During a press conference, Georgia Republican Mike Collins made the false claim that former President Joe Biden was responsible for the 2020 civil unrest following the death of George Floyd, even though Biden was not in office at the time. Collins inaccurately attributed the violence and unrest to Biden’s administration, blaming him for encouraging and even funding the protests, despite the fact that the then-President Donald Trump was in office at the time of Floyd’s death. While Trump drew criticism for his response to the protests, and at one point used force to remove protesters for a photo opportunity, Collins went on to blame “socialist woke politicians” for the country’s current state. Notably, Biden was not even president at the time.
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The platform X is facing scrutiny from both French and European regulators. The French digital regulator, Arcom, received a referral regarding anti-Semitic and racist content generated by X’s AI chatbot, Grok, which was triggered by a complaint about hateful content. Simultaneously, the European Commission has been investigating X for nearly two years, specifically addressing the spread of misinformation and the platform’s algorithms. Pressure to conclude the EU investigation has increased, particularly following the streaming of an interview with a far-right German party leader.
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Despite promises to eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits, overtime, and tip income, Donald Trump has been falsely claiming success on these fronts. The recent tax and spending bill provides only temporary and partial relief, contrasting with Trump’s frequent assertions that these pledges have been fulfilled. These claims, however, ignore the limitations of the bill, which offers limited deductions and fails to make the provisions permanent, in addition to the potential for increased taxes due to proposed import taxes. The actual tax breaks and deductions provided are far less significant than what Trump has claimed, leading to accusations of misrepresentation.
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President Trump has been making unsubstantiated claims about gas prices, repeatedly asserting that prices are as low as $1.99 in several states. While gas prices have declined in recent weeks, with the national average at $3.16 per gallon, this remains significantly higher than Trump’s claims. The lowest prices are currently around $2.31-$2.69 in states like Mississippi, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Alabama, according to GasBuddy. The last time average prices dipped below $2 per gallon was January 2021.
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Following the devastating flash floods in Texas over the Fourth of July weekend, far-right conspiracists seized the opportunity to spread misinformation, often echoing sentiments from the QAnon movement. These individuals, including figures like Mike Flynn and Marjorie Taylor Greene, amplified claims of government weather manipulation and introduced bills against it. False narratives, such as unverified stories of rescued individuals, circulated widely, while blame was also placed on the Trump administration’s budget cuts and the National Weather Service. Such claims came from various corners of the internet, from social media to far-right channels, highlighting the swift spread and varied sources of conspiracy theories in the wake of the disaster.
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The United States is facing its highest measles case count in 33 years, with an ongoing outbreak in West Texas being a major contributor. This surge in cases, with the official tally potentially underestimating the true scope, comes as vaccination rates have fallen below critical thresholds in some communities. This decline is partially attributed to the pandemic disrupting routine medical visits and increased influence of anti-vaccine groups. The situation is further complicated by the spread of misinformation and the actions of those in positions of power who are anti-vaccine.
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The United States is experiencing its worst measles outbreak since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000, with over 1,277 confirmed cases reported by early July. This figure surpasses the peak year of 2019, leading to increased hospitalizations and putting a strain on health care systems. The majority of cases are concentrated in West Texas, originating from an undervaccinated community, and are occurring amid declining childhood vaccination rates nationwide. Public health officials are implementing intensified vaccination campaigns and contact tracing to combat the spread, while monitoring international travel patterns to prevent further outbreaks.
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In the wake of devastating flash floods in Central Texas that have resulted in a significant loss of life, a Georgia congressional candidate has sparked controversy with a series of social media posts. The candidate, Kandiss Taylor, posted theories about the weather event, suggesting it was “fake” and the result of geoengineering. This led to immediate backlash and numerous replies from users who questioned her views and political associations. Despite the tragedy, Taylor doubled down on her statements, leading to further debate and criticism online.
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Kandiss Taylor, a MAGA congressional candidate, sparked controversy after spreading conspiracy theories about the deadly flash floods in Texas, calling the weather “fake” on X. Her posts, made while authorities searched for dozens of missing individuals and confirmed at least 30 deaths, including nine children, drew immediate backlash. Critics, including former Rep. Adam Kinzinger and other commentators, condemned her remarks as insensitive and harmful. Despite the criticism, Taylor defended her statements, asserting she was not “walking back” anything, and continued to promote the idea of manipulation and geoengineering causing the tragic events.
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The Social Security Administration (SSA) sent an email claiming a recent spending bill, signed by Donald Trump, eliminated taxes on social security benefits for most recipients, which critics have labeled misleading. The bill actually provides a temporary tax deduction for seniors, not a complete elimination of taxes, and the benefits phase out at certain income levels. Former SSA officials and other critics argue that the administration’s framing of the bill is inaccurate and politically charged, calling the email a misrepresentation of the legislation’s actual impact. Representative Frank Pallone accused the SSA of spreading misinformation through the email.
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John Q. Hosedrinker