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☆ Fact Check-National Geographic cover calling for the ‘extinction’ of white people is fabricated
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A National Geographic cover purportedly saying that white people are a threat to the human population and calling for their “extinction” has been fabricated. The December 2020 edition, available (here), has the headline: “Saving the Great Lakes.”Some social media users appear to think the fabricated cover is real and have called for “the end of National Geographic” (here). Others have referred to the purported cover as “excessively disturbing” (here). National Geographic did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The image does not show a real National Geographic cover.

Persons: “, ”, Read Organizations: Geographic, ” Reuters, National Geographic, Reuters

☆ Fact Check-No evidence North Korea will punish suicide attempts by death
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Online users shared a screenshot of an article with the following headline: “North Korea: Kim Jong Un Bans Suicide; Will Kill Anyone Who Attempts And Fails” (here), (here), (here). Several media outlets picked up the story and said North Korea had banned suicide (here), (here), (here). None of these articles say that suicide attempts will be punished by death. It is still unclear what, if any, punishment suicide attempts carry in North Korea. There is no evidence that North Korea will kill those who attempt suicide.

Persons: Kim Jong, Pragativadi, Kim, Kim Jong Un, Read Organizations: North, Radio Free Asia, Reuters, Radio Free Locations: North Korea, Korea

☆ Fact Check-Fabricated Ocasio-Cortez tweet on banning parody accounts stems from satire
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A tweet by a parody account impersonating U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez saying that Twitter must ban all parody accounts is being taken seriously by some users online. The tweet reads: “It's time for @elonmusk to ban all parody accounts on Twitter. Some users responded by suggesting Ocasio-Cortez is a “dictator” (tinyurl.com/ycx2hdnh), (tinyurl.com/ycx2hdnh) or accusing her of misusing tax dollars (tinyurl.com/4mc8vdxb). The authentic Twitter account for the congresswoman is @AOC (www.twitter.com/AOC). The tweet was posted by an Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez parody Twitter account.

Persons: Representative Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, bro, ”, Read Organizations: Representative, Twitter, Cortez, Reuters Locations: Alexandria

☆ Fact Check-Video of sniper on roof predates France riots in June and July 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A video of an individual with a gun on a roof was first shared in 2022, prior to the ongoing riots in June and July 2023 in France. A tweet said: “Muslim rioters are now stealing rifles from police vans and hideout on rooftops like snipers. The accompanying clip shows an unidentified individual on top of a building pointing a weapon at people below on the ground. A search for the video leads to a tweet shared in March 2022, more than a year prior to the ongoing riots in June and July 2023 (here). The clip had circulated in March 2022, indicating it is not related to the France riots of June and July 2023.

Persons: ’, Read Organizations: EU, Facebook, UN, Reuters Locations: France, Villiers, Marne

☆ Fact Check-Video of burning parking lot predates France riots
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A video of a fire burning vehicles in a parking lot is from April in Australia but is being shared online as if it were from the riots in France in late June and early July. Unrest and discontent due to the killing of a 17-year-old by police on June 27 led to riots across France. Examples of posts sharing a clip with the caption, “Rioters set fire to a parking lot filled with brand new vehicles” in Marseille, France can be seen (here) and (here). A search for the Pickles Bibra Lake branch on Google Maps leads to street view images of the storage yard that matches the clip shared on social media, viewable (tinyurl.com/yc8sbwd2). The video shows a fire at a car auction yard in Australia from April, not footage from the France riots in late June and early July.

Persons: Jacey Knowles, Pickles, Knowles, Read Organizations: Guardian, Google, Reuters Locations: Australia, France, Marseille, Perth, Bibra Lake, Australian

☆ Fact Check-Photo showing GameStop ‘Titan Deals’ promotion is fabricated
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Examples of users sharing the fake promotion, with a GameStop logo visible at the bottom, can be seen (here) and (here). Some users responding to posts commented on the reference to the Titan (here), which was reportedly operated with a Logitech F710 wireless game controller (here). GameStop does sell Subnautica, an underwater exploration video game series, according to the retailer’s website (here). Another version of the altered photo in some posts has the logo of MediaMarkt, not GameStop, at the bottom (here). The photo of an alleged GameStop promotion is fabricated.

