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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Trump Left Biden a ‘Generous’ Note

Trump Left Biden a ‘Generous’ Note

Former President Donald Trump left a note for President Joe Biden, contrary to a popular claim online suggesting that he did not. Biden confirmed he received a letter, which he called “generous,” but did not disclose its contents.

False Claim of ‘No Flag’ Above White House

False Claim of ‘No Flag’ Above White House

Before President Joe Biden’s inauguration, social media users shared a false claim that there was no flag flying over the White House — suggesting it was a sign that the military had taken control of the government. In fact, the flag was flying above the White House on Jan. 20, and Biden is president.

Bogus Claim Swirls Ahead of Biden Inauguration

Bogus Claim Swirls Ahead of Biden Inauguration

A bogus headline on social media claims that President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration has been cancelled and that major TV networks are set to “lose” their “licenses.” The falsehood relies on a debunked post wrongly claiming that President Donald Trump has “invoked” the Insurrection Act and will remain in power.

False Claim of Trump Invoking Insurrection Act

False Claim of Trump Invoking Insurrection Act

A falsehood on social media claims President Donald Trump has “invoked” the Insurrection Act, seized control of the country through the military and will “remain president indefinitely.” A Defense Department spokesman told us he was not “aware of any actions” regarding the Insurrection Act.

False Claims of Fraud in Georgia Runoffs

False Claims of Fraud in Georgia Runoffs

Online posts falsely claim that there was fraud in the Senate runoff elections in Georgia, but the only evidence they offer are clips of election night newscasts that corrected two data-entry errors.

Flawed Calculation Behind False Claim of Fraudulent Votes

Flawed Calculation Behind False Claim of Fraudulent Votes

President Donald Trump and tens of thousands of others have shared a false claim on social media that there were “13 MILLION” more votes cast in the 2020 election than eligible voters who participated. That falsehood rests on a flawed calculation.

Audit in Michigan County Refutes Dominion Conspiracy Theory

Audit in Michigan County Refutes Dominion Conspiracy Theory

A hand count of paper ballots in Antrim County, Michigan, has verified the election results there, refuting a “forensics report” promoted by President Donald Trump that baselessly claimed the election equipment in the county was “designed” to create “systemic fraud and influence election results.” Experts said the faulty report showed a misunderstanding of voting system technology.

Anti-Vaccine Posts Use Deceptively Edited Video Clip

Anti-Vaccine Posts Use Deceptively Edited Video Clip

Social media pages that share anti-vaccine messages have used a selectively edited news clip that suggests the COVID-19 vaccine is unsafe. The clip shows a nurse fainting after she gets the vaccine, but it doesn’t show her quick recovery afterward when she explains that she is prone to fainting when triggered by even a slight pain.

Alabama Officials Debunk False Claim of COVID-19 Vaccine Death

Alabama Officials Debunk False Claim of COVID-19 Vaccine Death

A false claim that an unidentified nurse died after getting the COVID-19 vaccine in Alabama has been feeding into the anti-vaccine disinformation online. The Alabama Department of Public Health reported that no one who has received the vaccine has died.

Instagram Post Distorts Facts on COVID-19 Death Reporting

Instagram Post Distorts Facts on COVID-19 Death Reporting

An Instagram post falsely claims that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting all pneumonia and influenza deaths as caused by COVID-19. That’s wrong and is based on a misreading of one type of monitoring the agency conducts.