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.
Joe Arpaio Not Named to Replace John McCain
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.
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.
Bogus Claim of Voter Fraud in Ohio
Q: Were there “major signs of voter fraud” in Ohio’s congressional special election?
A: No. The Ohio Secretary of State’s office says there have been no reports of voter fraud.
Stories Conflate Immigration Issues
Q: Did the Obama administration separate “72,410 Children From Their Families in 2013”?
A: That’s the number of immigrants removed that year who had U.S.-born children. But viral stories wrongly conflate removals with President Trump’s zero tolerance policy.
Unsupported Claim About Black Lives Matter Is Revived on Facebook
Q: Does a viral claim accusing Black Lives Matter activists of mugging a woman provide any evidence?
A: No, it doesn’t. The claim takes an actual story about a 2016 mugging and adds that unsupported accusation.
Jennifer Garner Supported Hillary Clinton
Q: Did actress Jennifer Garner say, “I’m joining Trump train”?
A: There is no evidence of that. Garner supported Hillary Clinton for president in 2016.
Noncitizens Get Narrow Access to Polls in San Francisco
Q: Has San Francisco given noncitizens “the right to vote in elections”?
A: Yes, but only in San Francisco school board elections and only for parents, guardians or legal caregivers of children in the city’s schools.