‘I Did My Own Research’ Gravestone Meme
In late September 2021, an image of a macabre-but-timely “I did my own research” gravestone as Halloween decor spread virally across social media.
September 2021
Ireland vs. Alabama COVID-19 Stats
A September 28 2021 Imgur post (below) purportedly contrasted the state of Alabama with the Republic of Ireland in “Covid stats”; it appeared to be a screenshot of a post to r/Ireland from the same day: With the exception of the Reddit post’s last line (“… get the vaccine,”) both posts were identical. Eight bullet …
Do National Son’s Day and National Daughter’s Day Even Exist?
On September 27 2021, Facebook user Owen Youngman posted about “National Son’s Day” and “National Daughter’s Day,” two purported “National Days” prompting significant social media engagement. Youngman’s post encompassed two distinct topics we have addressed in recent fact checks: PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT cut and pasted from a professional colleague who advises large companies on digital …
Do National Son’s Day and National Daughter’s Day Even Exist? Read More »
‘Facebook’s Top Ten’ on Twitter Abruptly Changes
On September 28 2021, a single tweet from the “Facebook’s Top 10” Twitter account became notable not for what it showed, but for what it didn’t: The account, which was created in July 2020 and is curated by New York Times tech journalist Kevin Roose, publishes daily tweets concerning the sources of “the 10 top-performing …
‘Facebook’s Top Ten’ on Twitter Abruptly Changes Read More »
DHS Report Confirms Border Officials’ Surveillance Against Journalists and Activists
Federal officials say border authorities wrongfully conducted surveillance against journalists and activists crossing between the United States and Mexico — but the United States stopped short of commenting on whether they broke the law in doing so. The Department of Homeland Security’s report addressed a practice first brought to light in a in a March …
DHS Report Confirms Border Officials’ Surveillance Against Journalists and Activists Read More »
Did Dozens of Massachusetts State Police Resign over Vaccine Mandate?
A number of outlets reported that “dozens” of Massachusetts State Police resigned over a mandatory vaccine policy.
‘Covid Killed 47 Out Of Every 100,000 People’ in ‘Counties Where Trump Got over 70 Percent of the Vote’
As COVID-19 continued to rage through the United States in late September 2021, a tweet (later shared to Imgur) claimed that the virus killed 47 out of 100,000 people in counties where former U.S. President Donald Trump received 70 percent or more of the vote versus 10 out of 100,000 in counties where he received 32 …
Rasmussen: ‘Trump 2024 Would Beat Either Biden or Harris’
On September 24 2021, AmericanMilitaryNews.com published a story headlined, “Rasmussen poll: Trump beating Biden 51%-41% in 2024 presidential poll,” which claimed: Donald Trump would defeat both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris if the former president decides to run in 2024, a new poll revealed Thursday [September 23 2021]. According to a Rasmussen Reports …
Rasmussen: ‘Trump 2024 Would Beat Either Biden or Harris’ Read More »
How to Fight Disinformation — Part III: Distraction
It’s not just your imagination — your attention span and energy levels are under attack.
Most Hospitals ‘Legally Have to Forgive Your Medical Bills’ if You Make Under 300 Percent of the Federal Poverty Line
A viral TikTok purportedly explains how medical debt can be legally forgiven.