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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Photo of Soldiers During Trump Visit Not ‘Fake’

Photo of Soldiers During Trump Visit Not ‘Fake’

A popular social media meme erroneously claims Fox News posted a “fake picture” of U.S. soldiers cheering President Donald Trump during his recent visit to Afghanistan. The image used in the meme was doctored to make it appear that the event had been staged.

Another Bogus Claim About Nancy Pelosi

Another Bogus Claim About Nancy Pelosi

A self-described satirical website made up a story about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi being kicked out of an event after a “drunken outburst.” That bogus story since has been posted on other websites without being labeled as satire.

Photo Manipulated to Show Schiff With Epstein

Photo Manipulated to Show Schiff With Epstein

A doctored photo circulating on Facebook purports to show Rep. Adam Schiff with the late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The original photo shows Schiff with his father.

Viral Headlines Wrongly Report Indictment in Ukraine

Viral Headlines Wrongly Report Indictment in Ukraine

Ukrainian prosecutors said they have expanded their investigation involving Mykola Zlochevsky, the owner of Burisma, a gas company in Ukraine. But no “indictment” has been announced, as false headlines circulating on social media claim.

Meme Distorts Hatch Quote

Meme Distorts Hatch Quote

A meme on Facebook misrepresents a year-old comment from former Sen. Orrin Hatch. He did not say, “I don’t care if Trump broke the law.” Hatch said, “I don’t care” about allegations that Trump paid hush money to two women, “because I don’t think he was involved in crimes.”

False Meme about California’s ‘Illegal Aliens’

False Meme about California’s ‘Illegal Aliens’

A meme on Facebook falsely claims that the California attorney general “bragged there are now 10 Million Illegal Aliens” in the state, when in fact he was talking about immigrants. The estimated number of people living in the state illegally ranges from 2 million to 3.1 million.

Revived Falsehood that Trump Fired ‘Muslim Judge’

Revived Falsehood that Trump Fired ‘Muslim Judge’

A viral story shared on Facebook falsely claims President Donald Trump has fired a “Muslim federal judge” over “Sharia Law.” The story was published two years ago by a website that calls its work satire, but it is being spread again by a Tumblr site.

Bogus Photo Targets Rep. Elise Stefanik

Bogus Photo Targets Rep. Elise Stefanik

An altered image makes it look like Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik stuck up her middle finger in a House committee room at the end of a public impeachment inquiry hearing. She didn’t.

Erroneous Claim of ‘End of Youth Hunting’ in Virginia

Erroneous Claim of ‘End of Youth Hunting’ in Virginia

Posts on Facebook wrongly claim that Virginia has “announced the end of youth hunting.” The state’s Department of Game & Inland Fisheries confirmed that there have been “no such changes” in state laws, and scheduled youth hunting days remain on the calendar.

Social Posts Distort Facts on Political Relationships

Social Posts Distort Facts on Political Relationships

Social media posts falsely claim that California Gov. Gavin Newsom is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s nephew, and that Rep. Adam Schiff has a sister who is married to the son of George Soros. It also falsely states that a daughter of former Secretary of State John Kerry is married to a “mullah’s son in Iran.”