On April 12 2023, an Imgur user uploaded a screenshot of a tweet asserting that workers in certain professions (logging, roofing, and sanitation among them) had “statistically more dangerous jobs” across the board than law enforcement offic
Publication: TruthOrFiction
Truth or Fiction?→ Clarence Thomas’ Right-Wing Benefactor Helped Ginni Thomas Become a Lobbyist
The right-wing real estate mogul who reportedly lavished Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas with undisclosed vacations also financed Virginia “Ginni” Thomas’ foray into becoming a lobbyist fighting what was described as a “cu
Truth or Fiction?→ Kid Rock ‘Cool, Daddy Cool’ Lyrics and ‘Grooming’
On April 11 2023m a meme that purportedly quoted lyrics from right-wing pop singer Kid Rock about “underage” girls and “young ladies” was shared to Twitter: pic.twitter.com/TfEhVl1UVp — Constructing Postcapitalism (@CP
Truth or Fiction?→ New Study is Last Call for Disinformation about ‘Healthy’ Moderate Drinking
A new study by Canadian researchers not only sheds corrective light on previous studies on the effects of alcohol — it also pierces through decades of folklore and corporate messaging on the subject. “It’s often been thought that wine
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Woke Free Tampons’ and ‘Period Poverty’ in the United States
On April 5 2023, a Reddit user shared a link about “woke free tampons” and “period poverty” to the subreddit r/politics: Teens, experts say free period products in schools isn’t ‘woke’ — it’s
Truth or Fiction?→ Twitter Adds ‘State-Affiliated Media’ Label to NPR
On April 5 2023, a Reddit user shared a screenshot indicating that Twitter had abruptly applied a “state-affiliated media” label to the main feed for the National Public Radio network: I’m very close to deleting Twitter by
Truth or Fiction?→ The Disinformation Panic Around ‘Boycotting’ Dylan Mulvaney and Bud Light
The announcement that trans actress Dylan Mulvaney was working with the Bud Light brand of beers sent right-wing media organizations and bloggers into a transphobic fit — with a predictably ahistorical bent. As the LGBTQ news site Them reported,
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Ohio’s Strict New Voter ID Law’ Tweet
On April 4 2023, Imgur u/SugarTeet shared a screenshot of a tweet which warned voters in Ohio that a “new voter ID [identification]” law went into effect “TODAY”: Ohio's strict new voter ID law goes into effect TODAY Here
Truth or Fiction?→ Tennessee Republicans Move to Expel Democratic Colleagues Following Gun Control Protest
On April 4 2023, a popular post to Reddit’s r/politics described an attempt to expel three Nashville, Tennessee Democrats from the state House over a “gun control protest”: Chants of ‘Fascists!’ Ring Out as Tenn
Truth or Fiction?→ Lauren Boebert ‘We Are Not A Democracy’ Quote
On March 30 2023, a screenshot shared to Reddit suggested Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colorado) said of the United States that “we are not a democracy”: She is so dumb by u/DaFunkJunkie in WhitePeopleTwitter No date
Truth or Fiction?→ San Jose Police Union ‘Grandma’ Charged in Federal Fentanyl Shipping Probe
A top official in the police union representing officers in San Jose, California was accused by federal officials of using union resources as part of a scheme to import a synthetic “analogue” to fentanyl. According to a statement from the U
Truth or Fiction?→ 2013 Video of Pat Robertson Discussing Transgender People Resurfaces
On March 29 2023, amid escalating attacks on transgender people, journalist Miguel Petrosky shared a clip of far-right televangelist and disinformation purveyor Pat Robertson purportedly espousing a message of tolerance: This video of Pat Robertsonâ€
Truth or Fiction?→ DeSantis, Disney, and the ‘Rule Against Perpetuities’
On March 29 2023, two popular posts on Reddit referenced a conflict between Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), part of broader discourse involving a “rule against perpetuities.” Background In April 2022, we published a fact check abo
Truth or Fiction?→ FDA Approves Narcan for Over-The-Counter Sales
On March 29 2023, a popular post to Reddit’s r/UpliftingNews and a viral tweet both reported that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved over-the-counter sales of Narcan: Today, the US FDA approved Narcan (naloxone) n
