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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

High Winds, Drought Conditions Led to Maui Fires, No Evidence Intentionally Set

High Winds, Drought Conditions Led to Maui Fires, No Evidence Intentionally Set

It’s not known what sparked the wildfires in Maui, although some evidence points to downed power lines. The conditions were ripe for fire, as large amounts of invasive grasses were dry due to drought and high winds helped to rapidly spread flames. Bogus posts on social media, however, are baselessly claiming the fires were intentionally set.

Q&A on Trump’s Georgia Indictment

Q&A on Trump’s Georgia Indictment

For the fourth time in a little more than four months, former President Donald Trump was indicted. Here we answer some questions about the Georgia state indictment, as we did for two federal indictments and a state indictment that was brought against Trump in New York.

Trump’s Co-Conspirators in Georgia

Trump’s Co-Conspirators in Georgia

In addition to former President Donald Trump, the indictment handed up by a state grand jury in Georgia names 18 defendants. Here we identify them and what they are alleged to have done.

RFK Jr.’s COVID-19 Deceptions

RFK Jr.’s COVID-19 Deceptions

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s battle against vaccines — and against the institutions that promote them — goes back to at least the mid-2000s, as we explain in the first article of this series. But the arrival of COVID-19 gave the environmental attorney fresh grounds to intensify his attacks and a timely platform to gain new followers and revenue.

What RFK Jr. Gets Wrong About Autism

What RFK Jr. Gets Wrong About Autism

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. makes a variety of incorrect or misleading claims about vaccines, COVID-19 and other health-related topics. But his views on vaccines rose to prominence when he began to advance the thoroughly debunked idea that they cause autism.

FactChecking Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

FactChecking Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent anti-vaccine advocate, is running for president as a Democrat. Our SciCheck team has combed through his recent interviews to identify and correct some of his most common health claims in a three-part series. In this first installment, we address several of his talking points about vaccines.

Indictment Details Trump’s Attempt to Overturn Swing State Election Outcomes

Indictment Details Trump’s Attempt to Overturn Swing State Election Outcomes

The federal indictment against former President Donald Trump, concerning his efforts to remain in office despite losing the election, details actions Trump and his co-conspirators allegedly took to get state officials to change legitimate electoral votes. The indictment says the pressure campaign involved knowingly making false claims of voter fraud — many of which we’ve written about before.

Q&A on Trump’s Jan. 6 Indictment

Q&A on Trump’s Jan. 6 Indictment

On Aug. 1, the Department of Justice filed an indictment against former President Donald Trump concerning his attempts to remain in power despite losing the 2020 presidential election — efforts that culminated in obstructing the counting of electoral votes on Jan. 6, 2021, the indictment charges.