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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Bogus Claim About Miss USA Originated on Satirical Website

Bogus Claim About Miss USA Originated on Satirical Website

The Miss USA crown was passed to the runner-up earlier this year, and the Miss Netherlands title went to that country’s first transgender winner in July. Both will compete to be Miss Universe in December. But a Facebook post spreads a bogus claim about Miss USA boycotting the upcoming competition.

Social Media Posts Fabricate DeSantis High School Yearbook Quote

Social Media Posts Fabricate DeSantis High School Yearbook Quote

Earlier this year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ high school yearbook photo was posted to Reddit by a person claiming to be a former schoolmate. But Instagram posts show an altered version of the yearbook entry that includes a fake quote from DeSantis referencing rapper Sir Mix-a-Lot and Nintendo 64.

Online Post Misrepresents 2020 Wisconsin Voter Data, Turnout

Online Post Misrepresents 2020 Wisconsin Voter Data, Turnout

Nearly 3.3 million votes were cast in the 2020 presidential election in Wisconsin, which the state calculated as a record turnout of 73%. A social media post tries to cast doubt on the results by citing incomplete data and claiming it shows “a registered voter turnout of 94%.”

Social Media Posts Fabricate a Political Endorsement by Altering Lady Gaga Photo

Social Media Posts Fabricate a Political Endorsement by Altering Lady Gaga Photo

Lady Gaga campaigned for Joe Biden during the 2020 election and performed at his inauguration. But viral social media posts use an altered photo to falsely make it appear she has endorsed Donald Trump for president in 2024. The performer, who has been highly critical of Trump, has not made a public endorsement in the 2024 race.

Posts Misleadingly Equate Gun Case Against Hunter Biden With Rapper Kodak Black

Posts Misleadingly Equate Gun Case Against Hunter Biden With Rapper Kodak Black

Hunter Biden, who has no prior criminal history, has reached a plea deal that would avoid jail time for a gun-related charge. Some conservative commentators claim the president’s son is getting special treatment, misleadingly equating his case with one involving a rapper who had a criminal record before getting a 46-month sentence for two gun-related charges.

Sam Bankman-Fried Under House Arrest and Awaiting Trial, Contrary to Online Claims

Sam Bankman-Fried Under House Arrest and Awaiting Trial, Contrary to Online Claims

FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried was arrested in 2022 for allegedly defrauding customers by stealing billions of dollars for personal use, including nearly $38 million in political donations to Democrats. Online posts falsely claim the Biden administration has dropped all charges against Bankman-Fried. But he is under house arrest and awaiting trial.

Viral Posts Distort Greta Thunberg Tweet Warning About Climate Change

Viral Posts Distort Greta Thunberg Tweet Warning About Climate Change

A Harvard University professor warned in 2018 that steps were needed over the next five years to reduce carbon pollution to preserve Arctic ice. Climate activist Greta Thunberg then shared a tweet that misquoted the professor. But recent social media posts have distorted Thunberg’s tweet to falsely claim she predicted human extinction by 2023.

Misleading Online Posts Distort Biden’s Joke at Meeting with Indian Prime Minister

Misleading Online Posts Distort Biden’s Joke at Meeting with Indian Prime Minister

In a meeting with the Indian prime minister and CEOs of technology companies, President Joe Biden joked about Republican investigations into him and his family. “I sold a lot of state secrets and a lot of very important things,” he joked, and added, “Now, all kidding aside.” But a viral video has been misleadingly edited to omit Biden saying that he was joking.

Posts Misrepresent Pentagon Accounting Errors in Ukraine Aid

Posts Misrepresent Pentagon Accounting Errors in Ukraine Aid

The Pentagon discovered accounting errors that overestimated how much it had spent on aid for Ukraine by $6.2 billion over two years. But social media posts misinterpreted the discovery to falsely claim the U.S. “lost” $6.2 billion or laundered money through Ukraine. The $6.2 billion will be added to future aid packages for Ukraine.

Viral Video Makes False Claim About Pride Month Flag Display

Viral Video Makes False Claim About Pride Month Flag Display

Rockefeller Center is celebrating Pride Month with a display of rainbow flags to show it is “an inclusive and diverse space for all.” But an Instagram post uses an image of Pride flags at Rockefeller Center while falsely claiming it shows the “United Nations replaces all 193 country flags with LGBT flags.” The U.N. never changes its flag display, a spokesperson said.