An old meme from Ben Carson’s days as a Republican candidate for president is circulating again. But there’s still no evidence that he said, “My mother raised me with no help from the government.”
Phony Ben Carson Quote About Public Assistance
Stories by Saranac Hale Spencer
Staff Writer, FactCheck.org
What Kissinger Has Said About Trump
A post circulating on Facebook wrongly attributes several quotes about President Donald Trump to former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.
Meme Distorts Facts on Refugees, Social Security
A meme circulating on Facebook gives the false impression that there is no cap on the number of refugees that can be admitted to the U.S., and that Social Security beneficiaries did not receive a cost-of-living increase this year.
Old Decision in Tax Lawsuit Gets New Spin
A website known for spreading misinformation writes that a man who cited religious reasons for not paying his income taxes “has won an historic lawsuit against the IRS.” That’s misleading. One charge was dropped, but four others have yet to be determined.
Deceptive Facebook Post Distorts Rally Against Hate
A Facebook post falsely describes a video of an interdenominational rally against Islamophobia as a “Muslim rally … demanding their Sharia Rights.”
Fake Elizabeth Warren Quote About Rape
For over two years, memes have been circulating with a picture of Sen. Elizabeth Warren next to a fake, Islamophobic quote condoning rape.
Daylight Saving Time Spoof Story Not Real
A story satirizing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal has been turned into a meme that is circulating without a satire disclaimer. She did not say she wants to repeal daylight saving time because of climate change.
Germany Not Seeking Ambassador’s Removal
Viral posts online claim incorrectly that Germany has requested the removal of the American ambassador. An opposition party lawmaker in Germany’s Parliament called for that, but the German government itself has not taken that position.
Satirical Story on Harris Treated as Fact
A story originally written as satire has been circulating online without a disclaimer, sparking angry comments from social media users on the story’s made-up claim that a new bill from Sen. Kamala Harris would restrict the use of weapons by police.
Meme Distorts Quran Verses
A viral meme has paired old misrepresentations of the Quran with a picture of Rep. Ilhan Omar.