Persons: MediaMarkt, Susanne Killian, “, ” Killian, ”, Killian, Den, Read Organizations: GameStop, Logitech, Titan, MediaMarktSaturn Retail, Reuters Locations: Netherlands, German, Roermond, tinyurl.com, Den Haag

☆ Fact Check-Claims about Dylan Mulvaney lawsuit against Kid Rock stem from satire site
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Claims that a lawsuit by transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney against singer Kid Rock was “dismissed with prejudice” originated on a satirical website, and there is no evidence that such a lawsuit exists, although some social media posts omit that context. Some posts online shared an article from satirical website The Dunning-Kruger Times with the headline, “Laughed Out of Court: Dylan Mulvaney’s $70 Million Lawsuit Against Kid Rock Dismissed With Prejudice” (tinyurl.com/3c78xdjs). Other posts, however, shared the claim as fact, without reference to the original article (here), (tinyurl.com/sp9xzmrn). No credible sources have reported that a lawsuit by Mulvaney against Kid Rock was dismissed, or that such a lawsuit exists (tinyurl.com/2b2rbxam). Claims about a lawsuit by Dylan Mulvaney against Kid Rock originated from a satirical website.

Persons: influencer Dylan Mulvaney, Kid Rock, “, ”, Dunning, Dylan Mulvaney’s, Rock, Bud Light, Mulvaney’s, tomfoolery ”, dunning, kruger, Bud, Dylan Mulvaney, Read Organizations: Kruger Times, Bud Light, Mulvaney, Defense, Reuters

☆ Fact Check-Fake Ocasio-Cortez tweet on debating JFK stems from parody account
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A tweet by a parody account impersonating U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, saying that she will debate President John F. Kennedy “anytime, anywhere,” is being taken seriously by some users online. The account that posted it, which uses the handle @AOCpressTwo and the username Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Press Release (parody), has a bio that reads: “I’m the boss - you mad bro? The authentic Twitter account for Ocasio-Cortez is @AOC (www.twitter.com/AOC). A spokesperson for Ocasio-Cortez said via email that @AOCpressTwo is not a campaign account or a congressional account. The tweet was posted by an Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez parody Twitter account.

Persons: Representative Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, John F, Kennedy “, bro, Kennedy, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Read Organizations: Representative, JFK, Cortez, Democratic, Reuters Locations: Cortez, Alexandria

☆ Fact Check-Elon Musk did not tweet that phrases like ‘Grimes left you’ are a slur
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A screenshot of a purported Twitter post by Elon Musk saying phrases such as “Grimes left you” are slurs and are banned from Twitter is in fact fabricated, although it has fooled some users. The words ‘Grimes left you’ or ‘Grimes is happier without you’ are considered slurs on this platform” (here). The screenshot includes a picture of Musk in the top left corner, as well as his real Twitter handle, @elonmusk (www.twitter.com/elonmusk). A search through Musk’s Twitter account, however, shows he has not published such a post (tinyurl.com/yacvf5w3). Musk told Page Six in September 2021 that he was “semi-separated” from his girlfriend, Canadian singer Grimes, after three years together (here).

Persons: Elon Musk, “ Grimes, ‘ Grimes, Mike Drucker, Drucker, Musk, Grimes, Read Organizations: Twitter, Reuters Locations: Canadian

☆ Fact Check-Claims that Garth Brooks cancelled bar opening began on satirical website
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Claims that country singer Garth Brooks cancelled the opening of his new bar in Nashville, Tennessee, originated as satire, though some social media posts are missing that context. Posts online (here) shared an article by satirical website The Dunning-Kruger Times with the headline, “Garth Brooks Cancels His Bar’s Grand Opening After Investors Bail Out: ‘The Brand is an Embarrasment Now’” (tinyurl.com/3akkms5t). While Brooks has faced criticism since then, there is no evidence that he cancelled the opening of his new bar (tinyurl.com/38ye9uyp). The Dunning-Kruger Times describes itself as a “subsidiary of the ‘America’s Last Line of Defense’ network of parody, satire, and tomfoolery” (dunning-kruger-times.com/29-2/). These include other claims published by The Dunning-Kruger Times involving the backlash against Bud Light (here), (here), (here), (here).

