FactCheck.org's Weekly Update

April 18, 2020

SciCheck

Trump Falsely Distorts New York Times COVID-19 Science Story Posted on Monday, April 13th, 2020

In a weekend tweet, President Donald Trump erroneously described a New York Times article, falsely stating that it said the coronavirus originated in Europe and suggesting that it had no named sources.

FactCheck.org On the Air

The White House Coronavirus Briefings Posted on Thursday, April 16th, 2020

FactCheck.org Managing Editor Lori Robertson spoke with WHYY radio in Philadelphia about fact-checking the White House's daily coronavirus task force briefings.

FactCheck Posts

Trump's Inaccurate COVID-19 Death Rate Comparison Posted on Friday, April 17th, 2020

Available data on confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths contradicts President Donald Trump's recent claim that "the United States has achieved a significant lower mortality rate than almost all other countries."

Trump's False Claims about Pelosi and Chinatown Posted on Thursday, April 16th, 2020

President Donald Trump is making false and exaggerated claims about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Feb. 24 trip to San Francisco's Chinatown.

FactChecking Trump's Attack on the WHO Posted on Wednesday, April 15th, 2020

In announcing that his administration would halt funding for the World Health Organization, President Donald Trump made a series of false, misleading and unsubstantiated claims about the WHO.

Constitutional Experts: Trump Lacks Power to 'Open Up the States' Posted on Tuesday, April 14th, 2020

Constitutional experts say President Donald Trump is wrong that he, not governors, has the power to "open up the states."

Democratic Ad Twists Trump's 'Hoax' Comment Posted on Tuesday, April 14th, 2020

The Democratic super PAC Priorities USA Action has been running an ad falsely suggesting President Donald Trump called the coronavirus outbreak a "hoax."

Trump Falsely Distorts New York Times COVID-19 Science Story Posted on Monday, April 13th, 2020

Debunking False Stories

Stimulus Checks Won't Reduce Future Tax Refunds Posted on Friday, April 17th, 2020

Social media posts falsely claim that federal payments from the COVID-19 stimulus package could reduce taxpayers' future refunds. The Internal Revenue Service says the payment "will not reduce your refund or increase the amount you owe when you file your 2020 tax return next year."

Alex Trebek Did Not Die — or Leave Millions to Trump Campaign Posted on Thursday, April 16th, 2020

A viral news article falsely reports that "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek died on April 14, leaving his estate to President Donald Trump's reelection campaign. Trebek, who has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, is alive — and there is no evidence he is "a fervent Trump supporter."

Reports Didn't Misrepresent One Man's Death as Two Posted on Wednesday, April 15th, 2020

A bogus meme on Facebook suggests that the news media has tried to pass off one man's death, attributed to complications from COVID-19, as two separate cases. But the headlines cited simply focused on different parts of his biography.

Conspiracy Theory Misinterprets Goals of Gates Foundation Posted on Tuesday, April 14th, 2020

A conspiracy theory falsely claims Bill Gates is plotting to use COVID-19 testing and a future vaccine to track people with microchips. The Gates Foundation has advocated for expanded testing and has funded vaccine research, but neither of those involves implanted microchips.

TV News Report Prompts Unfounded Attacks on Michigan Governor Posted on Monday, April 13th, 2020

A TV station's report on a Michigan fine for those violating the state's social distancing orders showed Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at a signing ceremony with an intimate crowd of people — prompting accusations of hypocrisy on social media. But the footage used was from January 2019.

Yes, Sanders Has Ended His Fight for Democratic Nomination Posted on Monday, April 13th, 2020

Social media posts falsely claim the news media is spreading "prop[a]ganda" and "twisting words" about Sen. Bernie Sanders' decision to suspend his presidential campaign. They claim he is "still in the race." While he remains on Democratic primary ballots, Sanders has said winning is "virtually impossible" and "the campaign ends."