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Political leaders and government officials like to make dramatic statements. Are they telling the truth?

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Posts Spread False Claim About Moderna Patent Application

Posts Spread False Claim About Moderna Patent Application

The mRNA COVID-19 vaccines — like many other vaccines — can contain small amounts of DNA left over from the manufacturing process. There’s no evidence this residual DNA causes “turbo cancer,” or very aggressive cancer. Nor did Moderna admit that “mRNA Jabs Cause Turbo-Cancer,” contrary to an online article that misconstrues a line from a patent application.

The post Posts Spread False Claim About Moderna Patent Application appeared first on FactCheck.org.

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Unpacking Democratic Ad Attacking DeSantis, Florida Abortion Law

Unpacking Democratic Ad Attacking DeSantis, Florida Abortion Law

An ad from a political action committee tied to California Gov. Gavin Newsom claims that a law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis would subject women who get an abortion after six weeks to felony charges. DeSantis' campaign calls the claim "a lie." We look at what the law says -- and doesn't say -- that has caused some concern and confusion.

The post Unpacking Democratic Ad Attacking DeSantis, Florida Abortion Law appeared first on FactCheck.org.

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The Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner with a Side of Partisan Spin

The Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner with a Side of Partisan Spin

As Americans gather for the Thanksgiving holiday, both the White House and the Republican National Committee have served up some political spin: They claimed this year's dinner was either cheaper or more expensive. And they're both right.

The post The Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner with a Side of Partisan Spin appeared first on FactCheck.org.

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Cruz Distorts Facts on Biden Support for Israel

Cruz Distorts Facts on Biden Support for Israel

In a Fox News interview about the Israel-Hamas war, Sen. Ted Cruz said "literally from within minutes of when this horrific attack began on Oct. 7, the Biden White House has been telling Israel, do not retaliate, cease-fire, stop, do not kill the terrorists." But the Texas Republican has thin support for his claim.

The post Cruz Distorts Facts on Biden Support for Israel appeared first on FactCheck.org.

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No Evidence of Link Between U.S. Infant Mortality Rate Increase and COVID-19 Vaccines

No Evidence of Link Between U.S. Infant Mortality Rate Increase and COVID-19 Vaccines

A recent federal report shows a 3% increase in the U.S. infant mortality rate between 2021 and 2022, which is the first statistically significant rise in 20 years. The cause of the uptick is unknown, but there's no evidence that it's due to COVID-19 vaccination, as some social media posts baselessly suggest.

The post No Evidence of Link Between U.S. Infant Mortality Rate Increase and COVID-19 Vaccines appeared first on FactCheck.org.

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What’s in the Ethics Report on George Santos?

What’s in the Ethics Report on George Santos?

The investigative subcommittee of the House Committee on Ethics released a 56-page report on Nov. 16 that found Rep. George Santos of New York "placed his desire for private gain above his duty to uphold the Constitution, federal law, and ethical principles." Here we recap the findings of the ethics committee.

The post What’s in the Ethics Report on George Santos? appeared first on FactCheck.org.

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Dozens of Children Died in Hamas’ Oct. 7 Attack on Israel, Contrary to Online Claim

Dozens of Children Died in Hamas’ Oct. 7 Attack on Israel, Contrary to Online Claim

At least 29 children have been identified by international authorities as having died in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. But a video, citing a post deleted by the World Jewish Congress, has been circulating online falsely suggesting that children didn't die in the attack in Israel.

The post Dozens of Children Died in Hamas’ Oct. 7 Attack on Israel, Contrary to Online Claim appeared first on FactCheck.org.

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Trump’s Latest Election Fraud Spin

Trump’s Latest Election Fraud Spin

In his latest election fraud spin, former President Donald Trump falsely suggested that 3,600 criminally duplicated ballots were counted in Atlanta's Fulton County in the 2020 presidential election. He is referring to news reported months ago about errors made during an audit -- not during the official ballot count. 

The post Trump’s Latest Election Fraud Spin appeared first on FactCheck.org.

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COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy Is Safe, Has Multiple Benefits

COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy Is Safe, Has Multiple Benefits

Being vaccinated against COVID-19 helps protect pregnant people from severe COVID-19. When given during pregnancy, the vaccines can also reduce the risk of hospitalization from COVID-19 early in a baby’s life. A new study adds to the evidence that vaccination during pregnancy is safe for babies, contrary to social media and online claims.

The post COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy Is Safe, Has Multiple Benefits appeared first on FactCheck.org.

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Trump’s False Claim That U.S. Military Moving to Electric Tanks

Trump’s False Claim That U.S. Military Moving to Electric Tanks

The military is moving toward the electrification of its vehicle fleets. It's not, as former President Donald Trump falsely claims, going "to make our great Army tanks all-electric."

The post Trump’s False Claim That U.S. Military Moving to Electric Tanks appeared first on FactCheck.org.

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The Washington Post

DeSantis PAC snips and clips its way to falsehood in attacking Haley

Nikki Haley has often told the story of how remarks by Hillary Clinton convinced her to plunge into politics. This ad eliminates the caveats.

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Snopes

Fact Check: Bill Maher Tosses Whoopi Goldberg Off His Show for 'Anti-Israel Rant'?

"You need professional help," he allegedly said.

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Fact Check: Video Shows Cat Strolling in Snow-Covered Florence, Italy?

Florence is often called "the cradle of the Renaissance."

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Fact Check: US Education Secretary Miguel Cardona Said, 'We're from the Government, and We're Here To Help'?

U.S. President Ronald Reagan once said, "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government, and I'm here to help."

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Fact Check: iPhone AirDrop Feature 'NameDrop' Is Dangerous, as Facebook Posts Claim?

Here's the lowdown about the Facebook warnings regarding NameDrop, an iPhone feature that debuted with the September 2023 release of iOS 17.

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Fact Check: Real Images of Palestinian Children in Gaza Holding Their Cats in Destroyed Homes?

Photographs allegedly showed children “overjoyed” to find their cats alive after Israel bombarded their homes.

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Fact Check: Nevermind the Internet, Clint Eastwood Isn't Dead

The false rumor circulated in October 2023. We’ve previously fact-checked other death hoaxes about Eastwood, including in 2017 and 2022.

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Fact Check: One Day on Venus is Longer Than a Year on Venus?

Though similar in size to Earth, the yellow planet spins in the opposite direction.

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Fact Check: Wendy's Is Closing All Restaurant Locations, as Announced in Late 2023?

Facebook and Instagram ads displayed this purported news with a picture of Wendy's founder, Dave Thomas. However, the rumor was false.

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Fact Check: Typing '@' and Clicking 'Highlight' in Facebook Comments Reveals Who Watches Your Page the Most?

A viral post claims there is a secret way to find the Facebook friends who might be lurking on your page the most.

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Fact Check: Country Star Jason Aldean Launches His Own Music Channel?

Rumors continue to swirl following Aldean's controversial music video, "Try That In A Small Town."

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