Persons: Garth Brooks, Dunning, “ Garth Brooks, “ Go, Karma, ”, Brooks, Bud, influencer Dylan Mulvaney, Brooks ’, tomfoolery ”, dunning, kruger, The Dunning, Bud Light, Read Organizations: Kruger Times, Billboard, Broadway, Defense, Reuters Locations: Nashville , Tennessee

☆ Fact Check-Fabricated Ocasio-Cortez tweet on Titanic submersible from parody account
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A tweet by a parody account impersonating U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, with the suggestion of pumping oxygen into the ocean to save passengers of a submersible vessel that went missing during a journey to the wreckage of the Titanic, is being taken seriously by users online. The account, which uses the handle @AOCpressTwo and the username Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Press Release (parody), has a bio that reads: “I'm the boss - you mad bro? The authentic Twitter account for Ocasio-Cortez is @AOC (www.twitter.com/AOC). Reuters reported that a five-person submersible vessel went missing on June 18 while taking tourists to view the wreckage of the Titanic. The tweet was posted by an Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez parody Twitter account.

Persons: Representative Alexandria Ocasio, bro, “ She’s, Cortez, Read Organizations: Representative, Cortez, Reuters Locations: Cortez, Alexandria

☆ Fact Check-No evidence Clinton said she’d take ‘half of DC’ with her if indicted
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

There is no evidence that former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she would “take half of D.C.” with her if she were to be indicted, contrary to an online claim resurfacing amid news of the indictment of former President Donald Trump. Clinton has never been indicted on any charge and there is no evidence of her ever having publicly made the statement in the meme, which has circulated since at least 2018. A Clinton spokesperson said in an email to The Daily Caller that she never made such a remark, according to a Check Your Fact article from 2020 (here). It started recirculating amid reports that former U.S. President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to federal criminal charges on June 13, 2023. There is no evidence Hillary Clinton made this statement.

Persons: Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, Clinton, I’m, I’ll, Mike Stone, Trump, Read Organizations: View College, Reuters, Clinton Locations: Dallas , Texas

☆ Fact Check-No evidence Italian PM Giorgia Meloni launched ‘Family Pride’ month
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

There is no evidence Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni replaced or countered LGBTQ Pride celebrations with Family Pride month, despite contrary claims spreading online. Reuters found no evidence that Meloni’s government either announced or launched a Family Pride month, nor a Family Pride month that counters or replaces LGBTQ Pride. One Facebook user who shared a photo of a rally on June 6 said it was taken from the launch of Family Pride month in May in Rome (here). He added to Reuters in an email: “A possible ‘Family Pride’ month is not a priority and is not something we currently have interest in.”VERDICTNo evidence. There is no proof Meloni’s government launched a Family Pride month.

Persons: Giorgia Meloni, Meloni, Mario Mieli, Mario, ” Mario Colamarino, Jacopo Coghe, “, Read Organizations: Facebook, Twitter, Reuters, Lazio, Pro Vita Locations: Italian, Italy, Rome, Lazio, Circolo

☆ Fact Check-Claims that George Soros praised Ron DeSantis are missing context
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Social media users (here), (here), (here) are sharing a post that misleadingly suggests Soros supports DeSantis as a presidential candidate: “Trump gets praise from Tucker Carlson. Why is that?”Responses to the posts include comments such as: “Is Soros funding DeSANTIS??? DeSantis ‘is likely to be the Republican candidate’ for president in 2024 - a prediction, not an endorsement,” Silber said in an email. Reuters found no record of Soros publicly praising DeSantis (tinyurl.com/mrne9esp), (tinyurl.com/ywhaab6t). There is no evidence that Soros publicly praised DeSantis.

