On August 11 2022, a post from the Facebook page “Feminist News” featured a purported screenshot from a Psychology Today article, blaming an increase in “healthy relationship standards” for a “rise in lonely, single men
Publication: viral content
Truth or Fiction?→ Trump ‘The Mob Takes the Fifth Amendment’ Quote
On August 10 2022, an Imgur account shared two images — one news screenshot suggesting that former United States President Donald Trump had invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, and the following quote meme indicating that
Truth or Fiction?→ CPAC ‘We Are All Domestic Terrorists’ Digital Banner
In early August 2022, memes and tweets highlighted a purported banner displayed at the Conservative Political Action Conference, reading “We Are All Domestic Terrorists”: Maga has "Civil War" trending. I guess that cpac bann
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘1994, CEOs of Seven Major Tobacco Corporations in the United States Swear That Nicotine is Not Addictive’
On August 8 2022, an image purportedly showing seven chief executive officers of tobacco companies at a 1994 hearing was shared to Reddit’s r/agedlikemilk (a subreddit for anything that has deteriorated with age instead of improving over time):
Truth or Fiction?→ Was Pretty Boy Floyd ‘Known for Destroying Mortgage Papers on Heists, Freeing Hundreds … from Debt’?
On August 5 2022, an Imgur user shared a meme about the historical figure “Pretty Boy Floyd,” an outlaw who purportedly destroyed records of mortgage debt in the course of heists: The image combined two memes, one featuring the claim about
Truth or Fiction?→ CPAC ‘Prison’ Exhibit
On August 5 2022 (a day after the Conservative Political Action Conference. or CPAC, began in Dallas, Texas) video of a prison cell booth at the event spread virally on Twitter: Hello I would like to share with you the most astonishing thing I have
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Reporter Wears Grape Costume to Defend Boy Suspended for Banana Suit’
An August 3 2022 post to Reddit (featured on r/all) featured a meme about a reporter wearing a “grape costume” as he interviewed a boy who had been suspended from school for wearing a “banana suit”: Fruit of the Loom,
Truth or Fiction?→ Nick Adams’ ‘Men in Denim Built America Only for the Men in Suits to Destroy It’ Tweet
An August 3 2022 tweet by the account Conservative Self-Owns (@ConSelfOwns) on Twitter featured a screenshot of a purported tweet from internet user Nick Adams — who happened to be wearing a suit in his Twitter avatar: pic.twitter.com/k4uEjV5nx
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Maury Stevens’ Glitter Glue Facebook Post
In August 2022, a Facebook post by the page “Plattsburgh Online Official” recirculated, purportedly depicting the mugshot of a man named Maury Stevens, purportedly arrested for huffing “glitter glue.” Originally posted on July 1
Truth or Fiction?→ Applebee’s ‘Adult Spouse’ Sign
A viral July 30 2022 tweet showed an image of a purported sign at an Applebee’s restaurant, advising patrons that minors were not permitted in an area without a parent or “adult spouse”: Fascists attacking drag bars, meanwhile Appl
Truth or Fiction?→ Bank of America ‘We Hope Conditions for American Workers Will Get Worse’ Memo
On July 31 2022, posts to Twitter and Reddit referenced signs about a leaked Bank of America memo and a quote — “we hope conditions for American workers get worse”: Posters Everywhere At Bank Of America #BankOfAmericaScandal #Boycot
Truth or Fiction?→ No, the Loch Ness Monster’s Existence is Not ‘Plausible’
On July 26 2022, several organizations claimed that the existence of the Loch Ness monster had just been deemed “plausible,” an odd story promoted to readers on social media already inured to bizarre developments: The Loch Ness Monster is
Truth or Fiction?→ NASA’s Climate Spiral
As heat waves blanketed the much of the planet, particularly parts of the United States and Europe, a July 19 2022 Facebook video post described as “NASA’s climate spiral” spread in viral fashion as people discussed climate change an
Truth or Fiction?→ GOP Lawmaker Attends Gay Son’s Wedding Days After Voting Against LGBTQ Marriage Protections
On July 25 2022, a post to r/politics referenced an unnamed “GOP lawmaker” who apparently attended his gay son’s wedding — three days after voting against same-sex marriage: GOP lawmaker attended gay son’s wedd
Truth or Fiction?→ Can Self Driving Cars Be ‘Trapped’ By a Salt Circle?
