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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Meme Falsely Claims Obama Released al-Baghdadi

Meme Falsely Claims Obama Released al-Baghdadi

Various memes circulating online falsely claim that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Islamic State leader who recently died after a U.S. raid, had been released from U.S. military custody under President Barack Obama. He was actually released in 2004, under President George W. Bush.

Misleading Posts Target GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz

Misleading Posts Target GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz

Social media posts distort the facts around an 11-year-old, dismissed DUI charge against Rep. Matt Gaetz. They also leave the false impression that he “stole from dying people.”

Dubious Posts Tie Political Families to Ukraine Work

Dubious Posts Tie Political Families to Ukraine Work

There’s no evidence for social media claims that the children of Nancy Pelosi, Mitt Romney and John Kerry are working for “Ukrainian gas companies” or sitting “on the board of directors for energy companies doing business in Ukraine.”

Posts Resurface Made-up ‘Congressional Reform’ Bill

Posts Resurface Made-up ‘Congressional Reform’ Bill

Viral Facebook posts claim President Donald Trump has endorsed a supposed “Congressional Reform Act of 2017.” But no such bill exists. The text in the posts has circulated for years without references to Trump, and it is riddled with false claims.

Obama Didn’t Authorize ‘Lying’ by the Media

Obama Didn’t Authorize ‘Lying’ by the Media

Social media posts falsely claim that former President Barack Obama signed a bill that made it permissible for “the media” to get “away with lying.” The bill had no bearing on private media outlets or what they can report.

Instagram Post Falsely Links Flu Vaccine to Polio

Instagram Post Falsely Links Flu Vaccine to Polio

A popular Instagram post falsely claims “over 1,100 people died from reactions to the [flu] shot” in 2018, and suggests that the immunization gave some children polio. The flu vaccine cannot give anyone polio and there is no evidence to support the 1,100 figure.