On Halloween 2022, a photograph of Claussen “pickle candy corn” was shared to Facebook by The Big Dill (@worldslargestpickleparty): In an appended status update, The Big Dill wrote: “Honestly i’m cornflicted.” The image d
Publication: TruthOrFiction
Truth or Fiction?→ More Fake Newspapers Distributed Ahead of 2022 Midterms
On November 1 2022, an Imgur account shared photographs of a “fake newspaper,” designed to conceal political talking points as news: Republican Misinformation Disguised as a Local Newspaper Six images were included in the post, but the n
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Victory for the Voters’: Arizona Ballot ‘Watchers’ Ordered to Stay Away from Drop Boxes
The right-wing, conspiracist-minded group that bragged about staking out election drop boxes in Arizona was ordered by a federal judge to stay at least 75 feet away from them, and forbidden from speaking to voters unless spoken to first. Judge Michael
Truth or Fiction?→ A Brief History of Pelosi Attack Conspiracies
In the early morning hours of October 28 2022, a hammer-wielding intruder entered the home of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, encountering and attacking her husband Paul. Paul Pelosi sustained head injuries, severe enough to warrant emergency surgery. Late
Truth or Fiction?→ The IRS is Ignoring Churches’ Right-Wing Political Push: Report
As more Christian churches push harder into right-wing politics, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will not tackle apparent violations of federal law, ProPublica and the Texas Tribune reported on October 30 2022. The two news sites said that they had
Truth or Fiction?→ Hammer-Wielding Home Invader Attacks Paul Pelosi, Spouse of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Early on the morning of October 28 2022, news appeared that the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was attacked at their residence by an individual with a hammer. A post to Reddit’s r/WhitePeopleTwitter featured a tweet about the incident:
Truth or Fiction?→ Mike Pence ‘Freedom From Religion’ Comments
On October 26 2022, two tweets asserted that former United States Vice President Mike Pence had claimed that Americans do not have “freedom from religion”: BREAKING: Mike Pence claims on Fox News that there is no such thing as “freedom
Truth or Fiction?→ A Pro Wrestling Legend Becomes a Giant Topic on Twitter
Longtime fans of pro wrestling — or maybe just of the 1987 film The Princess Bride — likely let out a cheer in late October as a familiar face became a popular topic. The visage of the late Andre the Giant gained traction on Twitter after a
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Kanye West Banned from Yu-Gi-Oh’ Tweet
As several news stories about music artist Kanye West entered the news cycle on October 26 2022, a viral tweet suggested that West had been “banned” from trading card came Yu-Gi-Oh: kanye west has been suspended from yu-gi-oh! pic.twitter
Truth or Fiction?→ Immigrant, Retiree, Womens’ Groups File Lawsuits to Stop Voter Intimidation in Arizona
The right-wing group linked to various “poll watchers” in Arizona faces two separate lawsuits from organizations representing women, immigrants, and retirees. Both lawsuits — one by the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans and Voto
Truth or Fiction?→ A Florida Attorney Opposed to Helmet Laws Died in a Motorcycle Crash
On October 26 2022, a popular Reddit post suggested that a Florida attorney known for opposing helmet laws had died in a motorcycle crash: Attorney who fought Florida helmet laws died in motorcycle crash while not wearing one from Leopa
Truth or Fiction?→ Dr. Oz on Abortion: Between a ‘Woman, Her Doctor, and Local Political Leaders’
On October 26 2022, a post to Reddit’s r/politics suggested that Republican candidate for Senate and television personality Mehmet Oz stated that a decision to have an abortion should be between “a woman, her doctor, and local political lea
Truth or Fiction?→ How One Tennessee County Shows the Relationship Between Early Voting and Turnout
An activist’s thread about early voting activity in Tennessee illustrated how lack of access can negatively affect turnout going into the November 2022 U.S. midterm elections. Lisa Quigley, director of the group Solving Hunger, first drew attenti
Truth or Fiction?→ Russia Calling for ‘Desatanization’ of Ukraine
On October 25 2022, Daily Beast columnist and Russian media watcher Julia Davis tweeted that Russia’s security council “called for … the desatanization” of Ukraine: Meanwhile in Russia: since Putin's phony "denazifica
