#2024Election
#ConspiratorialThinking
#FalseContext
01.16.2025
#Disaster
#NaturalDisasters
#Ukraine
#Fires
#FalseEquivalence
#FEMA
#JoeBiden
#Disaster
#NaturalDisasters
#Ukraine
#Fires
#FalseEquivalence
#FEMA
#JoeBiden
01.16.2025
No, FEMA isn’t giving California wildfire victims only $770
Posts spreading on social media claim that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is only giving California wildfire victims a one-time, $770 payment. But that’s false and misrepresents how disaster help from the federal government works. Let’s look at the facts.
Determined by 3 factors
Learn more#Fires
Wildfire video falsely labels helpers as looters
A viral video is claiming to show looters stealing goods during the wildfires in California in January 2025, but that’s not the case. The people in the video were helping a homeowner evacuate. Let’s look at the facts.
#Fires
California fires spark falsehoods about water shortages
With fires raging across California in January 2025, destroying homes and forcing thousands to evacuate, rumors began circulating that firefighters were out of water because city officials refused to fill the reservoirs. But the claim isn’t true. Let’s look at the facts.
#AI
Image of Temu warehouse fire is AI-generated
An image from late 2024 appears to show a large fire at a warehouse for Temu, an online retailer in China known for low-priced goods, but the flames were generated with artificial intelligence tools. Let’s look at the facts.
#RFKJr
No, RFK Jr. didn’t call to ban Diet Coke
A rumor that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of Health and Human Services, plans to ban Diet Coke is getting millions of social media views and even was shared by Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich. But the claim is false and came from a parody account. Let’s look at the facts.
#FalseContext
Falsehoods fly following mysterious drone sightings
Sightings of mysterious and unidentified drones around New Jersey and in the eastern United States in November and December 2024 are fueling conspiracies and falsehoods that include miscaptioned photographs and videos created with computer-generated images. Let’s look at the facts.
Bringing trends into focus.
Be informed, not misled.
#WorldEconomicForum
No, world leaders didn’t sign ‘Age of Death’ treaty
A screenshot of what looks like a legitimate news article about an “age of death” law treaty signed by world leaders to require government approval to live past a certain age racked up millions of views on X, but the report is complete fiction. Let’s look at the facts.
#ConspiratorialThinking
False conspiracy links health care CEO death and Pelosi
A conspiratorial social media post suggests that UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed to prevent him from testifying against former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, but this claim is entirely fabricated. Let’s look at the facts.
#environment
No, Pete Buttigieg didn’t spend billions for just a few electric vehicle charging stations
A viral social media post from November claims Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg spent billions of dollars to build only eight electric vehicle charging stations, but the claim is false and mischaracterizes how the EV charging program works. Let’s look at the facts.
#Politics
Posts falsely announce rush of celebrity exits from the U.S. after Trump win
Social media posts are claiming that major celebrities are leaving the U.S. for good in response to President-elect Donald Trump’s win in the 2024 election, but the posts are satirical, and the entertainers mentioned didn’t make these announcements. Let’s look at the facts.
#DonaldTrump
Fake post of Trump insulting MSNBC morning show host goes viral
An image of a social media post appears to show President-elect Donald Trump comparing Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough to a “scolded dog” in a Truth Social message, but it’s a fabrication and Trump never said this. Let’s look at the facts.
6 things to know about AI
Six news literacy takeaways to keep in mind as AI tools evolve. Artificial intelligence technology is not new, but dramatic advances in generative AI have captured the world's attention.