Q: Have former White House staffers released a “private tape recording” of President Donald Trump?
A: No. That claim comes from a false headline on an old story.
No Release of ‘Private’ Trump Tapes
Debunking Viral Claims
FactCheck.org is one of several organizations working with Facebook to debunk misinformation shared on the social media network. We provide several resources for readers: a guide on how to flag suspicious stories on Facebook and a list of websites that have carried false or satirical articles, as well as a video and story on how to spot false stories.
Michelle Wolf Not Booted From Hulu
Q: Did Hulu cancel a Michelle Wolf comedy special because of the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner?
A: No. That claim originated on a self-described satire website. There’s no evidence Wolf was scheduled to do a special for Hulu.
False Headline in Philly Starbucks Settlement
Q: Did the two black men arrested in a Philadelphia Starbucks “settle for $2 million” from the city?
A: No. The city agreed to pay the men $1 each and establish a $200,000 grant program for young entrepreneurs. The men also received an undisclosed amount from Starbucks.
Michelle Wolf Not Fired From Comedy Central
Q: Did Comedy Central fire Michelle Wolf because of jokes she made at the White House Correspondents’ dinner?
A: No. That claim was made up by a self-described satirical website. She left “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central in December.
False Story Ties Sex Cult to Clintons
Q: Did actress Allison Mack confess to selling children to the Clintons and Rothschilds?
A: No. Mack has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking charges. She has not “confessed” to selling children to anyone.
Obama’s Private ‘Military’ Doesn’t Exist
Q: Did former President Barack Obama create a “security company” that’s a secret “military” organization?
A: There are no records of Obama starting a “security company” in the city and states cited by a viral claim.
Headline Misrepresents Executive Order
Q: Did President Donald Trump sign an executive order to “eliminate mass amounts of Democrat voters”?
A: No. Trump signed an executive order to change work requirements for welfare recipients.
False Headline on a Hot Topic
Q: Did Democrats in Maine legalize female genital mutilation?
A: No. That practice is illegal across the U.S.
Clearing Up A Misleading Headline
Q: Has Rod Rosenstein “cleared” President Donald Trump?
A: No. The investigation of Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen, and another into Russian meddling in the 2016 election are both ongoing.
California Bill Wouldn’t Ban the Bible
Q: Is California considering legislation that would ban the Bible?
A: No. Online stories making that claim have misrepresented a bill that would outlaw the advertising and selling of “sexual orientation change efforts.”