On May 14 2019, a Facebook user shared the following post (archived here), purporting to show “cow fart bags” advocated as a climate change solution by “fringe leftists”: It was almost as if a post lamenting that “you
Publication: TruthOrFiction
Truth or Fiction?→ Is Facebook Donating $1 for Every Share Towards a Puppy’s Tumor?
On May 10 2019, the Facebook page “Therapy Dogs Give Love” shared the following image and plea (archived here), claiming Facebook was donating $1 for every share of an image of a puppy with a “tumor”: Alongside an image of a
Truth or Fiction?→ Did Congress Declare the Bible the ‘Word of God’?
On April 30 2019, the following post appeared (archived here) claiming Congress declared the Bible the “Word of God” via an October 1982 law, and promptly went viral. It shows an image of yellowed paper that appears to be an official de
Truth or Fiction?→ Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala Dress, Photoshop Edition
Kim Kardashian West’s ensemble for the May 6 2019 Met Gala ball in New York made headlines for its film-inspired “wet” look, ruching, and extreme corseting, drawing the attention of fashion reporters and blogs even amid the campiness
Truth or Fiction?→ Does a Proposed Ohio Bill Make the Pill and IUDs Illegal?
In May 2019, a number of posts about “heartbeat bills” in various American states circulated on social media. For example, a rumor about Georgia (archived here) subsequently appeared that proposed legislation would purportedly ban birth c
Truth or Fiction?→ Mass Shooter Media Myth
On February 2019, television personality John Stossel released a video to Facebook watch, entitled “Media Hype Questionable Gun Control Study/MASS SHOOTER MEDIA MYTH.” That video was first shared to YouTube on December 18 2018. The clip wa
Truth or Fiction?→ Did Nancy Pelosi Call ‘Late-Term Abortion’ Bans ‘Really Quite a Sad Thing?’
On April 14 2019, a Facebook user shared a text-based status update (archived here), claiming that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had described “late-term abortion” bans as “really quite a sad thing”: Against a purple gradient back
Truth or Fiction?→ Delta Union-Busting ‘Video Games’ Poster
On May 9 2019, a poster attributed to Delta Airlines apparently urging workers to forgo union dues in favor of purchasing video gaming consoles circulated on Facebook and Twitter: lol fuck off @Delta pic.twitter.com/fMNOeW9uFG — Eoin Higgins (@
Truth or Fiction?→ New Georgia Abortion Law Conspiracy to Commit Murder Clause
On May 7 2019, a Facebook user shared the following screenshot of an apparent article (archived here), along with a lengthy comment about extremely restrictive new abortion laws in the state of Georgia: A lengthy comment from the original poster (par
Truth or Fiction?→ Is a Proposed Bill in Texas Trying to Disenfranchise the Elderly and Poor by Prohibiting Transportation to Polls?
On May 6 2019, the following tweet described proposed legislation in Texas that would purportedly disenfranchise voters unable to drive themselves to the polls: Texas Sen. Bryan Hughes' new bill, S. Bill 9, will disallow driving of elderly, disa
Truth or Fiction?→ Did Joe Biden Disclose the Names of the Soldiers Involved in the Bin Laden Raid in 2011?
On April 30 2019, the following post was shared to the Facebook group “Sussex County Voice” (archived here), alleging that when he was vice president of the United States, Joe Biden revealed the names and unit responsible for killing Osam
Truth or Fiction?→ Is This a Video of Lyanna Mormont/Bella Ramsey Breakdancing?
On May 4 2019, Barstool Sports shared the following clip on Twitter and Facebook, both captioned “Lady Mormont has the god damn MOVES”: Lady Mormont has the god damn MOVES pic.twitter.com/8InLOtxpUl — Barstool Sports (@barstoolspor
Truth or Fiction?→ Can You Grow ‘Tiffany Blue Roses’ from Seeds?
On May 5 2019, the Facebook page “Crafty Morning” shared a photograph of and affiliate link to purported “Tiffany Blue” roses (archived here), urging page fans to click through and purchase seeds to grow the stunning flowers:
Truth or Fiction?→ Can Twins Have Different Fathers?
