On May 24 2020, police in San Leandro, California arrested — and then released — a woman revealed on social media as the person behind a string of racist letters harassing Asian-American residents. According to authorities, 52-year-old Nan
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Truth or Fiction?→ Was Kroger Demanding that Employees Return Emergency Pay?
The Kroger grocery store chain backed off of a policy that brought about criticism and increased scrutiny, calling it an “error” that only affected a small number of workers. The photograph, first posted to Twitter on May 18 2020, showed
Truth or Fiction?→ Did Elon Musk Use Buca di Beppo’s Photograph of a Sundae?
Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk drew another round of criticism online after reposting a restaurant chain’s promotional photograph without attribution. Musk posted the photo — an “ice cream sundae in a martini glass,” as he describe
Truth or Fiction?→ Was ‘Proud Boy’ Rob Cantrell Photographed at a Right-Wing Protest in Michigan?
The photograph that came to symbolize the hypocrisy present in an anti-government protest in Michigan on April 30 2020 became the center of an unfounded allegation concerning its origins. The image, showing an unidentified man yelling at a group of po
Truth or Fiction?→ Did a Right-Wing COVID-19 Protester Carry a Sign Displaying a Nazi Slogan?
Several photographs emerged online on May 1 2020 purportedly showing right-wing protesters — and in one case a child — displaying a Nazi slogan. But at least one of the images was manipulated digitally. As the Associated Press reported, a
Truth or Fiction?→ Are Four Networks ‘Set to Announce They Will No Longer Televise Trump’s Announcements’?
Those perhaps seeking relief from live coverage of United States President Donald Trump’s daily briefings on COVID-19 shared a Texas man’s unverified claim that some major news outlets would stop carrying them in late April 2020. “CN
Truth or Fiction?→ Did the New York Times ‘Officialize’ Kim Jong-Un’s Death?
As uncertainty surrounded the medical status of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, at least one unknown party took advantage of the moment to sow disinformation. A bogus Twitter account billing itself as “@nytimesoffcial” — an apparent
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Allegedly, This Is From a 1958 UK Government Report’
A nearly 70-year-old catalog of “types of homosexual” continued getting attention online in April 2020, with social media users reclaiming at least one of its definitions. Photographs of a page from Austrian sociologist Richard Hauser̵
Truth or Fiction?→ Facebook Activity for Right-Wing ‘Gridlock’ Protests Surges
Facebook groups supporting or organizing anti-government protests continued to appear on the platform in mid-April 2020, despite the platform reportedly shuttering at least two such events. We found several groups using the “Operation Gridlock&#
Truth or Fiction?→ Did Los Angeles and NYC Announce ‘No More Concerts In 2020’?
A newly-created Twitter account’s unsubstantiated claim was still shared widely on the platform by readers perhaps dreading the long-term ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic on Los Angeles and New York City. Touting it as “BREAKING NEWS
Truth or Fiction?→ Did a Man ‘Die Twice’ From COVID-19?
Conspiracy-hungry social media users possibly itching for a chance to slam what they call “fake news” shared a morbid attempt at a joke on Facebook — and in doing so, ended up making light of an actual death resulting from the COVID-
Truth or Fiction?→ Is Elon Musk ‘Giving Away Bitcoins and Etherium’ on Twitter?
On April 8 2020, an unidentified hacker used both real and illegitimate accounts to pelt Twitter with posts and bogus screengrabs made up to resemble tech magnate Elon Musk’s account. First brought to light by reporter Mason Pelt, the apparent p
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Make America Great Again’ Breathing Masks
On April 5 2020, social media was alight with speculation — some fond, some alarmed — at the prospect of what appeared to be a new addition to United States President Donald Trump’s merchandise line. The rumor began on Twitter, whenÂ
Truth or Fiction?→ Do You Have to Request a COVID-19 Forbearance for Student Loans?
