Claims from the president, a former president and other presidential hopefuls made the list.
The Whoppers of 2023
Person: Lauren Boebert
Conservative Politicians, Commentators Recirculate Old Falsehood on Aid for Immigrants
Immigrants who come to the U.S. without authorization have very limited access to government benefits. But an old falsehood revived by conservatives conflates aid given to authorized refugees with the limited assistance available to immigrants who entered the country illegally. The claim also inflates the benefits given to refugees.
Posts Misrepresent Status of Paul Pelosi’s DUI Charges
Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was arrested for alleged drunken driving on May 28. Posts on social media falsely claim that the DUI charges against Pelosi have been dropped. But the Napa County District Attorney’s Office said the case is still under review and no decision has been made on the charges.
Trump and Boebert’s Oil Spin
Former President Donald Trump said he had gotten the U.S. to a point where “we didn’t need the Middle East” for “energy.” And now, he said, “we’re going back to them asking them for help.” But the U.S. has continued to import a smaller amount of its petroleum from the Middle East under President Joe Biden.
Artificial Beef About Biden’s Climate Plan
When President Joe Biden announced plans to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by the end of the decade, he made no mention of reducing beef consumption. But that hasn’t stopped baseless speculation that he would.