On May 4 2019, the Facebook page “Facts that will blow your mind” shared the following meme about the ability of women to “get pregnant while already pregnant”: Text superimposed on an image of a pregnant woman read: Not on
Truth or Fiction?→ Did Bernie Sanders Say ‘Christianity is an Insult to Muslims’?
On April 20 2019, a Facebook user shared a text-based status update to their personal timeline, claiming Bernie Sanders said that “Christianity is an insult to Muslims.” The text on the post read: Bernie Sanders Says Christianity Is An Ins
Truth or Fiction?→ Do the Colors You See in a Photograph Reveal Left or Right Brain Dominance?
On May 3 2019, @CNYcentral shared the following tweet featuring a photograph of a shoe with a claim that the colors in which it appeared to render revealed whether a reader is either “left-brained” or “right-brained”: WHAT COL
Truth or Fiction?→ Are Venezuelans Being ‘Shot in the Streets’ After a 2012 Gun Ban?
An April 30 2019 text-based Facebook post (archived here) claiming that 2012 gun control legislation in Venezuela prompted political unrest was shared over 100,000 times in a few days: The status update, which came in text form without news links o
Truth or Fiction?→ Are Venezuelans Being ‘Shot in the Streets’ After a 2012 Gun Ban?
An April 30 2019 text-based Facebook post (archived here) claiming that 2012 gun control legislation in Venezuela prompted political unrest was shared over 100,000 times in a few days: The status update, which came in text form without news links o
Truth or Fiction?→ Turning Point USA’s ‘Truth About Social Security’ Meme
On May 1 2019, the Facebook page for youth conservative outreach organization Turning Point USA shared a meme (archived here) purporting to detail “the truth” about several changes made to Social Security over the years: An appended sta
Truth or Fiction?→ Turning Point USA’s ‘Truth About Social Security’ Meme
On May 1 2019, the Facebook page for youth conservative outreach organization Turning Point USA shared a meme (archived here) purporting to detail “the truth” about several changes made to Social Security over the years: An appended sta
Truth or Fiction?→ Did Lindsey Graham Call Donald Trump a ‘Kook’ and ‘Not Fit to Lead’ in 2016?
On May 1 2019, the Facebook page “The Other 98%” shared the following meme (archived here), contrasting 2016 with 2019 quotes from Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and characterizations of President Trump as a “kook” who
Truth or Fiction?→ Did Chicago Police Urinate on Food for a Black Panthers Free Breakfast Program in 1969?
On April 29 2019, a researcher shared the following tweet showing a screenshot of text reporting that in 1969, police in Chicago had urinated on food and supplies gathered by the Black Panthers for a free breakfast program: Holy shit – I’m r
Truth or Fiction?→ Do Four Photographs Show the ‘Sunny Sanctuary State’ of ‘Once Beautiful California’?
On April 24 2019, a Facebook user shared the following images and status update (archived here), purportedly showing images from California that included piles of trash on a beach and by roads and trails: In the status update (“Welcome to the S
Truth or Fiction?→ Did Ontario, California Confirm Kidnappers are Drugging and Abducting Children?
On April 26 2019, a Facebook user shared a screenshot (archived here) of another post, which provided an alarming account of complex abduction attempts purportedly occurring in Ontario, California. The original post was shared by an account with the n
Truth or Fiction?→ Is Twitter Withholding a ‘Nazi-Hunting’ Algorithm for Fear of Inadvertently Banning Republican Lawmakers?
On April 25 2019, a Twitter user posted a claim that the social media platform possessed a “Nazi-hunting” algorithm, but opted not to employ it specifically because it would also filter the tweets or accounts of some Republican lawmakers:
Truth or Fiction?→ Is Atlanta Urging People ‘Not to Dump Trash on White Supremacists’ Lawns’?
On April 29 2019, an image of a purported notice from the City of Atlanta urging residents “not to” dump trash on white supremacists’ lawns went viral: yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes
Truth or Fiction?→ Does This Picture Show a Tiny Crowd Ten Minutes Before Sen. Bernie Sanders’ April 2019 Houston Rally?
