In August 2026, an image began circulating online, purporting to depict (archived, archived) U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries alongside the late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Various social media posts claimed the snapshot was captured during a 2013 gathering, prompting readers to reach out and inquire about its authenticity. (David J Harris Jr. … Read more
Social media posts wrongly attributed the fabricated directive to Jan O’Berro, described as a press secretary for Governor Greg Abbott, while alleging that Representative Jasmine Crockett planned to challenge the restriction in court. AUSTIN, TEXAS: A viral rumor recently spread across social media claiming that Texas Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett has been barred from all … Read more
The assertion drew heavy backlash against Netanyahu and reignited fringe conspiracy theories suggesting Israeli complicity in the catastrophic 9/11 attacks. NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: As the 25th anniversary of the devastating September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon approaches, a social media post went viral claiming that Israeli Prime Minister … Read more
Social media rumors suggest that Keanu Reeves will receive the Golden Globes Lifetime Achievement Award in place of Whoopi Goldberg. NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: A rumor has been spreading across social media networks claiming that the Golden Globe Ethics Board revoked a Lifetime Achievement Award from actress and comedian Whoopi Goldberg due to her … Read more
A viral post on X falsely claimed that former President Barack Obama delivered a scathing rebuke to Donald Trump, branding him ‘America’s destroyer.’ WASHINGTON, DC — Following a bold assertion by President Donald Trump that he surpasses both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in popularity, social media erupted with rumors that former President Barack Obama … Read more
Social media users recently celebrated the anniversary of a clever, unconventional project launched in the Faroe Islands—a self-governing archipelago located north of Scotland. The story dates back to 2016, when a local resident came up with a brilliant solution after realizing Google had left the picturesque islands off its Street View maps. While Google had … Read more
A viral report claimed that the Ottawa City Council voted to rename Trump Avenue, floating potential monikers such as Obama Avenue, Canada Avenue, and Taco Avenue. OTTAWA, CANADA: Amid escalating trade tensions between the United States and Canada—fueled by repeated remarks from President Donald Trump—social media users began sharing rumors that Canada was planning to … Read more
Federal Appeals Court Ruling Sparks Debate Over AI-Generated Content and the First Amendment In August 2026, a legal debate surfaced online regarding a federal judge’s ruling that certain artificial intelligence-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) falls under the protection of the First Amendment. The decision quickly drew widespread attention and concern across social media platforms … Read more
Claim: Disney bought country singer Dolly Parton’s Dollywood theme park. Rating: <input type=”hidden” id=”article_url” value=”/fact-check/disney-buy-dollywood-false/”/> <p dir=”ltr”>Following the passing of legendary icon Dolly Parton in August 2026, an online <a href=”https://www.instagram.com/reels/DckJbrxtPFK/”>rumor</a> (<a href=”https://perma.cc/NS4W-XZ9A”>archived</a>) surfaced claiming that Disney had acquired her famous Dollywood theme park.</p> <p dir=”ltr”>The claim gained traction when the social media channel Mouse … Read more
Claim: Director Ron Howard authored a letter starting, “I’m a liberal, but that doesn’t mean what a lot of you apparently think it does.” Rating: <input type=”hidden” id=”article_url” value=”/fact-check/ron-howard-letter-liberal/”/> <p dir=”ltr”>During the summer of 2026, a viral claim re-emerged online falsely asserting that acclaimed filmmaker Ron Howard had written an open letter redefining what it … Read more