A not-so-fond look back at the worst viral deceptions of the year.
The Viral Spiral of 2018
Issues: immigration
Several Administrations Used Tear Gas at the Border
Q: During the Obama administration, did Border Patrol agents use tear gas to control crowds of migrants during incidents at the U.S.-Mexico border?
A: Yes, and the gas was also used by administrations prior to his, news reports say.
The Caravan, the CDC and a False Flight
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is not flying sick migrants from the caravan into the country, as a story that originated on a self-proclaimed “alt-news” website claims.
Viral Posts Misinform on McCarran-Walter Act
The 1952 McCarran-Walter Act codified immigration policies. It doesn’t bar “Muslims from holding public office,” as social media posts erroneously claim.
Trump Misuses Data in 9th Circuit Attack
President Donald Trump wrongly tweeted that the largest federal appellate court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, is “overturned more than any circuit in the country, 79%.”
Bloody Border Patrol Photo is Eight Years Old
No border patrol officers were seriously injured in an encounter with migrants on Nov. 25, but a 2013 photo circulating online falsely claims to show a recently injured officer.
Trump’s Border Claims
After a group of migrants tried to breach the U.S. border at Tijuana, Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan said there were no “reported serious injuries on either side of the border.” But President Donald Trump told reporters the same day that “three Border Patrol people yesterday were very badly hurt through getting hit with rocks and stones.”
Republican Closing Ads: Immigration
In the final days of the 2018 election, Republicans across the country are running TV ads about immigration that falsely accuse some Democrats of wanting “open borders,” plotting to “abolish ICE,” supporting “sanctuary cities” and more.
Photo Not Related to ‘Caravan’
Q: Are the people shown dragging a Mexican police officer in a viral photo members of the “migrant caravan”?
A: No. The photo is from 2014 and shows riots following the disappearance of 43 students in southern Mexico.
Video: FactChecking Trump’s Wisconsin Rally
In this week’s fact-check video, CNN’s Jake Tapper looks at seven false or misleading claims President Donald Trump made at a recent campaign rally in Wisconsin.