The unfolding Madisonian disaster.
PolitiFact→ Threads posts – The Black Hawk helicopter in the American Airlines crash was piloted, not autonomous
The Black Hawk helicopter involved in the American Airlines crash “was being controlled remotely.”
PolitiFact→ Viral image – No, this video doesn’t show a North Carolina dam breaking Sept. 28, 2024
Video shows a dam breaking Sept. 28, 2024, in North Carolina.
PolitiFact→ Facebook posts – Don’t fall for this Facebook post scam about at-large serial killer in Monroe, Louisiana
Photo shows “a dangerous serial killer” named Jaden Williams in Monroe, Louisiana.
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Post FALSELY Identifies Woman In Photo As Pilot Of Black Hawk Helicopter in DC Crash
Does an image in a social media post show one of the Black Hawk helicopter pilots killed in the January 2025 Washington, D.C., aircraft collision as she worked on the White House staff for two years "instead of flying"? No, that's not tru
PolitiFact→ Instagram posts – Story about 1,500 IRS resignations under Trump started as satire
“1,500 IRS agents have submitted letters of resignation after Trump announced he would put 90,000 superfluous IRS personnel on border patrol.”
FactCheck.org→ TikTok and U.S. National Security
In his first term, President Donald Trump tried to force TikTok’s parent company to sell its popular app or cease operating in the U.S., citing the need to “take aggressive action … to protect our national security.” But in his return to th
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Elon Musk Did NOT Say Starliner Astronauts ‘Are Not With US Anymore,’ Astronauts Did NOT Die In Space In January 2025
Did Elon Musk say two Boeing Starliner astronauts died in space, as a social media post implies? No, that's not true: Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were shown conducting a spacewalk nearly a month after the post -- and ther
PolitiFact→ Instagram posts – No, this photo does not show fallen Army pilot posing with Biden
Photo shows Black Hawk helicopter pilot in fatal crash worked for years with President Joe Biden at the White House.
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Police Did NOT Find Human Remains And Evidence Of Cannibalism In Oprah’s Los Angeles Home That She Sold In 2013
Did police find human remains and evidence of cannibalism in TV producer Oprah Winfrey's Los Angeles, California, home that she purportedly sold in 2013? No, that's not true: This post reappeared on social media recently but it was copied
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Explosion In Philadelphia Was NOT Caused By ‘Missile Or Comet’ — FAA Reports It Involved A Learjet 55 Airplane
Was the explosion near Roosevelt Mall in Philadelphia on January 31, 2025, not caused by an airplane crash but by a missile or comet? No, that's not true: The Federal Aviation Administration and multiple news outlets confirmed that the in
Full Fact→ No, Melania Trump did not read programme upside down at Jimmy Carter’s funeral
An edited photo circulated online after Mr Carter’s funeral on 9 January 2025.
Full Fact→ Trans woman misidentified as helicopter pilot in Washington plane crash
A false claim has spread widely on social media since the fatal crash between an American Airlines regional jet and a US army helicopter that it was piloted by a trans woman called Jo Ellis.
The Dispatch→ Addicted to Apocalypse
Against the Malthusian temptation.
PolitiFact→ Killing chickens, banning TikTok: Six times Trump criticized Democrats for things he also supported
President Donald Trump has criticized Democrats for Federal Aviation Administration diversity goals, a TikTok ban and FEMA policies. But in every case, his first administration had similar policies in place.
The Dispatch→ Trump to Impose Tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China
America’s top three trading partners have all vowed retaliatory action.
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Edited Photo Shows ‘Rapists Welcome’ And ‘Stand Up For Rapists’ Signs — Originals Said ‘Refugees Welcome’ And ‘Stand Up To Racism’
Does a genuine photo show protesters in London holding up signs that say "Rapists Welcome" and "Stand Up For Rapists"? No, that's not true: Digital forensics tools show the photo has been digitally altered. Photos showing similar, non-edi
The Dispatch→ When A Weak Iran Goes Nuclear
Is regime change in Iran plausible?
