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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

What We Know About Political Violence in America

What We Know About Political Violence in America

President Donald Trump and others in his circle have portrayed political violence as a problem exclusively or mostly on the left, which has then been used as justification for proposals that seek to crack down on left-leaning groups. While there is evidence of a rise in left-wing violence in recent years, data show that political violence in America spans the ideological spectrum.

Lawmakers’ Health Care, Government Shutdown Claims

Lawmakers’ Health Care, Government Shutdown Claims

Democrats and Republicans have sparred over Democratic demands to address health care issues in a government funding bill, with the standoff leading to the first government shutdown since 2019. We’ll provide the facts on two talking points each side is using to blame the other for the shutdown.

Evidence Behind Comey Indictment Is Unclear

Evidence Behind Comey Indictment Is Unclear

Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted by a federal grand jury on Sept. 25 for lying to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding. In this story, we cover the few details we know about the indictment and what Comey told Congress.

Trump Administration’s Problematic Claims on Tylenol and Autism

Trump Administration’s Problematic Claims on Tylenol and Autism

In a Sept. 22 press conference that he had billed as “one of the biggest [medical] announcements … in the history of our country,” President Donald Trump touted an unproven link between autism and the use of Tylenol, or acetaminophen, during pregnancy.

Repeated Falsehoods at Autism Press Conference

Repeated Falsehoods at Autism Press Conference

An hourlong press conference about autism was filled with false and misleading claims about the condition and vaccines from President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., many of which we have written about before.

Viral Claims About Charlie Kirk’s Words

Viral Claims About Charlie Kirk’s Words

Since the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk on Sept. 10, social media users have shared posts showing, quoting or paraphrasing remarks the posts attribute to the conservative activist. Many readers have asked us to provide the facts on whether Kirk, the founder of the youth political group Turning Point USA, made several of these comments.

After Kirk’s Death, a False Social Media Post on Partisan Reaction to Violence

After Kirk’s Death, a False Social Media Post on Partisan Reaction to Violence

After the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, social media claims offering political views of the assassination and the reaction to it quickly spread. One message falsely claimed that “not a single Republican condemned” the targeted shooting of a Democratic politician in Minnesota in June. Many Republicans, including President Donald Trump, condemned it.

COVID Vaccines Are Harder to Get, Despite Claims from HHS, RFK Jr.

COVID Vaccines Are Harder to Get, Despite Claims from HHS, RFK Jr.

Heated exchanges between some senators and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a Sept. 4 hearing amplified confusion about the availability of COVID-19 vaccinations for the fall, with Kennedy misleadingly claiming that “anybody” can still get a vaccine. HHS policies have created roadblocks to vaccine access.