Claims from the president, a former president and other presidential hopefuls made the list.
The Whoppers of 2023
Issues: abortion
Post Spreads Misleading Information About Texas Abortion Case
Kate Cox petitioned to be allowed to have an abortion in Texas to “protect her life, health, and future fertility,” after receiving news that her baby was unlikely to survive, according to her court filing. A popular Instagram post misrepresented Cox’s specific case and also made misleading claims about trisomy 18, the condition affecting her pregnancy.
FactChecking DeSantis-Newsom Debate
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and California Gov. Gavin Newsom — who head two of the largest states in the country — squared off in a debate on Nov. 30 on Fox News. The governors spun, mangled and exaggerated some of the facts on issues including COVID-19, migration, abortion, book bans and gasoline prices.
Unpacking Democratic Ad Attacking DeSantis, Florida Abortion Law
An ad from a political action committee tied to California Gov. Gavin Newsom claims that a law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis would subject women who get an abortion after six weeks to felony charges. DeSantis’ campaign calls the claim “a lie.” We look at what the law says — and doesn’t say — that has caused some concern and confusion.
FactChecking the Third GOP Primary Debate
Five candidates took the stage in Miami and twisted the facts on China, abortion and U.S. life expectancy.
FactChecking Trump on ‘Meet the Press’
Kristen Welker’s first week as the new moderator of NBC’s “Meet the Press” featured an interview with former President Donald Trump, and she was busy trying to push back on his numerous false and misleading statements.
Trump Walked Back Abortion Statement Misleadingly Used in Biden-Harris Ad
As a presidential candidate seven years ago, Donald Trump said women needed to face “some form” of punishment for violating abortion bans — a position he quickly retracted after being criticized. But the former president’s original remark about punishing women is misleadingly featured in an ad from the campaign to reelect President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Video: Hearst on the First GOP Debate
Our article about the first Republican debate of the 2024 election was the basis for this fact-checking video segment produced by Hearst Television — one of our media partners.
FactChecking the First GOP Debate
Eight Republicans kicked off the 2024 presidential election debates in Milwaukee.
Posts Make False Claim About Cause of Gender Dysphoria
Recent research suggests that gender dysphoria is likely caused by a combination of factors, including hormone exposure before birth. But social media posts make the baseless claim that it could be caused by a vaccine containing DNA from an aborted fetus of the opposite sex. There is no scientific evidence for such a claim, experts said.