Did a Florida Court Name April 1 as a Holiday for Atheists?
A joke from a Facebook “Christian” group continues to spread online with no explanation of its origins.
Disinformation
Did ‘a Muslim Man’ Disrupt a Concert in the Netherlands?
Several versions of a story about a Muslim man who disrupted a concert in the Netherlands to invite Queen Beatrix of Holland to the Islamic faith. Some versions say that the man was the orchestra conductor and that all the members of the orchestra walked off the stage in a sign of solidarity.
Did George Soros Try to ‘Control’ the Gun Industry?
This claim was so outlandish even the NRA came out against it — but it’s still lingering online, as it was designed to do.
‘Avoid Shopping Malls on Halloween’
Not long after the 9-11 attacks of 2001, a chain email sowed fears of a second strike.
Would a Senate Bill Ban Schoolbooks from Mentioning ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’?
The disinformation of 2006 and subsequent years has formed the backbone of right-wing policy in 2022.
List of ‘Facts and Figures’ About Undocumented Immigrants?
A chain email turned into a meme claims to be a list of “facts” about unauthorized immigration to the United States, but it fails badly on the “facts” front.
‘Obama Signed the SNAP Fairness Act of 2014’
A short-lived blog’s attempt at humor hinged on mocking the Obama administration — and the poor.
The Long History of the ‘Slavery Tax Refund’ Scam
Black seniors have long been targeted via mail and online — but legitimate efforts for reparations have also advanced in recent years.
Did a Needle Infected With HIV Inside a McDonald’s Kill a Child?
A chain email used the story of “Kevin Archer” to drum up lazy fearmongering.
‘How Budweiser Handled Those Who Laughed at 9/11’
A xenophobic message that circulated within days of the attacks lingers as online swill.