On February 8 2020, a social media rumor about a woman (Tessica Brown, or @im_d_ollady) purportedly intending to “sue” Gorilla Glue for damage to her hair began circulating: “Your honor, I’m suing Gorilla Glue for pain & sufferin
Publication: TruthOrFiction
Truth or Fiction?→ Law Professor Refutes Trump Attorneys’ Attempt to Cite Him in Impeachment Defense
An effort to sow weaponized disinformation benefiting former United States president Donald Trump ahead of his second impeachment trial was blunted in early February 2021, when the legal scholar cited by his attorneys publicly debunked their claims. T
Truth or Fiction?→ MyPillow Guy ‘Lindell: Capitol Rioters Were Drugged By Antifa Sluts’
On February 5 2021, “Business Standard News” published an item with the headline, “Lindell: Capitol Rioters Were Drugged By Antifa Sluts,” which claimed — true to its headline — that MyPillow’s chief executive
Truth or Fiction?→ Does This Photo Show Train Riders Ignoring a Woman Needing a Seat?
A story that first spread online without context in February 2019 did so once again in January 2021 — prompting the same disgusted reaction. The photograph shows an elderly woman holding on to a safety pole inside a metro train in Sydney, Austra
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Fun Fact … If a Fire Starts in the [Yale] Library, All the Oxygen Leaves the Building,’ ‘Killing [People] … to Protect the Rare Books’
On February 7 2021, a Facebook user shared a Twitter screenshot with a “fun fact” about a library at Yale University that involved a mechanism that would “protect the rare books” from the effects of a putative fire, but at the
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Anti-Racist is Code for Anti-White’ Billboards in Harrison, Arkansas
In early February 2021, a purported photograph of two billboards in Harrison, Arkansas circulated on Facebook and Reddit — the first of the two claiming that “anti-racist” is a “code word for anti-white”: Is th
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘GME Frenzy Claims First Life’
On February 4 2021, a screenshot of a purported news article (“GME frenzy claims first life as 28yo retail trader shoots himself in Florida”) spread on Facebook and Reddit, appearing to report the death of a man named Jake McGuirrey of Peb
Truth or Fiction?→ AmEx ‘Rose Gold’ Gold Card Has Returned
On February 4 2021, social media rumors began spreading about American Express (AmEx)’s Rose Gold version of its Gold charge card — namely that the long-coveted variant of the Gold Card in Rose Gold had returned: Rose Gold Amex
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘The Crayons DYED Her Hair’
A January 2021 video by the verified Facebook page of Adam Trent (titled “Crayons DYED her hair”) was heavily promoted by Facebook’s algorithm, purportedly demonstrating how to use ordinary crayons and common household items to add
Truth or Fiction?→ Was AOC ‘Not in the Capitol’ During Riots on January 6 2021?
On February 3 2021, a viral tweet by @Breaking911 claimed that “AOC.” or Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) was not in the Capitol building during the January 6 2021 riots, adding that “rioters did not breach the Cannon Build
Truth or Fiction?→ Was a Capitol Rioter Allowed to Take a Vacation in Mexico?
A Texas woman who boasted that she took part in the seditious attack against the U.S. Capitol on January 6 2021 became an online symbol for white privilege in the judicial system after asking for permission to leave the country. It is true that Jenny
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘TIL That Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, QAnon Conspiracy Theorist, Obtained Her GED Just Last Year’
On February 2 2021, a screenshot of a tweet was shared on Reddit and Imgur, highlighting Congresswoman Lauren Boebert’s purported level of education and adding that “they” (presumably conservatives or Republicans) complain about Rep.
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘President Trump’s New Office Looks STUNNING’
Even after the end of his presidency, supporters of Donald Trump continued peddling bad information online in February 2021. Anti-Muslim lecturer Brigitte Gabriel posted a photograph of Trump on Twitter saying, “President Trump’s new office lo
Truth or Fiction?→ What Is a Short Ladder Attack?
