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The latest fact check stories, summarized by AI
Featured Fact Check Stories


Fact Check: Debunking the Giant Octopus Photo from Indonesia
A viral photograph claiming to show a giant octopus washed up on an Indonesian beach is fake and was generated by artificial intelligence. The image, which first appeared on an Instagram account known for AI-generated content, has no authentic source or news coverage.

More Top Stories
"NY Judge's Jury Instructions in Trump Trial Misrepresented Online"
The Associated Press•1 year ago
Greta Thunberg's Arrests in The Hague: Fact Check and Details
Yahoo News•1 year ago
More Fact Check Stories
"Fact-Checking King Charles III's Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis and Recovery Frustrations"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Yahoo! Voices

Rumors about King Charles III being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given two years to live have been rated as "Unproven" by fact-checkers. The claim originated from an article in In Touch Weekly, which cited anonymous sources, and has since spread on social media. Buckingham Palace had announced the monarch's cancer diagnosis in February 2024, but did not specify the type. Snopes has been unable to independently verify the specifics of the alleged diagnosis and timeline, and is awaiting responses from both In Touch Weekly and Buckingham Palace.
"Debunked: Travis Kelce's Alleged 'Trump Won' Shirt Photo Exposed"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Yahoo Entertainment

A viral image purportedly showing Travis Kelce wearing a "Trump Won" shirt has been debunked as a doctored photo. The original image, taken during a vacation with Taylor Swift in the Bahamas, featured Kelce in a blank white shirt. The account that posted the false image has a history of sharing doctored content, and Kelce has not publicly endorsed any presidential candidate.
"Unveiling Gigantopithecus: The Truth Behind the Largest Ape in History"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Yahoo! Voices

A photograph circulating online, claimed to show a man standing next to a Gigantopithecus or Bigfoot, is actually a picture of special effects artist William Munns with a model he created. The image has been miscaptioned and misrepresented across social media platforms. Munns has clarified that the model was a scientifically responsible reconstruction based on fossil evidence and was not intended to promote belief in Bigfoot. The claim that the photo shows a real Gigantopithecus or Bigfoot is rated as "Miscaptioned."
"Fact Check: Fox News' Claim on Trump Attorney Alina Habba's Law Firm's $1.7M Federal Tax Liens"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Yahoo News

A parody account on social media falsely claimed that Fox News reported that former President Donald Trump's defense attorney, Alina Habba, had a law firm with five federal tax liens totaling $1.7 million. The claim originated from a satirical post and was not based on any factual reporting. While Habba and her husband do have some tax liens, the amount is significantly lower than what was claimed. ABC News has reported that Habba's law firm has been paid $3.6 million from Trump's political action committees.
"Debunking the Myth: Is the Photo of 18-year-old Arnold Schwarzenegger and His Classmate Authentic?"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Yahoo Entertainment

A viral photo allegedly showing 18-year-old Arnold Schwarzenegger with a classmate of the same age has been circulating online for years. However, research suggests that the photo is unfounded and likely digitally manipulated. The identity of the person next to Schwarzenegger is unknown, and there is no evidence to support the claim that he was 18. Comparisons with authentic photos of Schwarzenegger at age 18 indicate that he appeared much older in the viral image. The origin and authenticity of the photo remain unclear, and there are several inconsistencies that cast doubt on its veracity.
Elon Musk's Controversial Tweet: Taylor Swift or Broken Leg at NFL Game?
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Yahoo Entertainment

A satirical article claiming that Elon Musk tweeted he would rather break his leg than see Taylor Swift during an NFL game is not based on real events. The article, published on SpaceXMania.com, included a "satire" label and disclaimer stating it was not real news. The website has a history of publishing satirical articles about Swift and NFL-related incidents. Readers should exercise caution and use their own judgment when interpreting such satirical content.
Mel Gibson's Controversial Israel Remarks Spark Fact Check
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Yahoo Entertainment

An image circulating online claims that actor Mel Gibson made a Facebook post stating, "Soon the end and they know it, that's why they want to destroy everything in the way," referring to Israel. However, the post is fake as Gibson has no public-facing social media accounts, and there is no credible reporting supporting the claim. While Gibson has expressed anti-Semitic views in the past, this specific post is debunked as false and fabricated.
"Hamas Paraglider Crash: Fact Check Reveals Shocking Video of Power Line Collision and Fiery Explosion"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Yahoo News
A video circulating on social media claiming to show a Hamas militant paragliding into an electric power line and bursting into flames is false. The video actually predates the Israel-Hamas conflict and has no connection to the Middle East. It was recorded in South Korea in June 2023 and shows a tourist paraglider getting caught on a high-voltage wire, resulting in a fatal accident. The video's misleading captions falsely attribute the incident to the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Trump's Controversial Stance on Electric Vehicles Sparks Debate
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The New York Times

Former President Donald Trump made misleading claims during a speech in Michigan, criticizing President Biden's policies on electric vehicles. While there is no federal electric vehicle mandate, the Biden administration has proposed environmental rules that would require companies to increase electric vehicle production. However, there is no evidence to support Trump's claim that this would lead to the "death of the U.S. auto industry." The impact of the transition to electric vehicles on jobs is uncertain, with varying estimates. While electric vehicles have a higher carbon footprint during production, studies show that they have a clear environmental benefit compared to internal combustion engine cars.
Fact Check: Debunking Misinformation Surrounding COVID-19 Vaccines and Deaths
Originally Published 2 years ago — by AOL

The Associated Press fact-checks several popular but false stories circulating on social media. The CDC did not say that vaccinated people are more at risk of a new COVID variant than the unvaccinated. President Joe Biden misspoke when he claimed to have convinced segregationist Sen. Strom Thurmond to vote for the Civil Rights Act. Claims linking a meat allergy caused by ticks to a Gates Foundation-funded program are baseless. Social media videos falsely suggest that only blue items survived the Maui wildfires, implying a directed energy weapon attack, but there is no evidence to support this claim.