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Pornstar Brandon Cummings … Arrested After Beating Up 35 Neo-Nazi’s’
On October 24 2022, an Imgur account shared what looked like a screenshot of an attention-grabbing, somewhat grammatically incorrect headline (“Pornstar Brandon Cummings, From The Famous ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ Series Of Male On Male Po
Truth or Fiction?→ As Voter Intimidation Efforts Ramp Up, a 2016 ‘Poll Watcher’ Meme Recirculates
On October 24 2022, a popular Imgur repost addressed voter intimidation, presented in a broader context of “poll watchers” leading up to the U.S. midterm election: Reposting ICYMI: Voting info. ‘Voting is Your Right as a Citizen
Truth or Fiction?→ Arizona Alerts DOJ After Complaints About Right-Wing Ballot ‘Watchers’
As election deniers and conspiracy theorists appeared to set their sights on Arizona (among other states), both state and federal officials have been alerted regarding possible voter intimidation in Phoenix in October 2022. According to KNXV-TV reporte
Truth or Fiction?→ Lara Logan Rant Results in Newsmax Ban, Statement
Former CBS News correspondent Lara Logan was banned from far-right American cable network Newsmax in October 2022 after a bizarre antisemitic rant on October 19 2022 — the latest in a long string of appearances featuring escalating, fully conspi
Truth or Fiction?→ Why Texas Schools Send Parents DNA Kits for ‘Emergencies’
On October 19 2022, a link about Texas schools sending DNA kits to parents for ease of student identification in an “emergenciwes” was shared to Reddit’s r/nottheonion — a subreddit for “true stories that are so mind-blowi
Truth or Fiction?→ How Local ABC Affiliates Spread the Same Debunked ‘Warning’ About Fentanyl
A story out of Los Angeles, California that hinged on fearmongering from law enforcement regarding “Halloween fentanyl” in October 2022 served as another example of how television news affiliates can amplify disinformation — all witho
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Republicans Are Introducing the Stop the Sexualization of Children Act’
On October 18 2022, Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson (R) tweeted an announcement about a piece of proposed legislation with an attention-grabbing title — “The Stop the Sexualization of Children Act”: BREAKING Republicans are introducing
Truth or Fiction?→ Former Michigan House Speaker Under Investigation for ‘Array’ of Suspected Crimes
The former state House Speaker for Michigan is reportedly under investigation after months of allegations of both personal and professional impropriety. The Detroit News reported on October 18 2022 that the state attorney general’s office had ope
Truth or Fiction?→ Gov. Ron Desantis ‘Made Voting Easier in Certain Florida Counties Battered by Hurricane Ian – But Only Republican-Leaning Ones’?
On October 18 2022, two posts on Imgur indicated that Florida’s Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis “made voting easier” for counties reeling from Hurricane Ian — with the caveat that the provisions were granted only to “Republic
Truth or Fiction?→ Alaska Snow Crab Season Canceled
In October 2022, a popular post to Reddit’s r/news indicated that Alaska’s regular snow crab season was canceled, pending investigation into the cause of a major problem: Alaska snow crab season canceled as officials investigate
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘With an Insurance Card You’re Entitled to Four Free Boxes of Two Covid Tests Per Month from CVS or Walgreens’
On October 16 2022, a tweet went viral about eight free COVID-19 tests per month, available to Americans “with an insurance card” through pharmacy chains CVS and Walgreens: Did you know that with an insurance card you’re entitled to f
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Flooding the Zone’: Trump Allies Push for Election Denier ‘Observers’
The former chief of staff for one-term United States President Donald Trump is at the head of the group funding the efforts of right-wing “election watchers,” who have opted to base their campaign on Trump’s lie that he did not really
Truth or Fiction?→ Texas Republican Tweets, Deletes Fake News Headline
On October 14 2022, a screenshot of a tweet attributed to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) with a headline from The Atlantic circulated on Twitter: The screenshot, a mockup of a headline from The Atlantic, featured an image of people gathered at an event.
