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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Sen. Mullin’s Misleading Vaccine Testing Claim

Sen. Mullin’s Misleading Vaccine Testing Claim

Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s suggestion that vaccines might cause autism because “there’s not been a direct study on each individual vaccine” misunderstands what’s known about autism, the extensive research on the subject and how science works.

Bush, Carter Didn’t Pardon Relatives, Contrary to Posts

Bush, Carter Didn’t Pardon Relatives, Contrary to Posts

President Joe Biden is one of only a few presidents who have granted pardons to a relative. But social media posts falsely claim that former Presidents Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush also pardoned family members. While Billy Carter and Neil Bush faced controversies, neither was criminally charged nor received a pardon.

What Biden Left Out of Pardon Statement

What Biden Left Out of Pardon Statement

On Dec. 1, President Joe Biden provided a blanket pardon for his son Hunter for any potential crimes committed over nearly an 11-year period. In the statement Biden provided to justify his reversal of position, he left out a few inconvenient facts.

No Evidence Musk Threatened to Ban X Users Celebrating Hunter Biden’s Pardon

No Evidence Musk Threatened to Ban X Users Celebrating Hunter Biden’s Pardon

Elon Musk trolled President Joe Biden on X after Hunter Biden’s pardon, sharing a community note mocking the president’s previous post that said, “No one is above the law.” Soon after, a Threads post falsely claimed Musk threatened “anyone glorifying” the pardon “will be suspended from X permanently.” There’s no evidence Musk made such a statement.

Trump Won the Popular Vote, Contrary to Claims Online

Trump Won the Popular Vote, Contrary to Claims Online

President-elect Donald Trump is the first Republican presidential candidate to win the popular vote in 20 years. Social media users have wrongly claimed that Trump lost the popular vote, but they are confusing the popular vote with a majority of votes. The unofficial results show Trump received slightly less than a majority, but more votes than any candidate.

Viral Claim Falsely Suggests Trump Ended Violence in Gaza

Viral Claim Falsely Suggests Trump Ended Violence in Gaza

Attacks by Israeli forces and Hamas continue to kill or displace people in the Gaza Strip. But social media posts misleadingly claim Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential election led Hamas to call for an end to the war in Gaza. Hamas has called for a ceasefire several times before the election. And the violence has continued since Election Day.

Post Misleadingly Questions Unfinished Ballot Counting in Some States

Post Misleadingly Questions Unfinished Ballot Counting in Some States

Some states were still counting ballots weeks after Election Day in accordance with their regulations, state officials and an election law expert said. But an Instagram post misleadingly implied that the ongoing vote counts were evidence of some unspecified election malfeasance.

Elon Musk Has Not Blocked Pride-Related Content from X, Contrary to Posts

Elon Musk Has Not Blocked Pride-Related Content from X, Contrary to Posts

X owner Elon Musk has rolled back policies intended to protect transgender people from harassment on his platform. But social media posts falsely claimed Pride-related content has now been “blocked on X permanently,” citing a purported “late-night announcement” by Musk. The claim originated on a satirical website.