Q: Did Rep. Trey Gowdy end the Russia investigation?
A: No. That claim was made in a headline that wasn’t supported by its story.
Trey Gowdy Didn’t End Russia Probe
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.
No Arrests for Impeachment Attempt
Q: Were two U.S. senators charged with trying to impeach President Donald Trump under false pretenses?
A: No. That story originated on a prolific satire website.
Obama Didn’t Attend G-20 in 2017
Q: Did former President Barack Obama follow President Donald Trump to the G-20 summit in Hamburg, Germany?
A: No. That claim was made on websites that don’t “make any warranties” about the reliability of their information.
Indiana Didn’t Legalize Marijuana
Q: Did Indiana legalize marijuana?
A: No. That fake story comes from a website that invites visitors to “Create A Prank And Trick All Your Friends!”
Phony Pelosi Drug Arrests
Q: Were Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s daughters arrested for smuggling cocaine into the U.S.?
A: No. That story and several spin-offs were intended as satire.
A Fake Paul Ryan Quote
Q: Did House Speaker Paul Ryan say “22 million Americans choose to be poor, so it’s their own problem if they can’t afford to be healthy”?
A: No. That fake quote comes from a satirical news story.
No Obama $1 Bill
Q: Is the Federal Reserve putting former President Barack Obama on the $1 bill?
A: No. That claim comes from a recycled fake news story.
A Fake Sean Spicer Quote
Q: Did White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer say President Donald Trump has the “legal ability and right to cancel and disband” the Supreme Court?
A: No. That’s a made-up quote from a satirical story.
A Fake Supreme Court Ruling
Q: Did the Supreme Court rule that immigrants living in the U.S. illegally can’t sue anyone if they feel they’ve been mistreated?
A: No. That claim was made in a bogus story published on satirical and fake news websites.
Twisting the Facts on a Draft Executive Order
Q: Did President Donald Trump sign an executive order that prevents immigrants living in the U.S. without legal permission from receiving welfare?
A: No. Some bogus websites have twisted the facts about a draft executive order that Trump has not signed.