Social media users’ concern over their student loans in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic found themselves dealing with conflicting information — even from the agencies. Prior to the passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Se
Truth or Fiction?→ Were Florida Residents Spotted Packing Beaches During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
A photograph of beachgoers ignoring social distancing guidelines concerning the COVID-19 pandemic prompted local officials to close their gathering place to the public. The photo, attributed to Clay Archer of Jacksonville Beach, was shared thousands o
Truth or Fiction?→ Did Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro Test Positive for COVID-19?
A tweet reporting that Brazil’s president Jair Bolsonaro had tested positive for COVID-19 circulated quickly online on March 12 2020 before being taken down, although after it was removed it still moved around social media in screenshot form. Th
Truth or Fiction?→ Was Trump Caught Saying ‘Fuck’ on a Live Mic?
During a televised address to the nation about the COVID-19 pandemic, United States President Donald Trump was caught twice unaware that he was being recorded. Before beginning the March 11 2020 address, Trump could be heard saying, “A what? Oh
Truth or Fiction?→ Is There a COVID-19 ‘Loophole’ in Blood Donations?
For a brief period of time, a Twitter user’s admittedly “bold and brash” — but wrong — idea about a “loophole” allowing people more access to testing for COVID-19 got widespread traction on the platform. On Ma
Truth or Fiction?→ Unsourced ‘Intensivist’ Thread Spreads on Twitter as COVID-19 Hits Italy
In March 2020, as more nations grappled with a novel coronavirus pandemic, social media users continued to promote unsourced chain-letter “messages” online as people searched for reliable and credible information. One of the latest instanc
Truth or Fiction?→ 2001 ‘Good Day New York’ On-Air Argument Gets New Life Online
In another instance of social media reviving interest in the media that preceded it, social media users re-discovered in March 2020 a clip that first made headlines after airing on WNYW-TV nearly 20 years earlier. One iteration of the clip featuring G
Truth or Fiction?→ Did Trump Call Obama’s Ebola Virus Response ‘a Total Joke’?
Shortly after United States President Donald Trump announced on February 26 2020 that he was naming Vice President Mike Pence to lead his administration’s response to the issue of novel coronavirus COVID-19, critics on social media pointed out y
Truth or Fiction?→ Does One of President Trump’s Retweets Display ‘BERNIE BEATS TRUMP’?
On February 11 2020, a screenshot of United States President Donald Trump retweeting an account showing the name “BERNIE BEATS TRUMP” appeared on Twitter: Ladies and gentlemen, we got him pic.twitter.com/bcCdtluxky — BERNIE BEATS T
Truth or Fiction?→ Social Media Platforms Spread Epoch Times’ Iowa Caucus Disinformation
Another debunked claim from a right wing “activist” group responsible for chronic disinformation continued to spread on social media on February 3 2020 as voters in Iowa prepared for the Democratic Party presidential caucus. The group R
Truth or Fiction?→ Did the Washington Post Tweet ‘Anti-Semites See Socialism as a Jewish Plot, What Will They Say About Bernie Sanders?’
On January 28 2020, a screenshot of an apparent Washington Post headline musing what anti-Semites who believed that anti-Semitism itself is a “Jewish plot” might think of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ campaign circulated on Facebook in scree
Truth or Fiction?→ Did a Twitter Post Predict Kobe Bryant’s Death in a Helicopter Crash in 2012?
