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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Baseless Conspiracy Theories Follow Key Bridge Collapse

Baseless Conspiracy Theories Follow Key Bridge Collapse

The Francis Scott Key Bridge near Baltimore collapsed after being hit by a cargo ship in the early morning on March 26. Although all evidence points to an accident, conspiracy theorists spread the baseless claim that it was intentionally caused by a “cyber-attack.” Officials have dismissed the claim.

Post Misrepresents Which Administration Sent Stimulus Checks to Dead People

Post Misrepresents Which Administration Sent Stimulus Checks to Dead People

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, some stimulus checks were sent to people who had died. The issue was explained in government reports and the media when it happened in 2020. But a social media post has resurrected the issue and falsely claimed that it occurred during the Biden administration. It actually happened during the Trump administration.

Posts Distort Missouri Divorce Law Regarding Pregnancy

Posts Distort Missouri Divorce Law Regarding Pregnancy

There’s no law in Missouri that prevents pregnant women from getting divorced. But social media posts claim Missouri women “cannot divorce their spouse if they are pregnant.” Legal experts told us a judge may wait to finalize a divorce until after a baby is born to determine custody and other arrangements.

FactChecking Trump’s ‘Fact Check’ of the State of the Union

FactChecking Trump’s ‘Fact Check’ of the State of the Union

Former President Donald Trump promised to provide a live “play by play” via Truth Social to “correct, in rapid response, any and all inaccurate Statements” made by President Joe Biden during his State of the Union address. But we found many of Trump’s alleged corrections were … factually incorrect.

Amy Schumer Has Endometriosis, Not a Vaccine-Related Ailment

Amy Schumer Has Endometriosis, Not a Vaccine-Related Ailment

Comedian Amy Schumer has said she’s having “some medical and hormonal” issues related to endometriosis that have affected her appearance. But some social media users are falsely claiming that Schumer announced she is suffering from a vaccine-related ailment. Schumer has said no such thing.

Texas Abortion Recipients Not Subject to Penalty, Contrary to Online Claims

Texas Abortion Recipients Not Subject to Penalty, Contrary to Online Claims

Abortion is illegal in Texas, with narrow exceptions for the life and health of a pregnant patient. Those who provide abortions can face stiff penalties, but Texas law specifies that those who get an abortion are not to be penalized. Posts have been circulating online falsely claiming that those who get an abortion in Texas can face fines and prison time.

Posts Misrepresent Saudi Prince’s Comment on Investment in Kushner Fund

Posts Misrepresent Saudi Prince’s Comment on Investment in Kushner Fund

Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund invested money with Jared Kushner, former President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, after he left the White House in 2021. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Fox News that the fund would keep its commitment to that investment. But social media posts are making the unfounded claim that Kushner has to return the money.

Posts Sling Baseless Claims at Judge in Defamation Case Against Trump

Posts Sling Baseless Claims at Judge in Defamation Case Against Trump

Misinformation peddlers baselessly claim a judge who presided over the defamation case that ended with an $83 million verdict against former President Donald Trump is linked to sex trafficking, noting that the judge dismissed a case related to Jeffrey Epstein. But the Epstein-related case was settled by the parties, and the defamation verdict was rendered by a jury.