President Trump’s recent claims about gas prices and egg costs are demonstrably false. He inaccurately stated that gas prices were as low as $1.98 per gallon in some states, while the lowest average state price was actually $2.70. His assertion of a 92% decrease in egg prices is also untrue, contradicting the Consumer Price Index data. Furthermore, his claim of $2 billion daily tariff revenue is unsubstantiated, with official figures showing significantly lower amounts.
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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt falsely claimed during a press briefing that Judge James Boasberg, who temporarily blocked Trump’s deportation of migrants, was a “Democrat activist” appointed by Barack Obama. NBC News correspondent Garrett Haake corrected Leavitt, noting Boasberg’s appointment by George W. Bush. Leavitt deflected by citing the number of injunctions against President Trump, framing the judge’s actions as part of a broader effort to obstruct the administration’s agenda. This instance marks Leavitt’s third fact-check from PolitiFact in just two months.
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Following online criticism, J.D. Vance’s account of being chased by a mob was refuted. Witnesses and video evidence contradict his claim, indicating no pursuit occurred. The initial narrative, shared on social media, described a threatening encounter. Vance subsequently deleted his post. This incident highlights the complexities of verifying online accounts of political events.
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President Trump’s assertion that Ukrainian President Zelensky possesses a 4% approval rating is demonstrably false. Reputable polling data consistently shows Zelensky’s approval ratings significantly higher, frequently exceeding 50% and even reaching 90% at the war’s outset. Trump’s claim contradicts multiple recent surveys from organizations like the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology. This inaccurate statement, made alongside Trump’s claim that Ukraine started the war, highlights a disconnect from established facts regarding the Ukrainian political landscape.
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A false claim circulated that USAID funded a Peruvian “transgender comic book” with a $32,000 grant. The grant, actually from the Department of State, supported a superhero comic series promoting a U.S.-Peru student exchange program. While one issue featured a gay protagonist, no transgender characters were present. This misinformation was amplified by several prominent figures, despite evidence proving the claim false.
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False claims circulated online alleging that USAID provided over $8 million to Politico. However, official government records reveal USAID only paid Politico $44,000 for subscriptions to E&E News. Over the past decade, Politico received approximately $34.3 million from various federal agencies, primarily for subscriptions to its publications. This misinformation was amplified by prominent figures, including the White House Press Secretary and Donald Trump himself.
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False claims circulated online alleging that USAID funneled over $8 million to Politico. In reality, publicly available records reveal USAID provided only $44,000 for subscriptions to Politico’s E&E News publication. While Politico received over $34 million from various federal agencies since 2014, this primarily covered subscriptions to its publications, a common practice among government agencies and members of Congress. Politico itself refuted these claims as “misinformed” and “flat-out false.”
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Google’s refusal to implement comprehensive fact-checking measures, despite the newly enforced EU law, highlights a significant clash between regulatory ambition and technological feasibility. The sheer volume of online content— encompassing text, images, and videos—presents an insurmountable challenge to any attempt at complete fact-verification. Imagine trying to extinguish a wildfire with a single fire hose; the task is simply too immense for existing resources.
This isn’t just about the practical limitations. The very act of determining what constitutes “fact” is fraught with complexities. Who decides what’s true and what’s false, especially on controversial or evolving topics? The potential for bias, misinterpretation, and even the weaponization of fact-checking itself raises serious concerns.… Continue reading
Claims that dozens of Oregon firetrucks were turned away from assisting with California wildfires due to failing smog checks are false. Oregon and California fire officials confirm that trucks underwent routine safety and maintenance checks at a Davis, California facility before proceeding to Los Angeles. News reports and photos corroborate the presence of out-of-state firetrucks actively fighting the fires. The initial claims originated from a since-deleted social media post and were subsequently refuted by official statements. This misinformation spread despite the successful interstate collaboration facilitated by the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood