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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Viral Posts Spread Iran-‘Deep State’ Conspiracy Theory

Viral Posts Spread Iran-‘Deep State’ Conspiracy Theory

An online conspiracy theory falsely claims that Democratic leaders coordinated the June attacks on two oil tankers and a U.S. drone and that President Donald Trump caught them in the act. The Trump administration has placed the blame squarely on Iran.

O’Rourke Not Alone in Support of Mandatory Buyback

O’Rourke Not Alone in Support of Mandatory Buyback

Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke has faced backlash from Republicans, and some Democrats, for his debate-night advocacy of a mandatory buyback program for so-called assault weapons. But Sen. Chuck Schumer went too far when he said, “I don’t know of any other Democrat who agrees with Beto O’Rourke.”

Democratic Medicare Spin

Democratic Medicare Spin

Democratic lawmakers claim the president’s proposed 2020 budget would “ransack” or “slash” Medicare and Medicaid, likening it to an “assault on Medicare” and “the health care of seniors and families across America.” Experts agree the proposed cuts to Medicaid are significant, but many of the Medicare proposals echo those of Barack Obama and wouldn’t directly affect beneficiaries.

Democrats Mislead on Military Pay, Pensions

Democrats Mislead on Military Pay, Pensions

Several Democrats have claimed that the president’s emergency declaration could “raid” or “take money away” from military pay and pensions to fund construction of the border wall. But the money is actually leftover funding due to lower-than-expected recruits and fewer early retirements.

FactChecking the Trump-Pelosi-Schumer Scuffle

FactChecking the Trump-Pelosi-Schumer Scuffle

In a contentious Oval Office meeting, President Donald Trump and the Democratic congressional leaders — Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer — disagreed over funding for a border wall, mangling some facts in the process.

Meme Repeats False Schumer Quote

Meme Repeats False Schumer Quote

Q: Did Sen. Chuck Schumer say “it’s racist to only allow citizens to vote”?

A: No. A Facebook meme and viral stories continue to incorrectly quote the Senate Democratic leader.

Phony Schumer Sex Scandal Rebooted

Phony Schumer Sex Scandal Rebooted

Q: Did Sen. Chuck Schumer have an affair with a 16-year-old girl?

A: No. That claim was originally made up by a self-described satirical website, but has been circulating on right-wing social media accounts as though it happened.

Kavanaugh Files: The Affordable Care Act

Kavanaugh Files: The Affordable Care Act

Several Democratic senators have claimed that Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh’s history shows he would be a danger on the court to the Affordable Care Act. We examine Kavanaugh’s dissents in cases involving the ACA.

Calls to Abolish ICE Not ‘Open Borders’

Calls to Abolish ICE Not ‘Open Borders’

Despite President Donald Trump’s repeated claims, Democrats are not advocating open borders, not even the ones who are calling to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Who’s to Blame for Higher Gas Prices?

Who’s to Blame for Higher Gas Prices?

With gasoline prices rising, Sen. Chuck Schumer placed the blame on President Donald Trump, and specifically his decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal. But experts say that decision has had only a modest effect so far on rising prices at the pump.