VERIFY research analyst
@kelly_metz
was able to find the original photo of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's face used in this deepfake. A video and photos in this article show how those images differ:
No, former President Barack Obama didn’t keep classified documents, as former President Donald Trump claimed. The National Archives said it maintains those records, as required by federal law.
Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy implied on Fox News that the Speaker of the House held back the National Guard on January 6. She had no role in the matter.
A photo of some flamingos in a bathroom is real. But, a video of an elephant seal scooting along the sidewalk is old. Here is our latest fact-check from Ian:
A video on social media claims a Republican voter was turned away at a polling place during the midterm elections. The video was actually taken in March.
@arianedatil
provides context.
You’ve likely seen a number of Ukrainian people across social media asking for donations since Russia invaded the country last week. We put together some tips to help you separate legitimate accounts from fake ones.
Posts on social media point out an alleged change to the CDC’s definition of vaccine. Some claim this update was because the COVID-19 vaccines are ineffective. While that is incorrect, the CDC did change its definition of vaccine. Here’s why:
Dozens of VERIFY readers have asked us if it's true that millions of barrels of oil from U.S. reserves have been sent overseas. That’s true. Here’s how the process works:
Dread switching the clock twice a year? You’re not alone. The Senate recently passed legislation to make daylight saving time permanent in the U.S., but it still has to pass the House before the president could sign it into law:
The claim that Amber Heard quoted lines from “The Talented Mr. Ripley” in her testimony against Johnny Depp is false. Here's how we analyzed transcripts to VERIFY what was really said:
To clarify questions about why these cattle died and others in hot climates do not: These cattle hadn't shed their winter coats, and this rare weather event in Kansas where temperatures spiked in a short amount of time led to the cattle deaths.
Viewer Tiffany asked if she can reuse her KN95 and N95 masks. We can VERIFY that yes, you can reuse KN95 and N95 masks several times if it stays unsoiled. Here's how to keep your mask clean:
If you already have student loans, they will be eligible for President Biden's latest student loan forgiveness plan, but there are stipulations. Here's who qualifies:
In 1994, Ukraine, Russia, the U.S. and the U.K. signed a treaty that assured Ukraine would be safe from attack as long as it gave up its massive stockpile of nukes. We list the commitments in the treaty and explain how Russia has violated the agreement:
No, drinking water isn't testing positive for COVID-19 in rapid home tests. Dr. Steve Threkled said people shouldn't be surprised to see positive results when the tests are being used incorrectly. Our sister station
@ABC24Memphis
explains:
Larry the Cat is Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, a position he’s held in the British prime minister’s residence since 2011. And it’s true, he’s outlasted the last four heads of the U.K. government:
HIPAA does not apply to your vaccine card in anyone else's hands, including your own. HIPAA only applies when your medical information is in the hands of a "covered entity," which we define here:
The Senate approved legislation to make daylight saving time permanent by 2023, but it still needs House approval before President Biden can sign it into law:
Have you heard about Larry the Cat? He’s the Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, a position he’s held in the British prime minister’s residence since 2011. And it’s true, he’s outlasted the last three heads of the U.K. government.
The rumors are true: Choco Taco has been discontinued by Klondike, just like viral posts claim. Here's the inside scoop on why the manufacturer decided to halt production of the ice cream favorite:
A video with more than 9 million views on Twitter doesn’t show a Fox News host giving a doomsday warning about Hurricane Ian. It was recorded during Hurricane Matthew in 2016:
Yes, the student loan payment pause has been extended through the end of the year. Read more of our fact sheet on the latest plan to forgive student loans here:
As Hurricane Ian brings catastrophic winds and flooding to Florida, many are wondering how best to protect their homes from the storm. We can VERIFY that closing interior doors can protect your home during a high-wind event. Here's how:
Well-fitting disposable surgical masks, KN95 and N95 masks offer more protection than cloth masks. Here's your guide to reusing your masks and when to toss them out:
In a recent tweet, Kirstie Alley claimed because of today’s sex education teachings, “more girls than ever are getting pregnant and abortion rates are out the roof.”
As a matter of fact, abortion rates are the lowest they’ve been since abortion was legalized in 1973.
International Transgender Day of Visibility has been celebrated annually on March 31 worldwide for the past 15 years. It was coincidental that Easter fell on the same day this year:
The coronavirus and the flu virus did not merge into a new strain called “flurona.” You can be infected with both simultaneously, but experts say this is a dual infection rather than a new strain:
No, omicron can’t “target” vaccinated people. Anyone can be exposed to the virus regardless of vaccination status, and being vaccinated can only strengthen immune response.
In a passionate speech Tuesday, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr claimed that senators are refusing to vote on HR.8, which requires stricter background check rules to buy a gun. It's true: the bill stalled in the Senate and has never received a vote:
President Joe Biden said he’s directing the Department of Defense to work on a plan to require the COVID-19 vaccine for service members. Yes, the military has been mandated to receive an inoculation before.
Social media claims have stated Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh lied during their confirmation hearings for saying they wouldn't overturn Roe v. Wade. That's not true - here's what they actually said:
If you’re looking to boycott Russian vodkas, Stoli and Smirnoff products aren’t made in that country. The
@wusa9
VERIFY team looked into where these Russian-themed vodka brands are actually produced:
Three separate sources that track law enforcement officers killed on the job have reported fewer officers killed on duty by gunfire than kids killed in school shootings in 2022 thus far.
