On March 2 2022, at least six posts on Imgur and countless posts on Facebook and Twitter covered a rumor that Ukraine’s tax authorities had issued guidance indicating citizens need not declare captured Russian tanks as taxable income or assets:
Publication: TruthOrFiction
Truth or Fiction?→ Rep. Matt Gaetz’s ‘If Russia Wanted to Destabilize Ukraine, Putin Didn’t Need to Send Tanks’ Tweet
On March 1 2022, an Imgur user shared a purported screenshot from Twitter, apparently showing a tweet by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and a response: In the top tweet, author Jessica Shortall (@jessicashortall)
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Digital Billboards in Ukraine’
On March 1 2022, a popular Imgur post titled “Digital billboard in Kyiv: ‘Russia soldier, stop! Putin has lost. The whole world is with Ukraine. Leave without blood on your hands'” purportedly showed messages on Ukraine billboards vis
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Apple Pay and Google Pay No Longer Work on Moscow’s Metro System,’ Causing Queues
On February 28 2022, Irish journalist Jason Corcoran tweeted the following image, which was purportedly a photograph of long queues at a Moscow metro station after Apple Pay and Google Pay stopped working in Russia: Apple Pay and Google Pay no longer
Truth or Fiction?→ Snake Island’s Ukrainian Fighters May Have Survived
On February 24 2022, a story about thirteen Ukrainian soldiers purportedly killed on a tiny islet after a defiant standoff with invading Russian troops spread across platforms and in news coverage: A group of Ukrainian border guards were stationed on
Truth or Fiction?→ Was Ukraine’s President on His Country’s Version of ‘Dancing With The Stars’?
As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky led his country through an invasion by Russian forces in February 2022, highlights from his previous career spread more frequently online. Specifically, the footage shows Zelensky’s performances on Tant
Truth or Fiction?→ Why Russia’s Removal From Eurovision 2022 Has Precedent
Russia’s expulsion from the Eurovision music competition in February 2022 for invading Ukraine was a reversal of course from contest organizers — but not a first-time ocurrence. “The decision reflects concern that, in light of the unp
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Vitaly Skakun Sacrificed His Life to Explode a Bridge and Stop the Russian Advance’
On February 25 2022, posts about a young Ukrainian soldier named Vitaly Skakun circulated on social platforms like Imgur: Vitaly skakun sacrificed his life to explode a bridge and stop the russian advance. may his memory be a blessing In the above po
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Hungarian Gentleman in Connecticut’ Calls WNYC to Advise Ukrainian Civilians
Amid an active invasion by Russia on February 25 2022, a Twitter screenshot appeared on Imgur describing a “Hungarian gentleman” who called into WNYC to “explain the necessity of everyday Ukrainians knowing how to make a Molotov coc
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘The Japanese Ambassador to Ukraine Stayed in Kiev’
On February 24 2022, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sparked an avalanche of social media rumors, among them a hugely popular claim that Japan’s ambassador to Ukraine chose to stay in Kiev and have his “samurai sword” shipped from
Truth or Fiction?→ Ireland Waives Visa Requirement for Ukraine Citizens
As Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 2022, reports that Ireland waived visa requirements for Ukrainian citizens emerged on Twitter: NEW: the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Justice will waive visa requirements for all Ukrainian citizens comi
Truth or Fiction?→ Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s Anti-Trans Directive
On February 23 2022, a letter attributed to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) directing the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services around matters concerning transgender children circulated heavily on social platforms like Twitter and Reddit: G
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Store Avocados in Water’ Post
