Hearst Television — one of our media partners — produced this fact-checking video segment featuring our article on President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address.
Video: Hearst on the State of the Union
Moisture-Absorbent Tablet in Pregnancy Tests, Not ‘Hidden Plan B’ Pill
Pregnancy tests contain a desiccant tablet to absorb moisture and keep the test dry before use. But posts on social media falsely claim the tablet is a “hidden plan B” pill. Companies that produce pregnancy tests include a warning on their websites not to consume the desiccant tablets inside.
FactChecking the State of the Union
Biden’s address to Congress included claims that didn’t tell the full story.
COVID-19 Vaccines Can Slightly Alter Menstrual Cycle Temporarily, But Don’t Harm Fertility
Research suggests COVID-19 vaccination can cause changes in a person’s menstrual cycle. But the changes are small and short-lived — and studies have shown there’s no effect on fertility. Yet people on social media are suggesting the cycle changes are evidence of harm.
FBI Reimbursed Twitter for Providing User Information
In an email to a Twitter lawyer in February 2021, an unidentified Twitter employee wrote that the company had received over $3.4 million from the FBI since October 2019 as reimbursement for Twitter’s processing of legal requests for user information. That is not evidence that the FBI paid Twitter to “censor” or “suppress” content.
Post Misstates Quote from Starbucks CEO on Marriage
Starbucks has a long history of supporting LGBTQ rights and same-sex marriage. But a post on social media twists a 2013 statement from its CEO at the time to falsely claim he said don’t buy Starbucks coffee “if you support traditional marriage.”
Hannity’s Dubious Claim About Studies Showing ‘No Systemic Racism in Policing’
Discussing the fallout from the death of Tyre Nichols, Fox News’ Sean Hannity said two academic studies found police officers are as or less likely to shoot Black suspects, showing, “There is no systemic racism in policing. It doesn’t exist.” But that’s not what the studies say.
U.S. Spent Much More in Afghan War Than in Support for Ukraine So Far, Contrary to Online Claim
The U.S. spent more than $849 billion in the 20-year war in Afghanistan and has spent about $113 billion to support Ukraine since Russia invaded in 2022. But a video on social media falsely claims that the aid for Ukraine is “double the U.S. expenditure for its own war in Afghanistan.”
It’s Too Soon to Attribute the California Storms to Climate Change, Experts Say
The relentless storms that hit California from Dec. 27 to Jan. 16 caused extreme flooding and extensive damage, killing at least 22 people. Climate scientists told us it’s too soon to know whether climate change had a role in this particular event, and if so, to what degree.
Democrats Misleadingly Suggest Widespread GOP Support for FairTax Bill Unlikely to Become Law
Few Republican lawmakers have publicly supported the FairTax Act, but that hasn’t stopped Democratic leaders from suggesting that the bill has wide support among congressional Republicans.