The Dispatch→ The Rwandan Genocide Echoes in DR Congo Strife
Thirty years after the violence, a related border conflict escalates, with control of mineral wealth at stake.
The Dispatch→ Trump’s Predictable Unpredictability on Taiwan
Under Trump 2.0, Taiwan’s fate is uncertain.
The Dispatch→ The Monthly Mailbag With Valerie Pavilonis
It’s our new ideas editor’s turn to answer your questions.
The Dispatch→ How Christianity Helps Us Recognize Good Authority
Plus: J.D. Vance’s war of words with the Catholic church over immigration.
The Dispatch→ Ordo Amoris | Dispatch Faith
When Christianity collides with politics.
The Dispatch→ Our Best Stuff on Confirmation Hearings, Federal Buyouts, and J.D. Vance
Three of Trump’s most controversial nominees faced questions from senators.
The Dispatch→ All My Children
Not my monarch!
The Dispatch→ Teaching for the Age of Agency
Giving American teens the jolt they need.
The Dispatch→ Publicans and Privateers
The big business-government divide is more complicated than you think.
The Dispatch→ One New Book About Two Ancient Faiths
Reimagining the connections between Islam and Judaism.
FactCheck.org→ No Evidence for the Political Finger-Pointing Over D.C. Plane Crash
Este artículo estará disponible en español en El Tiempo Latino. After the deadly collision between a passenger plane and a U.S. Army helicopter in Washington, D.C., politicians and political commentators were quick to cast blame. President Donal
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Denmark Did NOT Announce 500% Export Tariff On Ozempic Sold In US In Response To Trump’s Greenland Threats As Of January 31, 2025
Did Denmark announce a "500% tariff on exports of Ozempic to the USA" in January 2025? No, that's not true: The claim derived from a parody post on LinkedIn that was not labeled as such. There was no such announcement on Danish government
The Dispatch→ Crashed Planes
Flight 5342 and ‘Flight 93.’
The Dispatch→ Internet Users Misidentify Pilot of Helicopter in Reagan Airport Collision
Jo Ellis had no involvement in the collision.
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Bishop Mariann Budde Was NOT Removed From National Cathedral By Episcopal Archdiocese Of Washington — Originated On Satirical Site
Was Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde removed from the National Cathedral by the Episcopal Archdiocese of Washington after she angered newly elected President Donald Trump during the inaugural prayer service? No, that's not true: A spokesper
PolitiFact→ Threads posts – No, this Capitol rioter wasn’t killed after Trump pardoned her; she was never charged (or pardoned)
A Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol rioter pardoned by President Donald Trump was “killed when she used her 2A rights with a shotgun while being served for eviction.”
The Dispatch→ Critiques Do Not a Cabinet Make
Complaining about an institution doesn’t qualify you to run it.
PolitiFact→ Facebook posts – No, this isn’t an authentic warning about a couple wanted in the killing of three police officers
“A dangerous Hispanic couple” is “on the run after killing 3 female police officers.”
The Dispatch→ Great Men of History. Small Men of Congress.
Also: Can we stop worrying about gerrymandering?
PolitiFact→ Viral image – Video purportedly showing Donald Trump announcing visa ban for Nigerians is altered
Video shows “Donald Trump just announced that America will no longer give visas to Nigerians.”
PolitiFact→ Threads posts – Claim about Trump ‘furious’ with Musk for ‘convincing him to push out’ FAA chief started as satire
“Donald Trump is reportedly furious with Elon Musk for convincing him to push out the head of the FAA because Musk was mad SpaceX got fined last September by the FAA for license violations.”
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: CNN Did NOT Report January 29, 2025, DC Plane Crash Hours Before It Happened
Did CNN report the January 29, 2025, plane crash in the Washington, D.C., area hours before it occurred? No, that's not true: A spokesperson for the news outlet refuted the claim. A Google spokesperson said sometimes the timestamps in sea