On January 26 2020, Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna (as well as Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife Keri, and his daughter Alyssa; Harbor Day School basketball coach Christina Mauser; mother and daughter Sarah and Payton C
Truth or Fiction?→ Donald Trump Says He ‘Saved Pre-Existing Conditions in Your Healthcare’
On January 13 2020, United States President Donald Trump tried to attack a Democratic Party presidential candidate for “false advertising” by repeating a lie of his own. In a tweet attacking former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, Tr
Truth or Fiction?→ Online Debate Stirs Fears of a ‘Star Wars’ Disinformation Campaign
A round of rumors and criticism surrounding the new Star Wars movie series has ignited debate in what has become an ongoing discussion about disinformation pushed in pop culture fandom — but experts are split whether that label applies to a Reddi
Truth or Fiction?→ Fake Fox News Twitter Smears Rep. Ilhan Omar
A short-lived Twitter account impersonating the right-wing Fox News network managed to draw attention to itself on January 5 2020 through the familiar tactic of a made-up smear against Democratic Party Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. The account, “
Truth or Fiction?→ Online Trolls Seize on Anti-Semitic NYC Attacks for Anti-Black Disinformation Effort
In the wake of a series of anti-Semitic attacks in New York City during Hanukkah 2019, online troll sites and fake social media accounts moved to foment both disinformation and tension by pitting Jewish and Black communities against one another. As CN
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Weird Twitter’ Account Spreads Video Distorting Joe Biden Campaign Speech
On January 1 2020, a Twitter user attempting to lobby criticism on Democratic Party presidential candidate Joe Biden went a step further than a critique by posting a video that had been edited to remove context from one of his campaign speeches. The a
Truth or Fiction?→ British Media Falls For Bogus Claim That Protesters ‘Whacked’ Government Advisor
On December 9 2019 — just days before a hotly contested and high-stakes general election on December 12 — British news organizations were apparently taken in by a disinformation effort as they spread a false accusation against protesters outside o
Truth or Fiction?→ UPS Thanks Police for Killing Driver Frank Ordonez
On December 5 2019 — after law enforcement officers in south Florida shot and killed a hostage, a bystander, and two suspected thieves during a daytime shootout in a busy intersection during rush hour — a number of popular tweets claimed that UPS
Truth or Fiction?→ Was Trump Filmed After ‘Forgetting to Wear His Toupee’?
A Twitter prankster released a video mocking United States President Donald Trump on Twitter on November 29 2019, though it gained less attention than a previous effort. The nine-second clip was edited to show the president removing a baseball cap to
Truth or Fiction?→ UK’s Conservative Party’s Communications Team Briefly Rebrands to Mislead Public
As a December 12 2019 general election looms over the UK and the rhetoric around its third election since 2015 grows ever louder, distractions and political stunts have hit a fever pitch, injecting misinformation and outright disinformation into its p
Truth or Fiction?→ Archived Tweets Show Bolivian Interim President Smearing Indigenous ‘Satanists’
Amid a chaotic upheaval and ouster of Bolivia’s first indigenous president, Evo Morales, allegations swirled online around Jeanine Añez — the opposition leader who claims she is next in line for the presidency — and tweets she made litera
Truth or Fiction?→ Lawmaker Brings World War II Discharge Letter to Light Online
A New Jersey congressman attracted some attention online with a historical post apropos of Veterans Day in November 2019 — and some skepticism. “I’d like to share a letter that a constituent of mine recently found in the papers of her fa
Snopes→ The Pressure Is Now on Facebook to Ban Political Ads, Too
Twitter's ban on political advertising is ratcheting up pressure on Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg to follow suit. But so far, that doesn't appear likely to happen.
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘This Isn’t About Free Expression’: Twitter Chief Dorsey Announces Ban on Political Ads
Twitter’s chief executive officer has announced that his platform will ban political advertisements, saying that they represent new challenges to political discourse. “This isn’t about free expression. This is about paying for reach,
Truth or Fiction?→ Did a Mississippi Man Hack His Way Into Helping ‘Food Stamp’ Recipients?
A persistent meme that resurfaced on October 23 2019 about a modern-day Robin Hood is in reality a prank posted by someone out of “social media fun.” The graphic shows a photograph of a man besides a Fox News logo, accompanied by a short d
Truth or Fiction?→ Disinformation Peddlers Push ‘October 16th’ Conspiracy Theory
A gaggle of specious blogs and social media accounts set about inflaming tensions for their followers in a set of posts reminiscent of other fake controversies. The posts center on vaguely-worded “threats” and wide-ranging military deploym