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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

No Evidence to Back COVID-19 Ibuprofen Concerns

No Evidence to Back COVID-19 Ibuprofen Concerns

Q: Does ibuprofen make COVID-19 worse?

A: There is no evidence that ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can make COVID-19 cases more severe. You should consult your doctor before changing medications.

Pelosi, a Ripped Speech, and the Records Debate

Pelosi, a Ripped Speech, and the Records Debate

Q: Did House Speaker Nancy Pelosi break the law by ripping up the president’s State of the Union address?

A: Legal experts have widely dismissed the idea that Pelosi’s copy of the address would be subject to a criminal statute cited by some conservatives.

Did Obama Fire All Bush-Appointed Ambassadors?

Did Obama Fire All Bush-Appointed Ambassadors?

Q: Did President Barack Obama immediately fire all Bush-appointed ambassadors “the day he was elected office”?
A: No. As is the custom, Obama immediately replaced most — not all — of Bush’s politically appointed ambassadors. Obama did not remove any of the career appointees to ambassadorships.

The Facts on Mental Illness and Mass Shootings

The Facts on Mental Illness and Mass Shootings

Q: Do people with serious mental health disorders pose a greater risk of becoming mass shooters?
A: People with mental illnesses are somewhat more likely to be violent than those without a diagnosis. But a majority are never violent, and very little is known specifically about mass murder.

Trump’s History of Hurricane Relief Donations

Trump’s History of Hurricane Relief Donations

Q: Did President Donald Trump donate $1 million to hurricane relief efforts in the Bahamas?

A: Despite social media claims to the contrary, there is no evidence of such a donation. He did, however, donate to relief efforts in 2017 after Hurricane Harvey. 

Post Misleads on Congressional Salaries, Social Security

Post Misleads on Congressional Salaries, Social Security

Q: Did members of Congress approve a salary increase for themselves and deny an increase in Social Security benefits? 

A: No. Congress is still contemplating whether to allow an automatic pay increase for its members, and it does not determine cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security beneficiaries.

The ‘Raccoon’ Rant Not Written by Steve Harvey

The ‘Raccoon’ Rant Not Written by Steve Harvey

Q: Did the comedian Steve Harvey author a post in support of President Donald Trump circulating on social media?

A: No. It was written by an anonymous, 80-year-old American, according to the conservative website that first published it in 2016.

Addressing New York’s New Abortion Law

Addressing New York’s New Abortion Law

Q: Does the new New York law allow full-term abortions?

A: The law permits abortions after 24 weeks if a health care professional determines the health or life of the mother is at risk, or the fetus is not viable.

Bibles Aren’t Required for the Oath of Office

Bibles Aren’t Required for the Oath of Office

Q: Did the Supreme Court rule that it is illegal to take the oath of office with anything but the Bible?

A: No. That is a made-up claim that originated on a self-described satirical website.