Fact Checking

MBFC’s Daily Vetted Fact Checks for 07/02/2024

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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 via Social Media: The Gates Foundation “awarded $9.5 million to UW-Madison to make H5N1 bird flu transmissible to humans.” Politifact rating: False (In 2009, the Gates Foundation awarded a five-year $9.5 million research grant to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The university said the grant was set to fund efforts to identify virus mutations that could help identify influenza threats to humans.) No, the Gates Foundation didn’t fund research to make the ‘bird flu transmissible to humans’
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: Image shows all white people picnicking at Black church where Trump spoke. USA Today rating: False (The image was not taken at the Black church in Detroit where former President Donald Trump spoke in June. It was first posted in 2023 by an actress and shows several celebrities gathered for a meal at a lodge in Idaho.) Viral celebrity photo unrelated to Trump Detroit visit \| Fact check
FALSE	Claim by Joe Biden (D): President Joe Biden said during the June 27 presidential debate that zero troops died abroad during his presidency. Check Your Fact rating: False (13 U.S. service members died during the August 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal. Three soldiers died in a drone strike on a U.S. base in Jordan in January 2024.) FACT CHECK: Joe Biden Falsely Claims Zero Troops Died Abroad During His Presidency Joe Biden Rating
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: The federal government is offering free commercial driver’s license courses. USA Today rating: False (A Department of Transportation spokesperson said the claim is false. The agency has grant funding that supports state entities and other places that train and test drivers for a commercial license, but it doesn’t go directly to individuals.) False claim government offering free CDL course \| Fact check
TRUE	Claim by Tony Evers (D): Wisconsin had a “record-breaking year” for tourism in 2023. Politifact rating: True (It’s common for Wisconsin to set a tourism record every year, but the pandemic caused a dip from which the state has largely recovered.) Wisconsin tourism is having a big moment. But what goes into calculating economic impact? Tony Evers Rating
FALSE	(International: Australia): Claim by The People’s Voice: Australia has mandated food rations to prepare for a bird flu pandemic. Australian Associated Press rating: False (There are no government-mandated restrictions on poultry products.) Bird flu outbreak sparks baseless food rations claim People’s Voice Rating