A February 17 2022 viral post advised readers to store avocados in water to extend their shelf life; the post quickly spread in shares and as screenshots on Facebook and Twitter: I don’t normally tweet FB posts but this one…IS THIS TRUE?? And If
Truth or Fiction?→ Berlin Wall ‘10316 Days’ Meme
On February 22 2022, an Imgur user shared their “13th favorite” post, about how the Berlin Wall “stood for 10316 days” (and a proportional passage of time); on the date it was shared, Imgurians flooded the front page of Imgur wi
Truth or Fiction?→ Normandale Park Mass Shooting
After a February 19 2022 shooting in Portland’s Normandale Park, disinformation spread rapidly on social media — including claims that the alleged shooter was an “armed homeowner” facing off against “armed protesters.̶
Truth or Fiction?→ The ‘Freedom Convoy’ Ran on Regurgitated Disinformation Narratives
There was nothing original about the “convoy” that disrupted the Canadian capitol of Ottawa in early 2022. The occupation dovetailed almost entirely with other right-wing demonstrations, starting with the use of Facebook as both an organiza
Truth or Fiction?→ Origin of ‘Goodbye’
On February 21 2022, an Imgur user shared a Tumblr screenshot, purportedly explaining the origin of the word “goodbye” in English: Entitled “Chat speak,” the post was not the first linguistically-themed meme to spread on social
Truth or Fiction?→ Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill Amendment Outing LGBT Kids
On February 21 2022, several Imgur posts featured tweet by journalist Judd Legum, which contained a claim that a proposed amendment to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bills would mandate that students’ sexual preferences be
Truth or Fiction?→ How Did Hush Puppies Get Their Name?
On February 12 2022, a Facebook user shared the following post, which purportedly describes how “hush puppies” got their name: Escaping slaves used to throw balls of fried cornmeal out to distract the hounds from tracking them. The hound st
Truth or Fiction?→ Ben Shapiro ‘Look How Beautiful My Sister Looks’ Tweet
On February 18 2022, a screenshot of a purported Ben Shapiro tweet (“Look at how beautiful my sister looks”) was shared to Imgur: Atop two apparent photographs of Shapiro’s sister Abby, the tweet read: Look at how beautiful my sister
Truth or Fiction?→ Dasia Taylor Suture Invention
On February 1 2022, the Facebook page for Missouri radio station Y107 (KTXY-FM) shared a meme about Dasia Taylor, a teenager who purportedly developed a suture technology to detect infections: Alongside the meme, Y107 simply hashtagged the post #Black
Truth or Fiction?→ Bob Saget Predicted Death on His Podcast?
On February 16 2022, a brief recent clip of late comedian Bob Saget saying he didn’t “have long to live” and would be “found dead in bed” began circulating on Twitter: Bob Saget knew how he was going to be “found deadâ
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Is Now a Good Time [to] Remind Truckers That EVERY SINGLE REPUBLICAN Voted Against Saving Truckers’ Pensions Last Year?’
In mid-February 2022, an Imgur user and the Facebook page “The Other 98%” shared a screenshot of a tweet from broadcaster and talk show host Chip Franklin: Is now a good time remind truckers that EVERY SINGLE REPUBLICAN voted against sav
Truth or Fiction?→ Anthony Bourdain: ‘Eat at a Local Restaurant Tonight’ Quote
On February 12 2022, the Facebook page “Messages for the Soul” shared the following quote attributed to Anthony Bourdain, along with an image: “Eat at a local restaurant tonight. Get the cream sauce. Have a cold pint at 4 o’clock i
Truth or Fiction?→ Stephen King ‘Hard to Believe There Was Ever a World Leader as Dumb as Donald Trump’ Quote Meme
On February 15 2022, an Imgur user shared the following quote meme, reportedly showcasing commentary by author Stephen King on former United States President Donald Trump’s fitness for office: A different quote attributed to Stephen King spread
Truth or Fiction?→ ATF Valentine’s Day Tweet
On February 14 2022, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) trended on Twitter with the following description: Many react to a recent Valentine’s Day-themed Tweet from the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) Some of
Truth or Fiction?→ Rosa Parks Bus Ad Meme