During viral interest in the GameStop short squeeze, claims that a “short ladder attack” was driving drops in the price of “meme stocks” like $GME and $AMC became popular on Reddit, Facebook, and Twitter — which in turn
Truth or Fiction?→ Did 20 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses ‘Go Missing’?
Online speculation around former presidential advisor Jared Kushner swirled on social media after stories appeared about ongoing problems facing United States President Joe Biden’s administration as it continued fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, n
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Please Consider Buying’ Girl Scout Cookies from ‘Troop 6000,’ ‘Entirely Made up of Girls Living in NYC’s Homeless Shelters’
On February 1 2021, a screenshot of a tweet was shared to Imgur which contained the claim that anyone interested in Girl Scout cookies without a scout to buy from could obtain an order from “Troop 6000,” whose scouts live in New York Cit
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘When Covid Hit New Zealand’ Tweet
In February 2021, an undated screenshot of a tweet spread on Reddit and Imgur, which purportedly described the way New Zealand handled the COVID-19 pandemic (with an unvoiced but inherent contrast with the United States): Yep here you are f
Truth or Fiction?→ Does Jen Psaki Have a Brother Working for Citadel LLC?
As discourse and debate surrounding online trading in general and the app Robinhood in particular continued to spread in January 2021, some right-wing social media users attempted to link it to new White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, claiming that
Truth or Fiction?→ Is Robinhood Selling People’s Shares Without Consent, and Under Market Value?
During the late January 2021 GameStop ($GME) short squeeze, trading app Robinhood came under fire for halting the buying only (not selling) of popular tickers — and anecdotal reports began filtering into the news cycle that Robinhood was, in add
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Robinhood Insider Information’ Reddit Post
During the viral frenzy of rumors surrounding Robinhood’s controversial decision to halt buying on popular tickers (including $GME and $AMC), a post from a brand-new Reddit account (u/Odin19199) became a major part of the day’s discourse:
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Wall Streeters Looking Down on Occupy Wall Street’
As the debate over the online stock activity surrounding GameStop — and subsequent questions about the activity by financial trading insiders responding to it — online commentary drew a link between the anger toward present-day Wall Street
Truth or Fiction?→ Does Citadel Own Robinhood?
On January 28 2021 the popular stock trading app Robinhood controversially halted trading of two viral tickers ($GME and $AMC) following the improbable rally of $GME, leading to whispers that Robinhood was owned by Citadel — a capital firm purpo
Truth or Fiction?→ Did Elon Musk Tweet ‘If $GME Reach $1000 I Will Put the GameStop Logo on My Next Rocket’?
As retail traders drove GameStop ($GME) to stratospheric heights on January 26 and 27 2021, chatter on ticker-centric sites spiked in volume; several social stock platforms displayed a purported tweet attributed to entrepreneur Elon Musk referencing $
Truth or Fiction?→ Is the Average Rent $1,234 a Month, Necessitating a $30.77 Hourly Wage to Afford to Live?
In January 2021, a Facebook post from three years before began to pick up notice on social media platforms again; it maintained that the average cost of rent was $1,234 a month — a sum that the post argued was unaffordable with a federal minimum
Truth or Fiction?→ Is the Biden Administration Ending Federal Use of Private Prisons?
United States President Joe Biden’s administration was set to fulfill one of his campaign promises on January 26 2021 — at least in part. Biden was scheduled to sign an executive order instructing the Department of Justice not to renew its
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Still the Best Picture of #BernieSanders Sitting Though’
A January 20 2021 image of Bernie Sanders sitting (with mittens) at United States President Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony went instantly viral as a meme, and among responses was a since-deleted tweet — labeled “Still the best pic
Truth or Fiction?→ Is Lloyd Austin Considering ‘Defunding’ or ‘Maybe Disbanding’ the U.S. Army?
