John Fetterman, Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor who is running for the U.S. Senate, has tattoos on his arms, some of which memorialize victims of violence. But conservative pundits — including Newt Gingrich — claim, without proof, that his tattoos suggest drug use and ties to a violent street gang.
Locations: National
American Dream Federal Action
A hybrid PAC that says it supports “forward-looking” Republican candidates.
Our American Century
A GOP super PAC funded in part by former President Trump’s leadership PAC
COVID-19 Vaccine Opponents Misrepresent CDC Webcast on Causes of Blood Clots
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hosted an online seminar about the treatment of blood clots, which is expected to grow as the U.S. population ages and the obesity rate increases. But some vaccine opponents misrepresented the webinar to falsely suggest that the projected rise in blood clots is related to the COVID-19 vaccines.
Biden’s Misleading Claims About the Economic Recovery and Unemployment
When President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law in March 2021, U.S. gross domestic product had increased for three quarters straight, and the unemployment rate had decreased nearly nine percentage points from its pandemic peak. But Biden wrongly credited the Democratic COVID-19 relief bill with rescuing a U.S. economy “in decline.”
Republican Talking Point Omits Key Details About Stimulus Payments to Inmates
Viral Posts Spin Falsehood Out of Denmark’s COVID-19 Booster Drive
Denmark announced a plan for its fall COVID-19 vaccination drive, saying it will offer omicron-specific booster shots to high-risk individuals, including everyone 50 and over. But U.S.-based misinformation peddlers misleadingly suggest that means the shots are unsafe for those under 50. The Danish Health Authority said that is a misinterpretation.
Florida GOP Attacks Crist with Misleading Claims About the IRS and Police
President Biden and Democrat Charlie Crist have said that they don’t support calls to defund the police. And a law that both men supported provides funding for the IRS to potentially hire tens of thousands of new employees — mostly in customer service, not tax auditing, bureau officials have said. But a Florida GOP ad makes distorted claims about both issues.
Biden Hasn’t Officially Filed for Reelection, Contrary to Social Media Claims
Commentator Ben Shapiro Didn’t Receive $20K in Federal Loan Forgiveness
Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro criticized the Biden administration’s decision to forgive some student loan debt. Liberal social media accounts then falsely claimed Shapiro had received a loan of about $20,000 that had been forgiven as part of the federal Paycheck Protection Program. Two other people with the same name had received PPP loans.