On February 10 2022 an Imgur user shared the following meme, which purportedly showed an advertisement in honor of Rosa Parks — insensitively placed on the back of a bus in Birmingham, Alabama: The back of a bus was visible in the meme, as was a
Truth or Fiction?→ Mysterious Black Liquid Falling in Las Vegas
On February 10 2022 an Imgur user shared a screenshot of the following tweet about a “mysterious black liquid” that had reportedly been falling from the sky in Las Vegas: A mysterious black liquid has been falling on people in East Las V
Truth or Fiction?→ Britney Spears vs. Somali Pirates Meme
On February 9 2022, a “fun fact” meme explaining that the music of pop star Britney Spears was used to repel Somali pirates in 2013 appeared on Imgur: Spears was shown at the top left of the meme, and a group of men in a small boat, arms r
Truth or Fiction?→ Ayn Rand Institute PPP Controversy
On February 10 2022, Imgur user @PrincessPicklebricks shared a screenshot of the following tweet, suggesting that the Ayn Rand Institute “sought, and was granted, a PPP loan from the government”: Never letting ‘Atlas Shrugged’ fans li
Truth or Fiction?→ James Hemings and Macaroni and Cheese
A viral February 4 2022 Facebook post crediting chef James Hemings (brother to Sally Hemings) with the invention of macaroni and cheese consisted of the following tweet, published on February 1 2022: Chef James Hemings was the first American classic
Truth or Fiction?→ Did a GOP Lawmaker Accuse Nancy Pelosi of Having a ‘Gazpacho Police’?
Conspiracy-theory-slinging Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) bungled her latest attempt to paint Democrats as tyrants in a rant that spread online on February 9 2022. The conservative group The Republican Accountability Project captured Greene
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘First Article Of Impeachment Laid Out Against Joe Biden,’ February 2022 Headline
On February 9 2022, Trendolizer identified an article that was purportedly (and partly) headlined, “First Article of Impeachment Laid Out Against Joe Biden.” Trendolizer flagged it as virally popular;Â Facebook shares of the link looked lik
Truth or Fiction?→ Ottawa Honking Ban
On February 7 2022, popular posts on Imgur and Reddit’s r/worldnews reported that a judge in Ottawa had temporarily “banned” honking in the province: Court grants injunction to silence honking in downtown Ottawa for 10 days
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Fun Little Trick in the Sunday New York Times Crossword’
On February 8 2022, screenshots of a tweet about a “fun little trick” in the Sunday, February 6 2022 New York Times crossword appeared on Imgur and Facebook: Fun little trick in the Sunday New York Times crossword yesterday: the central t
Truth or Fiction?→ Eisenhower: ‘Don’t Join the Book Burners’
On February 6 2022, two Imgur users shared a quote meme attributed to former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, beginning with “don’t join the book burners …” Both posts were popular, receiving around 100,000 views apiece les
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘2 Million People Are in the Streets of Ottawa Demanding Their Freedom’
On February 3 2022, a Twitter user tweeted that “2 million” people took to the streets of Ottawa “demanding their freedom,” along with a purported photograph of the purported two million: 2 Million People are in the Streets of
Truth or Fiction?→ Michigan Candidate Ryan Kelley ‘Unplug Voting Machines’ Meme
On February 4 2022, an Imgur account shared a meme asserting that Michigan Republican Ryan Kelley told a crowd to “unplug voting machines” and bring guns to polling places: At the top of the meme, an image of former U.S. President Donald
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Suicide Hotline Collected, Monetized’ Caller Data
On February 1 2022, an Imgur user shared a screenshot under the title “Suicide Hotline Collected, Monetized The Data Of Desperate People,” showing an article or a blog post: Suicide Hotline Collected, Monetized The Data Of Desperate Peopl
Truth or Fiction?→ Ben Shapiro ‘Nobody Said Crime’ Tweet
On February 3 2022, an Imgur user shared a screenshot of a purported tweet by right-wing pundit Ben Shapiro, in which Shapiro chastised commenters on a thread about things that should be “banned” and the absence of “crime” on th