Fact Checking

MBFC’s Daily Vetted Fact Checks for 10/09/2024 (FEMA-Helene Edition)

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Media Bias Fact Check selects and publishes fact checks from around the world. We only utilize fact-checkers who are either a signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) or have been verified as credible by MBFC. Further, we review each fact check for accuracy before publishing. We fact-check the fact-checkers and let you know their bias. When appropriate, we explain the rating and/or offer our own rating if we disagree with the fact-checker. (D. Van Zandt)

Claim Codes: Red = Fact Check on a Right Claim, Blue = Fact Check on a Left Claim, Black = Not Political/Conspiracy/Pseudoscience/Other

Fact Checker bias rating Codes: Red = Right-Leaning, Green = Least Biased, Blue = Left-Leaning, Black = Unrated by MBFC

FALSE	Claim by Eric Hovde (R): “FEMA is out of money and doesn’t have money to transfer to those people affected by the hurricane … they used the money to assist illegal immigrants.” Politifact rating: False (FEMA money is not being diverted to illegal immigrants, and individual assistance is being distributed from a dedicated fund.) Eric Hovde circulates false Hurricane Helene claims debunked by FEMA
FALSE	Claim via Social Media: FEMA aircraft blocked a runway at the Greenville Downtown Airport in South Carolina on October 5, 2024, preventing civilian disaster aid from reaching Hurricane Helene victims. Lead Stories rating: False (While an airport representative said a FEMA contractor did stage their operations on a secondary, “infrequently used” runway there, civilian assistance flights continued on the main runway. “FEMA has never stopped operations” at the facility.) Fact Check: FEMA Contractor Used Secondary Runway But Did NOT Prevent Civilian Disaster Aid At Greenville, South Carolina, Airport For Helene Victims
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: FEMA is blocking or confiscating donations to Helene victims in western NC. WCNC rating: False (A baseless conspiracy theory.) Are donations for Helene victims in NC being confiscated by FEMA?
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: Eight immigrants who resided in the U.S. illegally slashed the tires of 51 semitrucks carrying relief supplies for victims of Hurricane Helene. Snopes.com rating: False (Officials in both North Carolina and Tennessee, speaking on behalf of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, North Carolina Emergency Response and North Carolina Department of Transportation, have thus far said they know of no reports that might lend credibility to the posts promoting these claims.) Did 8 ‘Illegal’ Immigrants Slash Tires on 51 Semitrucks Carrying Hurricane Relief Supplies?
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: The Biden-Harris administration and FEMA is directed to assist “white people last” to promote equity, allegedly supported by content on FEMA’s website. NFN rating: Fiction (The claim is baseless and misrepresents FEMA’s strategic goals on equity. FEMA provides aid without discrimination.) Fact vs. Fiction: Does FEMA Have a Policy to Help “White People Last” in 2024?
FALSE	(International: Australia): Vaccines including chickenpox, MMR and hepatitis contain aborted fetal cells and DNA. Australian Associated Press rating: False (Vaccines are developed using human cell lines but no fetal tissue ends up in the vaccines.) Vaccines do not contain aborted fetal cells – Australian Associated Press