Truth or Fiction?→ What Did Alex Jones Do?
On October 12 2022, news that far-right broadcaster Alex Jones was ordered to pay “nearly $1 billion” ($965 million) to eight Sandy Hook families prompted significant discussions about disinformation — alongside a concerted effort to
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Starbucks Corporate Is Leaving Mobile Orders on When Workers Are on Strike’
On October 11 2022, footage from TikTok was shared to Imgur with a descriptive on-screen top caption — “Starbucks corporate is leaving mobile orders on when workers are on strike”: Starbucks Corporate latest union busting tactics;
Truth or Fiction?→ MSNBC, Disgraced Host ‘Analyze’ John Fetterman Interview
As criticism built against NBC for its framing of a recent interview with Pennsylvania Lt. Governor and Democratic senatorial candidate John Fetterman, its sister cable broadcaster invited former presenter Chris Matthews, who left the network amid alle
Truth or Fiction?→ Harvard ‘Black Hole’ Is a ‘Discovery of a Lifetime’
On October 12 2022, astronomer and Redditor u/Andromeda321 shared post to r/science, about novel behavior by a black hole: ‘We’ve Never Seen Anything Like This Before:’ Black Hole Spews Out Material Years After Shredding Star from
Truth or Fiction?→ American States ‘That Wish to Join Russia Will Be Considered,’ Says Duma Member
On October 11 2022, a post with the headline “U.S. States That Wish to Join Russia Will Be Considered, Says Duma Member” appeared on Reddit’s r/worldnews: U.S. States That Wish to Join Russia Will Be Considered, Says Duma M
Truth or Fiction?→ PayPal ‘Misinformation’ Fine Controversy
In October 2022, frenzied posts on Twitter and Reddit alluded to a new PayPal “misinformation fine” of $2,500 — with some urging others to close their PayPal accounts: Just moved all money I had in my PayPal account out of it. And
Truth or Fiction?→ USA Today Publisher Also Printing Right-Wing ‘Newspaper’ Mailings: Report
The publishing company behind USA Today and other reputable newspapers is also publishing a string of far-right and other disinformation-heavy political publications made up to look like news outlets. According to the Columbia Journalism Review (CJR),
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Jimmy Carter Unveiling Solar Panels Atop the White House. Ronald Reagan Removed Them 2 Years Later’
On October 6 2022, a submission to r/pics came with the claim that former United States President Jimmy Carter had at one point unveiled solar panels on the White House — only to have his successor uninstall them just two years after the photogr
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘A Fifth Texas National Guardsman [Died by] Suicide After Being Ordered by Greg Abbott to Patrol Migrants’
On October 5 2022, an Imgur user shared a screenshot of a tweet claiming that a “fifth Texas National Guardsman” had died by suicide after being “ordered by [Texas Governor] Greg Abbott to patrol migrants”: BREAKING: A fifth
Truth or Fiction?→ GOP Gubernatorial Hopefuls Regurgitate ‘Students Identifying as Cats’ Smear
A right-wing, fully debunked smear about “students identifying as cats” spread further up the disinformation chain in late September 2022, going from local school gossip to statements from Republican gubernatorial candidates: Right-Wing La
Truth or Fiction?→ I-80 Wyoming, ‘Highway to Heaven’
A September 30 2022 Facebook image of a “highway to heaven” in Wyoming spread virally in late September and early October 2022; the attached image looked like this: No links to additional information or a source for the image appeared alo
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Florida Female Student Athletes Have to Report Their Menstrual History to Play’
On October 3 2022, social media discourse followed claims that Florida’s female student athletes were made to disclose their “menstrual history” in order to participate in athletics: Florida female student athletes are aske
Truth or Fiction?→ Study: ‘Registered Republicans Had Far Higher Excess Death Rates Than Registered Democrats’ in Ohio and Florida
On October 3 2022, journalist James Surowiecki tweeted about a “new study” of post-vaccine pandemic mortality, contrasting deaths in Florida and Ohio with voter registrations: New study of almost 600,000 deaths in Ohio and Florida shows t