A "satirical" article that manages to malign Islam, New Zealanders, and sheep all in the same breath has been making the rounds since 2017.
Publication: satire
Hoax-Slayer→ No, A Woman in California is Not Suing Her Parents Due to ‘Ugly Genes’
According to a message that circulates via social media and various blogs and online forums, a woman in California is suing her parents because she blames them for passing on "ugly genes" that caused her to have "unpleasant physical features". The post
Truth or Fiction?→ Theresa May Reminds U.K. Citizens That State Owns Their Children-Fiction!
Theresa May Reminds U.K. Citizens That State Owns Their Children-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: British Prime Minister Theresa May reminds U.K. citizens that the “all-powerful state” actually owns their children. The Truth: A website that publ
Truth or Fiction?→ Mark Zuckerberg Announces He’s Closing Facebook-Fiction!
Mark Zuckerberg Announces He’s Closing Facebook-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: Mark Zuckerberg has announced that he’s closing Facebook, citing concerns about the social media platform’s impact on the world. The Truth: False claims that
Snopes→ Is the EPA Banning Manmade Snow Due to High Concentrations of Dihydrogen Monoxide?
An apparent April Fool's prank had some readers worried.
Snopes→ Did British Police Find Putin’s Passport at the Scene of the Salisbury Poison Attack?
A satirical web site took accusations of Putin's involvement in the March 2018 poisoning of a former Russian spy on British soil to extremes.
Snopes→ Was a Student Suspended for Pretending to be Transgender to Use the Girls’ Locker Room?
A story about a high school student talking his way into showering with girls after gym class is a work of fiction.
Snopes→ Was The Cast of ‘Black Panther’ Added to FBI Watch List?
A satirical web site played on allegations of racial profiling by the bureau for a humorous story about the hit Marvel movie.
Hoax-Slayer→ Ohio is NOT Executing Prisoners With a Head Ripping Off Machine
Back in 2014, respected satirical website The Onion published a story claiming that the American state of Ohio was replacing lethal injections for death row prisoners with a more humane "head ripping off machine". The post Ohio is NOT Executing Prisone
Snopes→ Did Jeff Sessions Praise Marijuana in a College Rock Band?
A spoof video about the notoriously anti-pot Attorney General was produced by a comedy group and managed to trick some viewers.
Snopes→ Did Trump’s Older Sister Say ‘Donnie’s Acting Like a Nutjob’?
A satirical article fabricates federal judge Maryanne Trump Barry's statements about her brother's mental fitness.
Snopes→ Norway Renames Itself ‘Shithole’ in Solidarity With Countries Trump Insulted?
A satirical article responded to a recent controversy over the U.S. President's reported comments on immigration.
Snopes→ Were 22 Clinton Foundation Employees Arrested on First Day of FBI Investigation?
Unreliable partisan web sites reposted a work of satire reporting that an FBI investigation into the Clinton Foundation had yielded 22 criminal arrests.
Truth or Fiction?→ Playing Christmas Music Before Thanksgiving Is a Federal Crime-Fiction!
Congress Makes Playing Christmas Music Before Thanksgiving a Federal Crime-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: Congress approved a bill in November 2017 that makes it a federal crime to play Christmas music before Thanksgiving. The Truth: It’s not a fed
Snopes→ Did a Young Girl Disconnect her Grandfather’s Life Support to Plug in her Phone’s Charger?
An article reporting that a young girl unplugged a life-support machine to charge her mobile phone was just an international hoax.
Snopes→ Fake News Purveyors Apologize for ‘Satire’ Story Calling Fallen Soldier a Deserter
A false story labeled "satire" posted on the web site FreedumJunkshun.com reported Sgt. La David Johnson "pulled a Bergdahl."
Snopes→ Navy Destroyer Collides with Building in Downtown Houston?
A satirical article about a Navy Destroyer colliding with a building during Hurricane Harvey was mistaken for real news.
Snopes→ Mennonite Biker Gangs Clash with Hells Angels at Sturgis?
A satirical article about a Mennonite biker gang was mistaken by some for real news.
Snopes→ Online Store Selling ‘Horse Burkas’ for Muslim Customers?
A satirical web site poked fun at Islamophobia by claiming fly protection gear for horses was religious clothing.
Snopes→ Was a Giant System of Roots Discovered Below the Devil’s Tower Rock Formation?
A satirical Facebook page appeared to report that Devil's Tower, a large rock formation in Wyoming, was actually the remnants of a giant tree.
Truth or Fiction?→ Federal Judge Orders Chris Tomlin to Stop Adding Choruses to Hymns-Fiction!
Federal Judge Orders Chris Tomlin to Stop Adding Choruses to Hymns-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: A federal judge ordered Chris Tomlin to stop adding choruses to perfectly good hymns. The Truth: A website that publishes Christian satire is behind false re
Snopes→ Are ‘Hail Satan’ License Plates Now Available in Tennessee?
Claims that state lawmakers had passed a bill allowing phrase to appear on license plates originated from a satire site.
Truth or Fiction?→ Yellowstone Lava Geyser Erupts for First Time in Human History-Fiction!
