Ayn Rand Institute PPP Controversy
A February 2022 Imgur Twitter screenshot suggested the Ayn Rand Institute sought and accepted PPP loans from the federal government.
2022
James Hemings and Macaroni and Cheese
Several Black History Month posts credited James Hemings as the inventor of macaroni and cheese.
Did a GOP Lawmaker Accuse Nancy Pelosi of Having a ‘Gazpacho Police’?
The Georgia Republican made the gaffe while pushing still more far-right disinformation.
‘First Article Of Impeachment Laid Out Against Joe Biden,’ February 2022 Headline
A bait-and-switch headline about a “first article of impeachment … against Joe Biden” rendered one way when shared on social platforms, and another for the few who clicked before sharing.
Ottawa Honking Ban
A judge in Ottawa issued a temporary ten-day injunction against honking, as social media posts using coded “honk honk” references proliferated.
‘Fun Little Trick in the Sunday New York Times Crossword’
Social media posts across platforms showed a tweet about a “fun little trick” in the February 6 2022 puzzle.
Eisenhower: ‘Don’t Join the Book Burners’
A quote meme about book burning attributed to U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower circulated amid discourse about banned books in early 2022.
‘2 Million People Are in the Streets of Ottawa Demanding Their Freedom’
Perhaps two million people gathered somewhere — but not in this picture.
Michigan Candidate Ryan Kelley ‘Unplug Voting Machines’ Meme
A circulating meme claimed that a Michigan Republican running for governor of the state advised an audience to “unplug voting machines” if they were suspicious, and to go to polls armed.
‘Suicide Hotline Collected, Monetized’ Caller Data
Screenshots on Imgur showed what appeared to be a blog post indicating that a suicide hotline stored and “monetized” data of callers.