Elaine Chao Faces Baseless Spy Allegations Recent online speculation has targeted former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, with accusations circulating that she is a "communist Chinese spy." These claims intensified after Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene publicly suggested Chao might be a spy following her trip to Beijing. The conspiracy theory gained traction on social media, fueled … Read more
During the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a surge of online discussions about gastrointestinal issues in Seattle caught the attention of Katelyn Jetelina, PhD, MPH. As CEO of Your Local Epidemiologist (YLE), she observed this trend, noting, "We’re like, ‘Oh, that’s weird. There’s an uptick of people chattering about this.’" This observation was … Read more
A political advertisement from Majority Forward, a pro-Democrat group, makes a false claim regarding Senator Susan Collins’ stance on insider trading. The ad asserts that Collins “doesn’t think” insider trading should be illegal and implies she benefits from it. This is inaccurate. In reality, Senator Collins was instrumental in the passage of the 2012 STOCK … Read more
A recent study published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report revealed a significant finding: in five states known for high rates of alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), almost a quarter of adults tested positive for antibodies linked to the condition. This suggests that the trigger for AGS might be far more widespread than previously understood. Alpha-gal syndrome … Read more
Following America’s 250th birthday festivities on July 4, 2026, images circulating widely on social media depicted significant trash and debris around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. These visuals quickly garnered attention on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Social media users shared numerous photos and videos after the July 4th events, purporting to … Read more
A photograph circulating online shows a Black woman seated on a Washington, D.C., metro train, surrounded by masked individuals identified as members of Patriot Front, a white nationalist group. This image was captured on July 4, 2026, during a march organized by the group in the nation’s capital. The photograph has been widely shared on … Read more
A social media claim suggesting that Katia Aveiro, sister of football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, has passed away after a battle with stage 4 breast cancer has been circulating widely. The posts gained significant traction online, prompting many to question their veracity. The rumor appears to have originated from an X post that stated, “Cristiano Ronaldo’s … Read more
A viral social media post is circulating, alleging that President Donald Trump is refusing to accept the United States’ 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16. The post further claims that Trump has petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn the outcome, advocating for the USMNT to instead face Spain … Read more
A viral video circulating on social media claims to show newly married couple Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce enjoying their honeymoon in the Bahamas. The blurry clip depicts a couple on a beach swinging, before flipping backward and falling together. However, a fact check reveals this claim to be false. While the video itself is … Read more
Social media posts circulating after the Fourth of July holiday falsely claimed that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani had ordered city workers to remove American flags and patriotic decorations. These claims suggested that Mamdani deemed the displays “an unnecessary display of Nationalism” and stated, “We’re New Yorkers first.” Some posts also alleged that his … Read more