Yellowstone Lava Geyser Erupts for First Time in Human History-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: A Yellowstone Lava Geyser has erupted at the national park for the first time in recorded history after earthquakes shook Montana and Wyoming in early July 2017
Truth or Fiction?→ Chic-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy Says ‘We Don’t Like Blacks Either’-Fiction!
Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy Says ‘We Don’t Like Blacks Either’-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: After Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy came out against gay marriage, rumors spread that Dan Cathy said “We don’t like blacks either”
Truth or Fiction?→ Cannibal Babysitter on Meth Eats Toddler-Fiction!
Cannibal Babysitter on Meth Eats Toddler-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: A babysitter in Missouri ate a 3-month-old toddler after smoking crystal methamphetamine. The Truth: A notorious fake news website is behind false reports that a babysitter ate a to
Truth or Fiction?→ Barron Trump Wins National Academic Science Award-Fiction!
Barron Trump Wins National Academic Science Award-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: President Donald Trump’s son, Barron Trump, won a national academic science award for a project that focus on the regulation of thermodynamics in shale rock. The Truth:
Truth or Fiction?→ Wrestler “Big Show” Paul Randall Wight Jr. Shot and Killed in Ring-Fiction!
Wrestler “Big Show” Paul Randall Wight Jr. Shot and Killed in Ring-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: WWE wrestler “Big Show” Paul Randal Wight Jr. was shot and killed during in a steel change match in June 2017. The Truth: A well-know
Truth or Fiction?→ Christian Office Holders Must Wear Scarlet Cross Under Bernie Sanders Bill-Fiction!
Congressional Christians Must Wear Scarlet Crosses under Bernie Sanders Bill-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: Senator Bernie Sanders introduced a bill that would require Christians holding public office to wear a scarlet cross to identify themselves. The Tr
Truth or Fiction?→ Democrats Introduce Americans with No Abilities Act (ANNA)-Fiction!
Democrats Introduce Americans with No Abilities Act (ANNA)-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: Senate Democrats have introduced a bill called the Americans with No Abilities Act, or ANNA, to provide benefits to Americans who “lack any real skills or am
Truth or Fiction?→ President Trump Signs Executive Order Banning Impeachment -Fiction!
President Trump Signs Executive Order Banning Impeachment –Fiction! Summary of eRumor: President Donald Trump is considering an executive order that would ban the impeachment of presidents going forward. The Truth: False reports that President
Snopes→ Katy Perry’s Plea for Coexistence Inspires ISIS to Surrender?
A satirical article seized on comments by the singer, which were taken out of context.
Snopes→ Did President Trump’s Lawyers Send Berkeley Breathed a Cease and Desist Letter?
A satirical letter shared on the cartoonist's Facebook page was widely believed to be legitimate on social media.
Truth or Fiction?→ Taco Bell Files For Bankruptcy, Closing All Restaurants -Fiction!
Taco Bell Files For Bankruptcy, Closing All Restaurants –Fiction! Summary of eRumor: Taco Bell has filed for bankruptcy and will close all Taco Bell locations in 2017 and 2018. The Truth: A website that encourages users to “prank” f
Truth or Fiction?→ Pastor Eaten By Crocodile While Walking on Water Like Jesus-Fiction!
Pastor Eaten By Crocodile While Walking on Water Like Jesus-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: Pastor Jonathan Mthethwa or Pastor Jeremiah Mahlangu (depending on the version) was eaten by crocodiles in South Africa while trying to demonstrate to congregan
Truth or Fiction?→ Malia Obama Arrested with “Gang of Thugs” in Chicago -Fiction!
Malia Obama Arrested with “Gang of Thugs” in Chicago –Fiction! Summary of eRumor: President Obama’s daughter, Malia Obama, was arrested with a “gang of thugs” in Chicago in May 2017. The Truth: A self-described fake
Truth or Fiction?→ Pastor Joel Osteen Dives from Stage to Stop Man from Opening Bible-Fiction!
Pastor Joel Osteen Dives from State to Stop Partitioner from Opening Bible-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: After stating that power to speak prosperity into existence is inside everyone, Pastor Joel Osteen dove from a stage to prevent a partitioner who w
Truth or Fiction?→ Tornado Carries Mobile Home 130 Miles with Family Inside-Fiction!
Tornado Carries Mobile Home 130 Miles with Family Inside-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: An F4 tornado that swept through Tulsa, Oklahoma, carried a mobile home 130 miles, and five family members inside were remarkably unharmed. The Truth: A well-known f
Truth or Fiction?→ President Trump Executive Order Bans Saturday Night Live-Fiction!
President Trump Executive Order Bans Saturday Night Live-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: President Trump signed an executive order banning Saturday Night Live after the show repeatedly targeted him with satire and parody. The Truth: A fake news website i
Hoax-Slayer→ Fake-News ‘Alligator Rape’ Story Uses Picture of Real Zoo Keeper
According to a post that is currently circulating via social media, a zoo keeper at Naples Zoo was killed while attempting to rape an alligator.
Snopes→ Crayola to Retire ‘Dandelion’ Colored Crayon Due to White House Pressure?
The claim that the White House asked Crayola to drop the "dandelion" crayon because children were using it to create unflattering portraits of President Trump was satire.