Q: Did the Obama White House hold Islamic prayer five times a day, and provide prayer rugs for Muslim employees and visitors?
A: No. This is a hoax perpetuated by a satirical news website.
Phony Prayer Rug Story
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.
Justice Ginsburg Not Resigning
Q: Is Ruth Bader Ginsburg resigning from the Supreme Court?
A: No. That claim was made in a fake news article based on a satirical story that said Ginsburg would resign if Donald Trump was elected president.
Plane Crew Didn’t Rebuff Obama
Q: Did the crew of Air Force One refuse to fly President Obama to play golf?
A: No. It’s a fake news story specifically targeting “conservative readers.”
A Fake Mike Pence Quote
Q: Did Mike Pence call Michelle Obama “the most vulgar first lady we’ve ever had”?
A: No. That is a made-up quote and story from a self-described “news/satire” website.
No ‘First Grandma’ Pension
Q: Will Marian Robinson, Barack Obama’s mother-in-law, receive a $160,000 government pension for babysitting her granddaughters during Obama’s time as president?
A: No. That false rumor originated from a fake news website.