DNC_wall_bernie_barrier

Did Democrats Put Up a Four-Mile Fence Around the DNC in 2016?

On December 28, 2018, a Facebook user commented on a debate over border wall funding by sharing a photograph of a purported four-mile long fence erected around the Democratic National Convention (DNC): Alongside the image, the user posted a comment: A 4 mile long fence in Philadelphia around the Democratic national convention … just saying …

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defeat_america_liberal_leaders

Does a Protester’s Sign Say ‘We Will Defeat America Using the Weakness of Liberal Leaders’?

In late 2018 and early 2019, an image circulated of a man holding a sign that read: “We Will Defeat America By Using The Weakness Of Liberal Leaders”: The image rarely appeared with any backstory, and it served as something of a Rorschach test. The “we” who might “defeat America” was implicit only in the …

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obama_shutdown_force_obamacare

Did President Barack Obama Shut Down the Government to ‘Force Obamacare’ in 2013?

On December 29, 2018, a Facebook user posted a status update claiming that a federal shutdown over border wall funding was similar to one in 2013 — and it was purportedly initiated by President Barack Obama: This was nearly identical to a December 22, 2018 post shared hundreds of thousands of times. The version above (which …

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irs_refunds_government_shutdown

Is the IRS Suspending Tax Refunds During the Government Shutdown?

On December 22, 2018 the United States government shut down, suspending the functions and payrolls of numerous federal agencies. As the shutdown continued into January 2019, concern and rumors began to spread over whether tax refunds issued by the Internal Revenue Service would be delayed — or suspended entirely. News and gossip site The Shade Room …

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democrats_needles_san_francisco

Is This a Picture of Used Syringes Recovered in ‘Democrat Run’ San Francisco?

On December 20, 2018, the Facebook page Try Decaf shared a photograph, purportedly showing used needles “found on the streets of Democrat run San Francisco”: As of January 4, 2019, the image had been shared thousands of times. Angry users commented on the photograph: paid for by these cities! give them free drugs and needles! …

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americans_muslim_extremist_deaths

Are Deaths Listed in a ‘2018 Muslim Threat’ Tweet Accurate?

On January 1, 2019, civil rights lawyer and podcast host Qasim Rashid, Esq. tweeted a purported breakdown of the so-called “Muslim threat” relative to other risks to Americans in 2018: 2018 Recap of the “Muslim threat” Americans killed by: •Americans w/guns: 40,000 •Falling out of bed: 700 •Hit by bus: 260 •Lawnmowers: 70 •Lightning: 30 …

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american_boomers_japan_nuclear

Is a Tweet Contrasting American and Japanese Generations Accurate?

On December 22, 2018, the Facebook page Ethan Berk shared an image referencing baby boomers, older people in Japan, and the attitudes of the two groups: The image involved several components, including commentary at the top, a purported tweet from BBC News, and subsequent remarks made in reference to the tweet. Together, it read: North …

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Are More Americans Killed Annually by Lack of Affordable Healthcare Than by Terrorists or Undocumented Immigrants?

On December 20 2018, the Facebook page “Teanderthal Party” posted the following meme about healthcare, “illegal immigration,” terror attacks, and the mortality rate in the United States: It stated: FACT: More Americans die every year from lack of affordable healthcare than from terrorist attacks and illegal immigration combined. Teanderthal Party didn’t share any commentary alongside …

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