In July 2022, a DIYauto.com Facebook post suggested that self-driving cars can be “trapped” in a salt circle, showing a tweet as a citation with no visible date in the screenshot: FUN FACT: self-driving cars can be “trapped” using a
Truth or Fiction?→ Live Monarch Foundation ‘Free Milkweed Seeds’
As news about monarch butterflies appeared the week of July 22 2022, a post to the Facebook group “Addicted to Gardening” claimed that readers could send a self-addressed stamped envelope to a group called the Live Monarch Foundation and r
Truth or Fiction?→ EU Parliament Roe v. Wade Resolution Vote
On July 14 2022, an Imgur user shared a screenshot of a tweet with the claim that the European Parliament had then-recently voted to condemn the decision of the United States Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade: The EU Parliament just voted 324-155
Truth or Fiction?→ Astronaut Charlie Duke’s Family Photo on the Moon
On July 14 2022, social media posts suggesting that astronaut Charlie Duke had left a family photo on the moon in 1972 began circulating, including a popular post to Imgur: Text above an image of what appeared to be a family portrait on the surface of
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘BMW Charging for Heated Seats’
On July 12 2022, Twitter user Joe Pompliano tweeted about vehicle manufacturer BMW charging for heated seats in a subscription model: This is wild — BMW is now selling a monthly subscription service for heated seats in your car. • Monthly fee: $1
Truth or Fiction?→ NYC Nuclear Attack Emergency PSA
On July 11 2022, a disturbing public service announcement purportedly created by the New York City Emergency Management Department began circulating on Twitter and TikTok: I'm sure its nothing.. but.. NYC has started running this ad.. can't i
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Astronaut Mark Kelly Once Smuggled a Full Gorilla Suit Aboard the International Space Station …’
On July 9 2022, Twitter account @latestinspace shared a video and a popular claim that “Astronaut Mark Kelly once smuggled a full gorilla suit aboard the International Space Station”: Astronaut Mark Kelly once smuggled a full gorilla sui
Truth or Fiction?→ Simplisafe Fireworks Video
On July 5 2022, footage often described as the “Simplisafe fireworks video” was shared on several platforms, including Reddit’s r/AbruptChaos (titled “Best finale ever”): Best finale ever from AbruptChaos
Truth or Fiction?→ Rosa Parks on Clarence Thomas: ‘His Confirmation to the Highest Court in the Land …’”
On July 4 2022, a pair of tweets purportedly quoting civil rights activist Rosa Parks on Clarence Thomas began circulating as part of ongoing discourse about the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade just before the Fourth of July:
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘San Diego Lights All the Fireworks at Once’
On July 4 2022, a Reddit account shared an informatively titled post to r/funny, “happy 4th of July folks it’s the 11th anniversary of the infamous San Diego fireworks show where they all went off at once”: happy 4th of Jul
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Tucker Carlson’s Mother Left Him $1 in Her Will’
On June 29 2022, a claim that Tucker Carlson’s mother left him one dollar (USD$1) in her will as the entirety of his inheritance began circulating on Twitter: remember when your mom died and left you one dollar in her will https://t.co/Tw0ZGkvu
Truth or Fiction?→ Number One Cause of Death for Pregnant Women in the United States
On June 28 2022, amid discussions of the countless ripple effects caused by ending Roe v. Wade, a Facebook page shared a screenshot of a viral tweet claiming that the primary cause of death for pregnant women in the United States was homicide, attached
Truth or Fiction?→ American Academy of Pediatrics Statement on the ‘Grave Consequences’ of Forcing Children to Give Birth
After the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade — effectively reversing the decades-old landmark decision recognizing the right to an abortion — an Imgur account shared a screenshot of a tweet referencing a statement by t
