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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Posts Spread Digitally Altered Image of Harris with Sean Combs

Posts Spread Digitally Altered Image of Harris with Sean Combs

Following the arrest of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs for sex trafficking and other charges, social media users — including former President Donald Trump — shared a digitally altered photo that purports to show Combs with Vice President Kamala Harris. The original image actually shows Harris with then-talk show host Montel Williams in 2001.

Posts Misrepresent Vance’s Comments About His Pet Dog

Posts Misrepresent Vance’s Comments About His Pet Dog

Sen. JD Vance introduced his dog during a recent interview with Tucker Carlson in an effort to debunk rumors that the family pet was rented to enhance the Republican vice presidential nominee’s image. But social media posts are highlighting a brief clip of the interview to falsely claim Vance “admits he has a ‘rent-a-dog.'”

NRA Posts Misrepresent Harris’ Position on Gun Ownership

NRA Posts Misrepresent Harris’ Position on Gun Ownership

Vice President Kamala Harris supports a ban on the sale of so-called assault weapons, but no longer supports a mandatory buyback program for such guns. The National Rifle Association misleadingly claims that Harris will “ban law-abiding Americans from owning” guns and “seize your legally owned guns.”  Her proposal would not ban all guns or seize any guns.

What We Know About Ryan Routh’s Political Affiliations

What We Know About Ryan Routh’s Political Affiliations

Rumors about Ryan Wesley Routh, who staked out Trump International Golf Club in Florida on Sept. 15, have been flying on social media. Some claim he “is a registered democrat.” Others claim he “is a Republican.” Routh was once registered as a Democrat, but said he voted for Donald Trump in 2016. He is not currently registered with any party.

Apparent Assassination Attempt on Trump Sparks Unfounded Claims of ‘Inside Job’

Apparent Assassination Attempt on Trump Sparks Unfounded Claims of ‘Inside Job’

The arrest of Ryan Wesley Routh in an apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump has sparked unfounded claims online that Routh had “inside” knowledge of Trump’s plans. Public reports about Trump’s schedule indicated his likely whereabouts, and evidence shows Routh staked out the site for about 12 hours.

False Claims of Backlash to Taylor Swift’s Endorsement of Harris

False Claims of Backlash to Taylor Swift’s Endorsement of Harris

Pop star Taylor Swift endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president on Sept. 10. Social media posts falsely claim that, as a result, Swift’s ticket sales have plummeted and some of her concerts and a major endorsement deal have been canceled. The remaining U.S. shows on Swift’s Eras tour are all sold out, and she has not lost her partnership with Coca-Cola.

Posts Misrepresent Police Reports Preceding Trump Rally in New York

Posts Misrepresent Police Reports Preceding Trump Rally in New York

Former President Donald Trump has been the target of two assassination attempts over the past three months. Viral posts are now spreading the false claim that police discovered explosives in a vehicle near a Trump campaign rally in New York on Sept. 18. Police said the claim is “unfounded.”

Vance’s Misleading Claim About Immigrants and Murders in Springfield, Ohio

Vance’s Misleading Claim About Immigrants and Murders in Springfield, Ohio

Sen. JD Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, circulated a baseless rumor on social media that the residents of Springfield, Ohio, “have had their pets abducted and eaten by” immigrants. Now, Vance has cherry-picked data to make the unfounded claim that immigrants are responsible for an 81% increase in the city’s murders.