Truth or Fiction?→ Wyoming, Obamacare, and Abortion Bans
On March 28 2023 a Reddit user shared an image-based post, which contained a claim that a proposed abortion ban in Wyoming was “blocked due to [an] Obamacare-era amendment”: Wyoming abortion ban blocked due to Obamacare era amend
Truth or Fiction?→ Texas Journalists Rally to Save Progressive Magazine
The staff at the progressive Texas Observer magazine has raised more than $219,000 in an effort to stay open, less than a week after its managing board unilaterally voted to shut the publication down. The online fundraising effort, created on March 27
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Ruby Bridges’ Movie Banned in Florida School
On March 28 2023, popular posts on Reddit and Twitter referenced a controversy over a movie about Ruby Bridges at an elementary school in Florida. Journalist Judd Legum published a Twitter thread about the film Ruby Bridges, and summarized the events
Truth or Fiction?→ Google Maps ‘Shooting in Nashville’ Marker
Following the March 27 2023 Covenant School shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, a purported Google Maps screenshot referencing the incident was shared to Reddit’s r/ABoringDystopia: Dystopian Maps Alert. Welcome to the US. by u/take
Truth or Fiction?→ Is Ohio State University Advising Students Against Voting in Person on Election Day for Reasons Related to Financial Aid?
On March 27 2023, journalist Sam Levine tweeted about Ohio State University’s purported warning to students about “voting in person on election day” and their financial aid packages: Wow — Ohio State University is advising stu
Truth or Fiction?→ Sun Tzu ‘Rule Over Ashes’ Quote
On March 25 2023, Facebook page “The Other 98%” shared a quote attributed to Sun Tzu; several individual Facebook users followed suit with various iterations of the phrase and attribution: An evil man will burn his own nation to the ground
Truth or Fiction?→ A Recent History of George Soros Conspiracy Theories
If you have spent any time on the internet since 2016 — and who hasn’t? — you’ll be familiar with right wing bugbear George Soros, an extremely rich philanthropist who donates generously to liberal and progressive causes, and i
Truth or Fiction?→ Donald Trump Holds Rally in Waco, 30 Years After Waco Siege
On March 24 2023, an Imgur account shared a tweet about former United States President Donald Trump staging a rally in Waco, Texas, from his niece Mary Trump: Donald has a rally in Waco this Saturday [March 25 2023]. It’s a ploy to remind his cu
Truth or Fiction?→ Afroman Raided, Sued by Police for Using Footage
On March 24 2023, the most popular post on Reddit’s r/all was a post about musician Afroman — who made a music video out of a botched raid of his home by Ohio law enforcement — being sued by officers for “emotional distress
Truth or Fiction?→ Tennessee SB 841, ‘Drag Performers Must Register With the Government’
On March 21 2023, Imgur user redbullvodka shared a screenshot of a tweet with a post title indicating that a proposed bill would require “drag performers” to register with the government in Tennessee: Up next: drag performers must register
Truth or Fiction?→ Alex Jones’ $43 Million Bankruptcy Payment Plan Rejected: Report
Conspiracy theorist broadcaster Alex Jones must provide thorough financial records in response to a judge’s order by the end of March 2023, after the bereaved families of victims of the Sandy Hook mass shooting attack rejected his attorneys’
Truth or Fiction?→ Chris Christie ‘Ham Sandwich’ Tweet
On March 19 2023, a screenshot of a tweet attributed to former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie about former U.S. President Donald Trump and “ham sandwiches” began circulating on Twitter: Chris Christie with the Conan O'Brien vibes pic
Truth or Fiction?→ Bannon Ally Charged with Fraud Also Helped Him Spread Disinformation
The 54-year-old billionaire popularly known as “Guo Wengui” not only used other names — he was also involved in several efforts alongside former White House advisor Steve Bannon. Federal prosecutors’ announcement on March 15 202
Truth or Fiction?→ Sen. Steve Drazkowski: ‘I Have Yet to Meet a Person in Minnesota That is Hungry’