On April 26 2019, Facebook page “The Trump Train” shared the following post (archived here), claiming that it showed a crowd of a few dozen people in Houston ten minutes before Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) was scheduled to speak: Ac
Truth or Fiction?→ Does Facebook Deem Images of 9/11 Offensive and Prohibit Them?
On April 1 2019, a Facebook user shared a photograph of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 (archived here), claiming that the social media site “feels this photo is offensive and keeps removing it or hiding it”: Apparently Faceb
Truth or Fiction?→ Does a ‘Leaked’ British Intelligence Document Prove Trump Wiretapping Claims?
In April 2019, in the days and weeks following the release of a heavily anticipated (and heavily redacted) Special Counsel’s report on interference into the 2016 United States presidential elections, rumors and speculation reinvigorated a March
Truth or Fiction?→ Breast Milk Ducts
On April 21 2019 a Twitter user tweeted the following image, purportedly a photograph of muscles and milk ducts in breasts: I just realized I never saw a photo of a female muscle system. This is NOT what I imagined milk ducts to look like. pic.twitte
Truth or Fiction?→ Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ‘Splits’ Image
On April 10 2019 a Facebook user shared the following post (archived here), purportedly showing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez doing what appears to be a particularly athletic dance move at a party: The post’s image showed Ocasio-Cortez being su
Truth or Fiction?→ Did ‘The Simpsons’ Predict the Notre Dame Fire?
Among the many conspiracy theories around the Notre Dame Cathedral fire of April 15 2019 was the rumor that an episode ofThe Simpsons had predicted the blaze, continuing a rather peculiar pattern of stories around predictions made by the long-runn
Truth or Fiction?→ Cyclone Idai Flooding
On April 15 2019, a Facebook user shared images and a status update (archived here) about purported deadly flooding in Mozambique after a huge cyclone ripped through southeastern Africa: The text shared with the photographs said: Did yall know tha
Truth or Fiction?→ Is There a Snapchat Sex Trafficking Ring in Lawrence, Massachusetts?
On April 24 2019, a Facebook user shared the following status (archived here), claiming that a Snapchat sex trafficking ring was operating in Lawrence, Massachusetts: So there’s a sex trafficking ring going on in Lawrence Mass. If you get a random p
Truth or Fiction?→ Christian Life International Softball Shirt Design
In April 2019, the following image started to make the rounds on Imgur, with the original poster claiming in the caption that “the elders at my brother-in-law’s church” (Christian Life International, or CLI) unwittingly produced a lewd
Truth or Fiction?→ Does a Photograph Show the Consequences of Driving Carelessly in Front of a Tractor-Trailer?
On March 24 2019, the Facebook page “TRUCK ECM” shared the following image (archived here); a caption described the moments purportedly leading up to the collision: The photograph showed an eighteen-wheeler that had crushed a smaller ve
Truth or Fiction?→ Alfred Hitchcock: ‘A Cure for Fascism’?
An August 2018 meme purportedly quoting Alfred Hitchcock on a “cure for fascism” (archived here) remains popular on Facebook. A description that often appears with the meme suggests that Hitchcock’s “fascism” message occu
Truth or Fiction?→ Dandelion Facts
On April 16 2019, the Facebook page “Veggie Soul” shared a popular meme (archived here), containing several purported facts about the plant: The text, which was accompanied by an image of dandelions, stated: Dandelion Facts: Dandelions
Truth or Fiction?→ Are These Presidents Obama and Trump’s Statements on the Notre Dame Fire?
,On April 16 2019 the Facebook page “Proud Liberal Americans” shared a subsequently popular meme (archived here), purportedly contrasting statements provided by United States Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump about the fire that gut
Truth or Fiction?→ Were Black WWI Veterans in Uniform Lynched During the Red Summer of 1919?
In February 2019, the following image appeared (archived here), with the description “victorious black soldiers returning to the U.S. from World War I are lynched while still in uniform.” An attached image showed a black man being dragge