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘The United States Has the Highest Maternal Mortality Rate of Any Developed Country’
On June 27 2022, an Imgur user shared a post claiming the United States had the highest rate of maternal mortality among developed nations, as part of am ongoing national discussion about the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade: Wh
Truth or Fiction?→ Fox News ‘They/Them Summer’
On June 23 2022, a Twitter screenshot of a purported Fox News article about a “they/them” summer spread virally: OH SHIT NOW ITS OFFICIAL WE IN THE THEY/THEM SUMMER YALL pic.twitter.com/YytV5UliW5 — Lily Simpson is They/Them Summer
Truth or Fiction?→ $7250 ‘Westwood Lake’ Housing Advertisement from 1955
On June 20 2022, Twitter user @glory_manz shared a purported old advertisement for “Westwood Lake,” featuring houses priced at $7450: They really had it easy back then pic.twitter.com/VQmizZlO5R — King Glocky (@glory_manz) June 20,
Truth or Fiction?→ Gas Boycott July 3 to 5 2022
On June 19 2022 a Facebook user posted a concise status update, encouraging others to participate in a June 3 to 5 2022 gas boycott; it read: Do NOT Buy gas July 3-5!! Do NOT Buy gas July 3-5!! Do NOT Buy gas July 3-5!! As of June 22 2022, the post rac
Truth or Fiction?→ Oak Ridge National Laboratory Parallel Universe Experiments
Has the multiverse finally arrived? A June 18 2022 post by the Facebook page “Unexplained Mysteries” claimed scientists at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in eastern Tennessee endeavored to “open a portal” to a parallel univer
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘In 2014, This French Weather Presenter Announced the Forecast for August 18, 2050’
On June 15 2022, a viral tweet a sobering claim — that a 2014 French weather forecast “for 2050” wound up matching the real-life French weather forecast in June 2022: In 2014, this French weather presenter announced the forecast for
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Young Girls Working at an Oyster Processing Plant’
On June 16 2022, an Imgur user shared a photograph of three young girls, purportedly child workers who labored shucking oysters; the same image was colorized and shared in May 2021 to Reddit’s r/TheWayWeWere: Coloured by me, 3 girls wh
Truth or Fiction?→ Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene ‘Tampon Shortage’ Remarks
On June 14 2022, a Reddit user shared a claim to to the subreddit r/nottheonion (“for true stories that are so mind-blowingly ridiculous, that you could have sworn it was an Onion story”) that Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) had bla
Truth or Fiction?→ Uvalde Body Cam Footage Suppressed?
On June 13 2022, a Reddit user on r/WhitePeopleTwitter shared a screenshot of two tweets about the purported refusal by Texas police to release body cam footage from the Uvalde school shooting: yup yup yup from WhitePeopleTwitter
Truth or Fiction?→ Did Kim Kardashian ‘Ruin’ Marilyn Monroe’s Dress?
On June 13 2022, the Twitter account @PopCrave claimed that Kim Kardashian had “ruined” Marilyn Monroe’s dress when she wore it to the May 2 2022 Met Gala: Marilyn Monroe’s iconic dress has reportedly been damaged after being worn
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Brandon Spots His Sign’: ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ Signs Help Boy with Autism
On June 10 2022, an Imgur user shared screenshots of a tweet from @RightWingCope, about the phrase “Let’s Go Brandon” and its effects on a young boy with autism whose name is Brandon: Unironically one of the most wholesome stories
Truth or Fiction?→ Wikipedia ‘List of School Shootings in the United States’ Video
On June 8 2022, a popular Imgur video post purportedly showed Wikipedia’s “List of School Shootings in the United States,” which is so extensive that it took a dishearteningly long time to scroll through: Wanted to read up on school
Truth or Fiction?→ Did Mark Cuban Start an Online Pharmacy?
On June 7 2022, an Imgur account shared a screenshot of a Facebook post about billionaire Mark Cuban starting an online pharmacy offering necessary prescription medications at a low cost: A similar Imgur post was shared on June 6 2022. On Reddit, a us