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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Biden’s Dubious Civil Rights Arrest Anecdote

Biden’s Dubious Civil Rights Arrest Anecdote

In his interview with SiriusXM radio’s Howard Stern, President Joe Biden revived a dubious anecdote about having been arrested as a teenager while standing in solidarity on the porch of a Black family amid a desegregation protest.

Posts Misrepresent Raising of Palestinian Flags at Harvard

Posts Misrepresent Raising of Palestinian Flags at Harvard

Protesters against the war in Gaza raised three Palestinian flags on the Harvard University campus on April 27. Social media posts misleadingly claimed the university “replaced the American flag with the Palestinian flag.” The Palestinian flags were removed by Harvard staff shortly after they were raised by the protesters.

Posts Misrepresent Immigrants’ Eligibility for Social Security Numbers, Benefits

Posts Misrepresent Immigrants’ Eligibility for Social Security Numbers, Benefits

Immigrants who are lawfully living or authorized to work in the U.S. are eligible for a Social Security number and, in some cases, Social Security benefits. But viral posts make the false claim that “illegal immigrants” can receive Social Security numbers and retirement benefits, and they confuse two programs managed by the Social Security Administration.

Trump’s Partisan Spin on TikTok

Trump’s Partisan Spin on TikTok

Former President Donald Trump said he wants young voters to know that “Crooked Joe Biden is responsible for banning TikTok.” But a TikTok ban enjoys broad bipartisan support in Congress. Trump himself tried to ban TikTok as president through an executive order, but it was blocked by the courts.

Q&A on Reducing COVID-19 Risk for Elderly, Immunocompromised

Q&A on Reducing COVID-19 Risk for Elderly, Immunocompromised

While the risks associated with COVID-19 generally have decreased over time due to prior exposure to the vaccines and the virus, some people remain at elevated risk, such as the elderly and immunocompromised. The updated COVID-19 vaccines and, in some cases, a new monoclonal antibody can provide increased protection for this group.

FactChecking Biden’s Swing-State Stops in Pennsylvania

FactChecking Biden’s Swing-State Stops in Pennsylvania

While former President Donald Trump spent much of his week in court, President Joe Biden visited the swing state of Pennsylvania for three days and gave speeches in Scranton, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. We flagged some false and misleading claims, including several common talking points.

Posts Misrepresent Views of Eclipse With Composite Images

Posts Misrepresent Views of Eclipse With Composite Images

During the April 8 eclipse, people in the path of totality were able to see solar phenomena, including the sun’s corona. But social media posts have shared altered or composite images of these phenomena, claiming one image was “captured by NASA.” It was actually an artist’s rendering of a composite photo of the 2017 eclipse.

Trump’s Unfounded ‘Colossal’ Tax Hike Warning

Trump’s Unfounded ‘Colossal’ Tax Hike Warning

On the day of the tax filing deadline, former President Donald Trump went on Truth Social to misleadingly warn that if President Joe Biden is reelected, “you will soon be facing colossal tax HIKES.” But in his latest budget proposal, Biden supports extending the tax cuts championed by Trump for people making less than $400,000.

Judge Hasn’t Ruled on Trump’s Graduation Request

Judge Hasn’t Ruled on Trump’s Graduation Request

On the first day of his criminal fraud trial in New York, former President Donald Trump requested that the judge not hold court proceedings on May 17 — the day of his youngest son’s high school graduation. The judge did not rule on the request, saying he preferred to wait to see how the trial unfolds.