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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Conspiracy Theory Misinterprets Goals of Gates Foundation

Conspiracy Theory Misinterprets Goals of Gates Foundation

A conspiracy theory falsely claims Bill Gates is plotting to use COVID-19 testing and a future vaccine to track people with microchips. The Gates Foundation has advocated for expanded testing and has funded vaccine research, but neither of those involves implanted microchips.

Martial Law Isn’t ‘Imminent’

Martial Law Isn’t ‘Imminent’

Viral social media posts and videos have falsely claimed that “martial law [is] imminent” in the U.S. Those bogus reports are being pushed in some cases by those who sell emergency and survivalist products.

Fake Coronavirus Cures, Part 1: MMS is Industrial Bleach

Fake Coronavirus Cures, Part 1: MMS is Industrial Bleach

Online posts have claimed to reveal various “cures” for the new coronavirus. Some are benign, like eating boiled garlic, while others are potentially dangerous, like drinking chlorine dioxide, an industrial bleach. Neither will cure the virus.

Baseless Clinton Conspiracy Theory Still Circulating

Baseless Clinton Conspiracy Theory Still Circulating

A Macedonian website is peddling a baseless Hillary Clinton conspiracy theory that has amassed tens of thousands of shares on Facebook. The story implies that Clinton was involved in the deaths of two Baltimore-area law enforcement officers, and makes the unfounded claim that they were scheduled to testify against her.

Misinformation Flows Following Epstein’s Death

Misinformation Flows Following Epstein’s Death

Unfounded claims and baseless conspiracy theories have run rampant in the aftermath of the Aug. 10 death of accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Here we recap some of the stories that we have written so far on the Epstein case.

Baseless Claim About Barr Visit to Epstein Prison

Baseless Claim About Barr Visit to Epstein Prison

A baseless claim that Attorney General William Barr visited the prison where accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein was being held has been circulating online. But the sole source of that claim — a former mob associate — told us he has no idea if Barr went to the prison.

Bogus Conspiracy Theory Claims Epstein is Alive

Bogus Conspiracy Theory Claims Epstein is Alive

A Facebook post from a user who appears to subscribe to QAnon conspiracies claims that Jeffrey Epstein is not dead. The theory is based solely on a news photo that shows an unresponsive Epstein being wheeled into a hospital on a gurney.