Americans can now request free COVID-19 tests online. There is a limit of one order per residential address which includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests. Orders will ship for free starting in late January. Request yours here:
It's true. There are federal limits on the amount of cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine a person can buy, while there are no federal limits for the number of guns or ammunition a person can buy:
An investigation in Arizona found no evidence any ballots from the 2020 election were discarded because they were filled out with Sharpies.
@CaseyDeckerTV
explains why many elections offices actually recommend using the marker over pens:
Do you want daylight saving time to be permanent? While the Senate approved legislation to make it permanent by 2023, it still needs House approval before President Biden can sign it into law:
A federal grant aimed at decreasing harm for drug users prompted claims that the Biden administration was funding crack pipes. This is false. Here’s what the grant actually covers.
No, the Norwegian women's beach volleyball team was not fined for wearing shorts during a match at a European competition. It was the women's beach handball team.
Have you seen a meme that claims Amber Heard used lines from "The Talented Mr. Ripley" during her first day of testimony against Johnny Depp? We can VERIFY that’s false.
There are a lot of disturbing images and videos coming out of the Russia attack on Ukraine, but not all are from the current invasion. Are you seeing videos and photos you want us to fact-check? Reply here or email questions
@verifythis
.com
On July 16, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is updating its number to 988. You will be able to call, text or start an online chat through 988:
“You're more likely to summon Beetlejuice on Halloween by saying his name several times than finding marijuana edibles in your kid's bag from trick-or-treating,” NORML’s Erik Altieri told VERIFY.
It’s true: Delta Airlines would become the first major U.S. airline to pay flight attendants during boarding, beginning in June.
Other airlines don’t pay for time spent boarding or disembarking, even when a flight is delayed:
If you worked 40 hours on federal minimum wage, you would make $1,256 before taxes. Typical rent is now $1,827. Here are the states that have minimum wages high enough to technically cover the typical rent:
Every April, the month's full moon is known as the pink moon. No, the moon doesn't look pink. The name comes from a flower that blooms in April called creeping phlox. Here's when to spot the next pink moon:
An Israeli study did find that natural immunity is more protective than the Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19. But natural immunity plus a vaccine was even more protective, and getting COVID to obtain natural immunity could lead to death.
1/ You’ve probably heard about the AZ election audit. So we’re explaining.
Joe Biden defeated former President Donald Trump by over 45,000 votes in Maricopa County, Arizona in the 2020 election. The county is the state’s largest and typically has a Republican stronghold.
On July 5, CERN restarted its particle accelerator machine. We can VERIFY this won't open a portal to another dimension or create a black hole, as some theories claim. Here's what it will do:
No, Facebook isn’t banning posts with the Lord’s Prayer. Copy-and-paste messages circulating the claim have been marked as factually incorrect by the social media site.
Social media rumors have persistently claimed some schools offer litter boxes for “furries" or students who identify as cats. Here's how we VERIFIED that to be false:
Have you seen social media posts claiming that vaccinated people are now more likely to die from COVID-19 than unvaccinated people? That’s false. Here’s where that misinformation comes from:
"The vaccine does not contain live virus and so there is no mechanism to affect the testicles in any way different to other vaccines (e.g. the flu vaccine)," says andrology professor Dr. Allan Pacey.
Yes, you still have to wear a mask on planes, trains and other forms of public transit in the United States until at least April 18. Here's what the federal mandate means for you:
Yes, the COVID-19 vaccine can lead to a false-positive mammogram. Swollen lymph nodes are a natural reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine. Experts say people should still get vaccinated and not delay overdue mammogram appointments.
Is it cheaper to fill a gas-powered vehicle than charge an electric one, even with these high gas prices? VERIFY crunched the numbers and found driving an electric vehicle is about 1/3 as expensive on average. Here's why:
An infected person with an active monkeypox rash could spread the virus via clothes, towels or other linens. Here's what experts recommend for cleaning and disinfecting items that might be contaminated:
“There is no truth to the rumor that the COVID-19 vaccines cause or accelerate Alzheimer’s or other dementias," Dr. Jennifer Dillaha told VERIFY. "People living with Alzheimer’s are at increased risk for severe disease if they were to get COVID-19.”
The House passed the Affordable Insulin Now Act which would limit the price of insulin to $35/mo, if it becomes law. But the bill would only reduce co-pays for some insured people, not all Americans:
Do you go to McDonald's for a pup cup? While ice cream for dogs isn't the best treat, a viral post claiming McDonald's ice cream contains a dangerous chemical for dogs is false:
VERIFY was able to prove a video of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying he's surrendering is a deepfake. Here we compare two true photos vs the screenshots from the deepfake:
#verifythis
No, Congress isn’t giving themselves a 21% pay increase with the new 2022 omnibus spending bill. A freeze on Congress members’ pay has been in place since 2009:
If you have ever had to renew a passport, you know how time-consuming and involved the application can be. Here's how some people can now renew online:
Sha'Carri Richardson isn't going to the Olympics after testing positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. Is she being punished harsher than Michael Phelps, who was also penalized for marijuana use more than a decade ago?
Researchers with The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research are working to develop a “super-vaccine” that would protect against COVID-19 and its variants, as well as other coronaviruses, with just one shot. It won’t be available to the public anytime soon:
Every Halloween, online posts circulate warning about contaminated candy. The latest rumor warns parents about rainbow fentanyl. Here's why experts say tainted candy is uncommon: