Viral posts have erroneously claimed that Sen. Kamala Harris is the aunt of “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett, who police have accused of faking a hate crime.
No Evidence Sen. Harris, Smollett Are Related
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.
Old Photo Stirs Up New Immigration Concerns
A photo showing a large group of people apprehended at the southern border is circulating online with the false information that it was taken this month. It is from 2010.
Exaggerated Claims About Girl Scout Cookies
A viral meme claims that Girl Scout cookies support Planned Parenthood, but the organization says it has no “relationship or partnership with Planned Parenthood.”
Parody Ocasio-Cortez Tweet Mistaken as Real
A Twitter account parodying Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez posted a tweet in support of a woman who joined ISIS. The tweet went viral, but it is not from the congresswoman.
Misleading Message in Posts About Flint Water
Social media posts criticize President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency by making a misleading claim about federal funding for the water crisis in Flint, Michigan.
Meme Spreads Misinformation on Medicare
A meme with misinformation about Medicare eligibility and cost has been shared almost 500,000 times on Facebook.
Meme Misleads on Minnesota’s Somali Refugees
Facebook posts distort the number of Somali refugees who have resettled in Minnesota to advance an unsupported claim about a freshman congresswoman’s electoral victory.
O’Rourke Didn’t Trash Seniors and Veterans
There’s no evidence that former Rep. Beto O’Rourke made a series of disparaging comments about the elderly and veterans, despite what a popular meme claims.
Anti-Muslim Myth Gets A New Twist
Congress didn’t “quietly” repeal a law barring Muslims from serving in public office, as social media posts allege. No such law existed in the first place.
Falsehood About Pelosi’s Brother-in-Law Resurfaces
A viral story revives a falsehood about Nancy Pelosi’s brother-in-law and a federal loan guarantee for a Nevada solar plant.