Each day Media Bias Fact Check selects and publishes fact checks from around the world. We only utilize fact-checkers that 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 Ron DeSantis (R): Wearing masks is “COVID theater” and “not doing anything.” Politifact rating: False (In high-risk areas, like where DeSantis was speaking, public health authorities strongly recommend wearing a mask. People who are immunocompromised can choose to wear masks at all times, depending on their particular circumstances. A recent study published by the CDC found that wearing face masks notably reduced the likelihood of testing positive for COVID.) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis mischaracterizes the efficacy of face masks |
| BLATANT LIE |
Claim via Social Media: In March 2022, U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar defended himself from criticism with a tweet in which he indicated he had been called “stupid” for his whole life.
Snopes.com rating: False (Fake) No, Paul Gosar Did Not Tweet ‘I’ve Been Called Stupid My Whole Life’ |
| FALSE | Claim by Ted Nugent: Hunter Biden’s payments from the Ukrainian oil and gas company Burisma Holdings ended with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. FactCheck.org rating: False (Hunter Biden left the Burisma board back in 2019 — almost three years before the war in Ukraine began.) Hunter Biden Left Ukrainian Company in 2019, Contrary to Ted Nugent Post |
| BLATANT LIE |
Claim via Social Media: The government is using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to collect DNA through COVID-19 test samples
Lead Stories rating: False (For The Virus) Fact Check: CDC Is NOT Collecting DNA Through COVID-19 Test Samples |
| FALSE | Claim by Joe Biden (D): The planned release of 60 million barrels of global oil reserves, including 30 million from the U.S., “will help blunt gas prices here at home.” FactCheck.org rating: False (Energy experts said the emergency measures aren’t enough to have an impact.) |
| BLATANT LIE |
(International: Russia): Claim by Sergei Lavrov: “Everyone understands that the Third World War can only be nuclear. But I draw your attention to the fact that nuclear war is constantly spinning in the heads of Western politicians, not in the heads of Russians.”
POLYGRAPH.info rating: False |
Disclaimer: We are providing links to fact checks by third-party fact-checkers. If you do not agree with a fact check, please directly contact the source of that fact check.
Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources
Although, I am no fan of Desantis. I think your criticism of his comments on masks are out of line. The CDC study, just isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on. It doesn’t say which masks work and which masks don’t. It’s more or less a comparrative study. It may also have conformation bias; which is problematic. A study in Bangladesh suggests that surgical mask may have some benefit while regular cloth masks are simply useless. EVen that study has it’s flaws since the compliance rate in that study was less than 50%. The truth is that there really are NO good studies that show masks work. None. There were a few conducted before the pandemic but they showed results that were inconclusive at best.
I am saying this because I care about science and I care what is actually scientific fact and scientific fiction. What you have just printed is science fiction. Not science fact. A science fiction that is being used to politicize this pandemic and which is killing people. Science should not be politicized. All that does is cause people to loose confidence science and public health; which is exactly what you have done.
MBFC at the hands of Mr. VanZandt is like an inbound SCUD missile; totally off target and horrifically misleading.
This really is a testament to the complete breakdown of truth.
Here is an example of how to properly address this claim:
Did Ron Desantis make this claim?
A simple yes or no is required. That’s all.
Is the claim valid?
Here is where Mr. VanZandt should insert some facts. But does he?
It would be against his position to allow facts into his “fact check.” This site is nothing more than another “fact check.” Predetermined ledtist excrement with the readers choice of condiments.
If you dispute this claim please reach out to Politifact. We do not do fact checks. We repulbish them here. Thanks.