Persons: George Soros, Ron DeSantis, Soros, DeSantis, “ Trump, Tucker Carlson, Trump, ”, Laura Silber, Mr, ‘, ’, ” Silber, Read Organizations: U.S, Republicans Trump, Democratic, Social, Soros, Conference, Republican, Big, Open Society, Gov, Reuters Locations: Florida

☆ Fact Check-Guardian columnist did not write hot weather in June was “further proof that the Climate Emergency is real”
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A fabricated screenshot of a fake The Guardian headline that suggests hot weather in June is evidence of a climate emergency is being shared online. Some people note that the image is satirical, but others are treating it as if legitimate. Monbiot has previously spoken to Reuters about another fake headline attributed to him (here). Reuters has addressed numerous examples of fake headlines attributed to The Guardian (here, here and here). Guardian columnist George Monbiot did not write an article about hot weather in June providing proof that the climate emergency is real.

Persons: George Monbiot, Monbiot, Read Organizations: Guardian, Facebook, Twitter, Reuters Locations: British

☆ Fact Check-Claims that Donald Trump won’t pay his lawyers originated as satire
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Claims that former U.S. President Donald Trump has refused to pay his lawyers until they convince the Department of Justice (DOJ) to drop a rumored indictment against him originated as satire, although some social media users were apparently duped into thinking they are real. @HalfwayPost regularly shares satirical content and has the following written on its bio: “Dada news. Reuters has previously debunked satirical claims taken seriously that stemmed from this account (here), (here), (here). These claims originated from a satirical account. This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team.

Persons: Donald Trump, ”, Trump, “, Read Organizations: of Justice, DOJ, ” Reuters, Reuters

☆ Fact Check-Claims DeSantis was angered by his family watching ‘Frozen’ stem from satire
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Claims online that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis became “furious” after his wife admitted their daughter watches Disney’s “Frozen” every day originated as satire, although some social media users were apparently duped into thinking they are real. Bryan Griffin, press secretary for DeSantis’ political team, told Reuters the claim is false. Reuters has previously debunked satirical claims taken seriously that stemmed from this account (here), (here), (here). There is no evidence that Casey DeSantis said their daughter watches “Frozen” every day (tinyurl.com/26ue8dst). This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, ”, Disney’s, Casey, Disney's, Bryan Griffin, DeSantis, “, Casey DeSantis, Read Organizations: Florida, Disney, Reuters, Facebook, Iowa Locations: Iowa, Florida

☆ Fact Check-Marjorie Taylor Greene did not include a ‘pornography ban’ in US debt ceiling bill
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene did not include a “nationwide pornography ban” in the debt ceiling bill, contrary to claims circulating online. Reuters found no evidence that Greene is currently taking steps to remove the Miller Test or establish a pornography ban. No major news outlets covering the debt ceiling negotiations (tinyurl.com/2kmmynxa) reported on this. On June 3, President Joe Biden signed a bill that suspends the government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling, averting what would have been its first-ever default (here). There is no evidence that Greene is planning to include a “nationwide pornography ban” in the debt ceiling bill.

Persons: Marjorie Taylor Greene, Nick Dyer, Greene, “ Miller, Donald Trump, “ Trump, Joe Biden, Read Organizations: Republican, Putnam County Ohio Republican Party, Reuters Locations: Putnam, Russian

☆ Fact Check-No evidence migration caused exaggerated 2013 Swedish rape statistics
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Exaggerated rape statistics for Sweden in 2013 that have been used to suggest that migrants have driven an increase in assaults are false. Although Swedish crime data show an increase in such offences between 1990 and 2011, there is no evidence migration was a cause, an expert said. One Facebook user (here) uploaded a screenshot of a Jan. 2013 webpage (archived: here) with the headline: “1 in 4 Swedish women will be raped as sexual assaults increase 500%”. In addition, Swedish crime data published in 2021 show no evidence of increased sexual assaults led by immigrants or the children of immigrant parents. There is no proof migration has led to an increase in the incidence of rape in Sweden, which has been exaggerated in social media posts online.

