The false claim that Planned Parenthood is closing clinics following the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade has gone viral across social media platforms. But it’s not true. Let’s look at the facts.
NewsLit takeaway
NewsLit takeaway: Bold claims that resonate strongly with one side of a polarizing issue exploit our natural tendency to embrace information that confirms our existing opinions and ideas. In this case, an evidence-free claim posted on Twitter — the same day as the controversial ruling — has been widely repeated across social media. This rumor underscores the potential consequences of making and amplifying unverified claims online. Even though the Twitter user who initially posted the claim later deleted it when he couldn’t confirm its accuracy, screenshots of the original tweet continue to circulate as “evidence” for the falsehood.
- “Fact check: No clinics have closed since Roe v. Wade overturned, Planned Parenthood says” (Dezimey Kum, USA Today).
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