There were some new clashes, and plenty of claims we’ve heard before, as seven Republican candidates faced off in California.
FactChecking the Second GOP Primary Debate
Video: Hearst on Updated COVID-19 Vaccines
Hearst Television, one of our media partners, produced this segment of “Get the Facts” partly based on our Q&A article on the updated COVID-19 vaccines.
Q&A on Looming Government Shutdown
The federal government is heading to a shutdown, if Congress doesn’t pass funding legislation by the time the clock strikes midnight on Sept. 30. We’ll explain what that means and what government services could be affected.
Missouri State Senators in Video Were Burning Boxes, Not Books
Two Missouri state senators participated in a fundraising event that included a demonstration of flamethrowers that were up for auction. Videos shared on Instagram falsely claimed to show the senators engaged in a “book burning.” But only empty boxes, not books, were being torched.
Posts Push Unproven ‘Spike Protein Detoxification’ Regimen
Serious side effects after COVID-19 vaccination are rare, and there isn’t evidence people need to undergo a “spike protein detoxification” regimen after getting vaccinated, contrary to claims made online. Nor has such a regimen been shown to help people recover from long COVID, or long-term health problems after having COVID-19.
FactChecking Trump on ‘Meet the Press’
Kristen Welker’s first week as the new moderator of NBC’s “Meet the Press” featured an interview with former President Donald Trump, and she was busy trying to push back on his numerous false and misleading statements.
Flu Shots, MMR Vaccines Have Saved Millions of Lives, Contrary to Online Claim
Flu shots and vaccines that protect children against measles, mumps and rubella have been effective in preventing illness, serious disease and death. But a meme has been circulating with the false suggestion that those vaccines are ineffective. Actually, they’ve saved millions of lives and have eliminated both measles and rubella in the U.S.
Post Makes False Claim About Children Missing After Maui Wildfires
The wildfires in Maui caused widespread destruction on the island and claimed the lives of 97 people. The Maui Police Department and the FBI have released the list of 31 individuals still unaccounted for following the fire. Yet an Instagram post falsely claims “over 1,000 children are missing.”
Launching Impeachment Inquiries: Reviewing What Happened in 2019 and 2023
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reneged on his promise not to move forward with an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden without having a full vote by the House of Representatives. When defending his reversal, McCarthy blamed his predecessor, Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi. We sort out their conflicting statements.
Another Ad Attacking Beshear’s Pandemic Commutations in Kentucky Distorts Facts
In its latest TV ad attacking Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, the conservative super PAC School Freedom Fund falsely claims that Beshear’s decision to release some prisoners early during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed a man convicted of sodomizing a child to “roam free.”