The efforts to push disinformation about United States President Joe Biden’s administration began within days of his January 2021 inauguration, with a graphic falsely claiming that the U.S. military faced possible “defunding.” The me
Truth or Fiction?→ Billboard in Inverness, Florida
On January 25 2021, screenshots of a purported billboard in Inverness, Florida began circulating on Twitter and Facebook: If u ever wondered how Matt Gaetz got elected This is his district #Deliverance pic.twitter.com/Cr6cQe2rpQ — Tough Love
Truth or Fiction?→ Is Joe Biden’s Rolex Really Beau Biden’s Rolex?
A January 22 2021 New York Times piece headlined, “Joe Biden, Watch Geek in Chief” observed that newly inaugurated United States President Joe Biden wore a Rolex during his inauguration, leading to at least two viral tweets asserting th
Truth or Fiction?→ Kalief Browder, Riley Williams
On January 22 2021, a tweet from @DerenicByrd contrasting the justice system’s treatment of a 22-year-old white woman named Riley Williams versus a Black teenager named Kalief Browder spread virally on Twitter and Imgur: Kalief Browder alle
Truth or Fiction?→ Did a Doctor Erase $650,000 in Medical Debt for 200 People?
A retiring doctor’s act of generosity earned him national media attention and created an online buzz — while also inadvertently underlining gaps in reporting from some of the news organizations telling his story. Dr. Omar Atiq’s deci
Truth or Fiction?→ Who Ordered the National Guard to Sleep in a DC Parking Garage?
On January 21 2021 — just one day after the inauguration of U.S. President Joe Biden, news broke that National Guard soldiers deployed to Washington, D.C. for the event had been relegated to a parking garage with insufficient restroom facilitie
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Mr. Clean is Literally Just Branded Melamine Sponges and You Can Buy 100 of Them for Only $13’
A January 19 2021 Facebook screenshot of a January 13 2021 tweet about Mr. Clean Magic Erasers proved hugely popular, advising social media users fond of the product that generic versions were much less expensive and just as effective: Things that I
Truth or Fiction?→ Conspiracy-Slinging Lawmaker Caught Encouraging Parkland Shooting ‘False Flag’ Lie
Journalists looking into the history of a newly sworn-in, QAnon-friendly Republican legislator have discovered that she has a history of conspiracy theories and disinformation around mass shootings. Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene encouraged the c
Truth or Fiction?→ Did Biden’s Bible Have ‘Upside Down Crosses’?
On January 20 2021, the next phase in American disinformation kicked off when an image set of President Joe Biden’s swearing-in circulated — purportedly showing Biden taking an oath on an odd Bible with “upside down crosses”:
Truth or Fiction?→ Is Trump the Only United States President to Have Never Once Hit a 50 Percent Approval Rating?
On January 19 2021, the following screenshot of a tweet appeared on Imgur, featuring claims that outgoing United States President Donald Trump never once went over 50 percent approval during his time in office, and was in fact the “least popular
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Here’s the Letter George H. W. Bush Left Bill Clinton for the First Day of His Presidency’
On January 18 2021, Imgur user SisterMidnight shared an image called, “Here’s the letter George H. W. Bush left Bill Clinton for the first day of his presidency,” with the comment “Classy,” and “I wonder what Presiden
Truth or Fiction?→ How to Fight Disinformation: Part II — Gaslighting
This is part of an ongoing series about how communities can fight back and protect themselves against weaponized disinformation. You can read Part I here. On January 6 2021, a mob of Donald Trump supporters, enraged by corrosive rhetoric and lies fr
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Before Capitol Rioters Beat an Officer to Death, BLM Protesters Formed a Human Barricade Around a Cop Separated From Other Police’
After a Capitol police officer was beaten to death with a fire extinguisher during the January 6 2021 insurrection, a photograph from 2020 Black Lives Matter protests circulated, which contrasted the death of one officer at the hands of insurrection
Truth or Fiction?→ Was Alex Trebek Listed as Part of Trump’s ‘Garden of American Heroes’?
Two days before the end of his one-term presidency, Donald Trump’s administration released a wide-ranging list of public figures it ordered to be included as statues in its proposed “National Garden of American Heroes” — includ