President Donald Trump fired off a flurry of immigration-related tweets beginning on Easter morning, but his messages included muddled and inaccurate claims.
FactChecking Trump’s Immigration Tweets
It’s International Fact-Checking Day
Today, April 2, is the second annual International Fact-Checking Day. To mark the occasion, we’ve answered several questions from our readers about fact-checking.
Viral NASA Story Gets Science Wrong
Q: Is NASA “spraying Americans with lithium and other chemicals”?
A: No. The space agency uses such materials, which are also used in fireworks, in the upper atmosphere – way above where planes fly. Experts say it’s “extremely unlikely” even “a minute amount” would reach Earth’s surface.
Emma Stone Didn’t Commend Trump
Q: Did Emma Stone say, “America made a great choice with Donald Trump”?
A: No. There is no record of the actress ever making that comment, or others attributed to her in the same story.
No Seizure of Clinton Foundation Cash
Q: Did British agents seize $400 million from the Clinton Foundation?
A: No. That claim was made up by a satirical website.
Politics Roiled by Royal Wedding Rumors?
Q: Is the White House enraged because Barack Obama, and not President Trump, was invited to the upcoming wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle?
A: The guest list has not been made public, and there’s no evidence that Obama was invited and Trump wasn’t.
No Shootings at ‘March for Our Lives’
Q: Were 19 people shot at a “March for Our Lives” rally?
A: No. A misleading headline, posted on dubious websites, referred to shooting victims elsewhere in Chicago over that weekend.
Andrew McCabe’s Net Worth
Q: Is former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe’s net worth $11 million?
A: A questionable website cited that figure, saying it “may or may not be the reality.” McCabe’s spokeswoman says the claim isn’t true, and we found no evidence to suggest otherwise.
No Truth in ISIS-Obama Speed Dial Story
Q: Did an ISIS leader have former President Obama on speed dial?
A: No. That story was first shared on a website that calls its work satire.
Pelosi Isn’t Calling for Trump’s Impeachment
Q: Has Nancy Pelosi introduced articles of impeachment for Donald Trump?
A: No. The House Democratic leader has repeatedly opposed calls for impeachment.