Q: Did President Barack Obama commission a life-size bronze statue of himself to leave in the White House?
A: No. That fake news story was “intended for entertainment purposes only.”
No Obama Statue in the White House
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.
Fake Dig at ‘Dumb’ Scientists
Q: Did a potential nominee for “chief scientist” at the U.S. Department of Agriculture call scientists “dumb, regular people” who “think dinosaurs actually existed and the Earth is somehow getting warmer”?
A: No. That’s a bogus quote in a fake story by a “News/Satire” website.
Obama Didn’t Scrap Officers’ Memorial Day
Q: Did President Trump reinstate National Peace Officers Memorial Day?
A: No. That claim was made in a fake news story that also falsely said the annual memorial for fallen officers was canceled by former President Obama.
NASA Won’t Pay You to Smoke Weed
Q: Does NASA pay $18,000 for people to stay in bed and smoke weed for 70 straight days?
A: No. NASA conducts bed-rest studies, but it does not allow participants to smoke marijuana or even drink alcohol.
Hollywood Strike Hoax
Q: Did Hollywood celebrities threaten to strike until President Donald Trump resigns?
A: No. That story was made up by a “HYBRID site of news and satire.”
Bogus Bald Eagle Executive Order
Q: Did President Trump sign an executive order making it legal to hunt bald eagles?
A: No. That bogus story was published by a fake news website.
Clinton Cargo Raid Didn’t Happen
Q: Were refugees, weapons and drugs found on a Clinton Foundation cargo ship?
A: No. That is yet another story from a prolific satirical website.
Trump Not Deporting Native Americans
Q: Did President Donald Trump tweet that he will deport American Indians to India?
A: No. This claim comes from a satirical website.
No ‘First Grandma’ Charges
Q: Was Michelle Obama’s mother, Marian Robinson, charged with larceny and fraud?
A: No. That false claim piggybacks on a fake news story that we already wrote about.
Russia’s Ban on Jehovah’s Witnesses
Q: Did President Trump urge Jehovah’s Witnesses to seek asylum in the U.S. after the religious group was banned in Russia?
A: No. A fake news story attributed that statement to Trump.