Persons: SWEDEN Lars Lewenhagen, Brottsförebyggande, ”, “, Lewenhagen, ” Lewenhagen, Read Organizations: Facebook, Twitter, EU’s European Institute for Gender Equality, Reuters Locations: Sweden, SWEDEN, Swedish

☆ Fact Check-Fox News has not fired Laura Ingraham
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-26 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Fox News has not fired host Laura Ingraham, a spokesperson for the network said, calling May 2023 posts on social media that made the claim “false.”Users have shared posts that read: “BREAKING: Laura Ingraham got FIRED from her nightly show on Fox.”Examples can be seen (here), (here), (here). Ingraham continues to host her show, with transcripts of broadcasts as recent as May 25 available on the Fox News website (here). The claims arose in the context of reports (here), (here) that major changes would take place at Fox News after host Tucker Carlson’s exit in April (here). Ingraham joined Fox News in 2007 and has hosted “The Ingraham Angle” since October 2017 (here). A Fox News spokesperson said in May 2023 that Ingraham continues to work at the network.

☆ Fact Check-Video of Bill Gates endorsing Ron DeSantis was digitally created
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-26 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A clip that seemingly shows Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates endorsing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for the presidency was digitally created but has been shared online as if authentic. In the video, Gates can partly be heard saying the following: “We simply have to push forward with the great reset, or everything will be lost. That’s why I support Ron DeSantis as our next president” (here), (here), (here). The video circulating online was seemingly created by Twitter users @C3PMeme and @Ramble_Rants, whose handles are included in the graphics at the bottom of the video. There is no evidence Gates has endorsed or expressed support for DeSantis as of this article’s publication (tinyurl.com/4rtaddcb).

☆ Fact Check-Captain lost law enforcement status after pepper-spray incident in Ohio jail
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Judith Sealey, a former captain at the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in Dayton, Ohio, was stripped of her law enforcement credentials in 2018 for having pepper-sprayed a restrained inmate in 2015. (and now Promoted Captain) Judith Sealey.’ When black cops engage in Black on White Violence, they get promoted. Claims circulating in May 2023 that she remains a captain or can still work in law enforcement are out of date and incorrect, however. Media reports said she got a 30-day suspended jail sentence and lost her credentials, meaning she is prohibited from ever working in law enforcement again. Judith Sealey lost her law enforcement certifications following a pepper-spraying incident.

☆ Fact Check-Video shows amusement park attraction, not UFO flying over Chile
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A video of an attraction at an Italian amusement park has been shared on social media as if showing a UFO flying over a town in Chile. The clip (here), (tinyurl.com/2p9tm9eu) was posted with the caption: “UFO appeared in a small town in Chile. Hundreds of people were present to witness.”While some users seemingly believed these claims, others pointed out that the images were taken at an Italian amusement park (tinyurl.com/yuvvyxaa), (tinyurl.com/2xa33ssk). The attraction seen in the clip is called Flying Island and is located in Gardaland Park, in Verona (here). The clip shows an amusement park attraction, not a UFO flying over Chile.

☆ Fact Check-Compounds in Apeel’s edible food coating deemed safe by FDA
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Edible food coatings from U.S. company Apeel Sciences are made of monoglycerides and diglycerides that are not “toxic” to humans, contrary to posts on social media. The company received funding from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, but is not owned by Bill Gates, as also claimed online. This is a Bill Gates founded company using toxic mono & diglycerides to make you SICK!” alongside a photo of an avocado with an Apeel label (here). Reuters has debunked posts conflating the edible food coating with a UK-manufactured cleaning product (here). The edible food coating known as Apeel is made of monoglycerides and diglycerides, compounds that are generally recognized as safe by the FDA and a nutritional expert in the quantities proposed by the company.

☆ Fact Check-Photograph shows July 2022 explosion in Russian ammunition depot, not recent airfield airstrike
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A picture of a large explosion has been miscaptioned online as if showing a recent Ukrainian strike on a Russian airfield. The image dates from July 2022 and shows an attack on a Russian ammunition depot in Kherson. Reuters found one recent report about a Ukrainian strike in Berdiansk, published on May 1 by Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform (here). The photograph dates from July 2022 and shows a strike on a Russian ammunition depot. This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team.

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