is no federal prohibition, although several state and local governments previously had enacted such bans.
Q: Are the students who survived the Florida school shooting really “crisis actors”?
A: No. Conspiracy theories have been spreading online to undercut students advocating stricter gun control.
Q: Did Michelle Obama say that the school shooting in Florida was President Donald Trump’s fault?
A: No. That claim is circulating on dubious websites. The former first lady hasn’t said anything like that publicly.
Q: Is the Florida school shooter a registered Democrat?
A: No. Nikolas Cruz isn’t even registered to vote.
Q: Was a teen sentenced to 30 years in prison for killing a refugee who raped his sister?
A: No. That is a made-up headline on an old internet hoax story.
Q: Are Philip Morris “Marlboro M” brand marijuana cigarettes now for sale in four U.S. states?
A: No. That claim comes from a 2014 satirical story. It has recently resurfaced without the satire label.
Q: Were 4 million Democratic votes found to be fraudulent?
A: No. The company that supposedly made the voting machines in question doesn’t appear to exist.
Q: Was a Black Lives Matter activist sued after stealing millions of dollars in donations?
A: No. That scandal was made up by a website that calls itself satirical.
Q: Is Rep. Adam Schiff’s sister married to the son of George Soros?
A: No. The congressman doesn’t even have a sister.
Q: Has the International Astronomical Union reclassified Pluto as a “major planet”?
A: No. That claim was originally published years ago as an April Fool’s joke.