Q: Was Nancy Pelosi’s granddaughter seen wiping her nose with the American flag?
A: No. The young woman in a video from one of President Trump’s rallies is not Pelosi’s grandchild.
Girl in Trump Rally Video Not Related to Pelosi
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.
Partisan Site Revives Old Pence Controversy
Q: Was “VP Mike Pence Busted Stealing Campaign Funds To Pay His Mortgage”?
A: He used campaign funds for personal expenses during his run for Congress in 1990, but the Federal Election Commission could not agree on whether he violated campaign finance laws.
False Claim About Kaepernick’s Nike Deal
Q: Did Nike end its new deal with Colin Kaepernick because he made “anti-white” remarks?
A: No. That made-up story was first published by a website that says its work is satire.
Old Spin on Health Care Fraud Bust Returns
Q: Were “412 Michigan Muslims arrested in fed’s ‘largest bust in U.S. history’”?
A: No. Only about 30 of those arrests were made in Michigan, and there is no evidence all of the individuals arrested were Muslim.
Anti-Trump Comment Falsely Linked to Florida Shooter
Q: Did Reddit postings show the shooter in Jacksonville, Florida, was part of the “anti-Trump resistance”?
A: No. The Reddit account in question did not belong to the shooter, David Katz, despite what viral stories said.
Joe Arpaio Not Named to Replace John McCain
Q: Was Joe Arpaio, the former Maricopa County, Arizona, sheriff, appointed to finish John McCain’s term in the Senate?
A: No. That claim is made up — the Arizona governor has not yet named a replacement.
Does Ocasio-Cortez Have ‘Ties’ to Soros?
Q: Is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tied to George Soros?
A: Not directly. Her campaign gained momentum from an interview she gave on an internet show that is supported, in part, by a nonprofit that received a grant from an organization that received funding from a Soros foundation.
Clinton’s Emails, Weiner’s Laptop and a Falsehood
Q: Did the FBI wait until after the 2016 election to review the Hillary Clinton emails found on Anthony Weiner’s laptop?
A: No. A viral story misinterprets an FBI document and ignores widely reported facts.
Pelosi Told Democrats to Win, Not Lie
Q: Did Rep. Nancy Pelosi tell Democrats to lie to get elected?
A: No. She said Democratic candidates who oppose her becoming House speaker again should “do whatever you have to do,” as long as they win.
Cops Kneeling: Still False, A Year Later
Q: Did police officers “take a knee” and then “walk out on” the Washington Redskins?
A: No. That made-up story was first posted by a self-described satirical website last year.