On March 15 2023, popular Reddit posts to r/WhitePeopleTwitter and r/nottheonion referenced comments from Sen. Steve Drazkowski (R-Minnesota) about legislation covering school lunches: State Lawmaker Opposed to Free School Lunch Proposal Sa
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘This Photo From the France Pension Strike Last Week Goes So Hard’
On March 14 2023, the account @UnionDrip shared a photograph to Twitter, adding that the image, which was described as being “from the France pension strike” in March 2023 “goes so hard”: This photo from the France pension str
Truth or Fiction?→ New York Court: Fox News ‘Turned a Blind Eye’ to Guests’ Election Disinformation
The right-wing Fox “news” channel must face a second defamation lawsuit for promoting election deniers following Donald Trump’s resounding loss to Joe Biden in 2020. The New York State Supreme Court ruled on March 8 2023 that a $2.7 b
Truth or Fiction?→ Texas Judge Sought to ‘Hide’ Abortion Pill Hearing Information
On March 14 2023, a popular post to Reddit’s r/politics claimed that a Texas judge intended to “hide” an “abortion hearing,” linking to a post on the legal blog AboveTheLaw.com: As first reported by the Washington Post, Ju
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Ivermectin Influencer’ Dead at 50
On March 13 2023, popular posts to Imgur and Reddit suggested that an “ivermectin influencer” named Danny Lemoi had died from one of its side effects: . Reddit’s r/LeopardsAteMyFace was a subreddit based on a viral October 2015 twee
Truth or Fiction?→ California’s Shasta County Drops Dominion Voting Machines Due to Unfounded Conspiracy Theories
On March 13 2023, a post to Reddit’s r/California_Politics reported that northern California’s Shasta County had just “dumped” Dominion voting machines, “leaving its election operations up in the air”: [Sh
Truth or Fiction?→ Etsy Sellers Affected by SVB Collapse
After the collapse of tech-industry favorite Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) on March 10 2023 (quickly followed by the collapses of Signature Bank and Silvergate), several popular social media posts indicated that sellers on the popular platform Etsy were ex
Truth or Fiction?→ Nikola Tesla: ‘You Will Live To See Man-Made Horrors Beyond Your Comprehension’ Quote
On March 9 2023, a Reddit user shared a quote about “man-made horrors beyond your comprehension” to the subreddit r/Damnthatsinteresting: A quote made by Nikola Tesla shortly before his death in 1943. He died bankrupt and alone d
Truth or Fiction?→ Lawyer Jenna Ellis Acknowledges Election Deception, is Censured in Colorado
On March 9 2023, a screenshot of a headline that indicated Trump administration lawyer Jenna Ellis had acknowledged “misrepresenting … claims” that the 2020 election was “stolen” appeared on Imgur: “Please don’
Truth or Fiction?→ How the Court of Public Opinion Shifted on the Infamous McDonald’s Coffee Lawsuit
Derided for years as a comedic (at best) example of a frivolous lawsuit, the story of Stella Liebeck’s legal battle with the McDonald’s fast food chain has been the subject of a critical reappraisal. The 1994 case, Liebeck v. McDonalds, ste
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘After No Fault Divorce Was Legalized in 1970, Female Suicide Rates Dropped 20 Percent’
On March 8 2023 — International Women’s Day — an Imgur account circulated with a screenshot of a tweet by attorney Qasim Rashid, claiming that “female suicide rates” fell 20 percent in the years after no-fault divorce wa
Truth or Fiction?→ Elon Musk Apologizes After Mocking Disabled Twitter Worker
Twitter owner Elon Musk backtracked on March 7 2023 after engaging in public mockery of one of the platform’s employees trying to find out whether he still had a job. Musk had claimed that Haraldur “Halli” Thorleiffson was not doing a
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘A New Law In Iran … Forces Female Pharmacists’ to Wear a Black Hijab, Male Pharmacists ‘Are Wearing It As Well to Mock This Law’
A March 7 2023 post to Reddit’s r/interestingasfuck asserted that a then “new law in Iran” had mandated that female pharmacists wear black hijabs only (prohibiting other colors), adding that in response, male pharmacists wore their ow