Fact Checking

MBFC’s Daily Vetted Fact Checks for 10/31/2024

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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

TRUE	Claim via Social Media: “Dixie,” known as the Confederate anthem, was played at former U.S. President Donald Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden in October 2024. Snopes rating: True (Real estate investor Steve Witkoff walked out to an Elvis Presley recording of “An American Trilogy” — a compilation of three folk songs that begins with “Dixie.” Only the Dixie portion of the recording played during both his entrance and exit.) Was ‘Confederate Anthem’ Played at Trump’s Madison Square Garden Rally?
MISLEADING	Claim by Kamala Harris (D): Trump would “ban abortion nationwide, restrict access to birth control and put IVF treatments at risk and force states to monitor women’s pregnancies. Just Google Project 2025 and read the plans for yourself.” PolitiFact rating: Misleading (What Trump may do after being elected is speculation. Trump has consistently said abortion legislation should be left to the states. He has said that he would not sign a national abortion ban. As president, however, Trump endorsed a 20-week national abortion ban. Early in his 2024 presidential campaign, he floated support for 15- or 16-week federal abortion bans.) Fact-checking Kamala Harris’ ‘closing argument’ speech at the White House Ellipse Kamala Harris Rating
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: More than 1,000 people died from Helene in North Carolina. USA Today rating: False (North Carolina officials say there were fewer than 100 confirmed deaths from Hurricane Helene as of Oct. 28, and no hospital is filled with hundreds of unidentified bodies.) Helene death toll in North Carolina officially under 100 \| Fact check
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: A photo shows large crowds lining up for the Donald Trump rally in Madison Square Garden in New York on 27 October. Full Fact rating: False (The photo was actually taken during Barack Obama’s visit to Dublin, Ireland in 2011.) Old Dublin image doesn’t show queue for New York Trump rally – Full Fact
BLATANT LIE	Claim by Donald Trump (R): Trump says he’s killed China car factory plan for Mexico. Newsweek rating: False (The company that Trump appeared to refer to, BYD, had been planning to build a large plant in Mexico. In September, unnamed sources told reporters it would not make any major announcements until after the U.S. election. A BYD executive later said that it had not postponed any decision. There is no evidence it has “abandoned” the plan.) Fact Check: Trump Says He Has Stopped China Car Factory Plan in Mexico Donald Trump Rating
FALSE	(International: Australia): The virus that causes COVID-19 has never been isolated and therefore does not exist. Australian Associated Press rating: False (The virus has been isolated and claims it hasn’t rely on a criteria under which no virus would exist.) Claim COVID virus has never been isolated is ‘entirely false’