MBFC's Daily Vetted Fact Checks for 08/16/2024

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: Former U.S. President Donald Trump flew to some August 2024 campaign events on a private jet formerly owned by the disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Snopes.com rating: True (Trump did use a jet once owned by Epstein to fly to campaign events on the weekend of Aug. 10, 2024. However, Trump does not own the plane, which was chartered by his campaign when his private Boeing 757 developed mechanical issues in Montana. A spokesperson said it was a routine charter and the campaign had been unaware of who previously owned the plane.) Trump Flew to Campaign Events on Private Jet Formerly Owned by Jeffrey Epstein?
BLATANT LIE	Claim by Megyn Kelly: Tim Walz signed a bill that lets the State take away ur kids if you d/n/ agree to sterilize them & chop off their body parts in the name of ‘gender affirming care. AFP Fact Check rating: False (It does none of that.) Tim Walz did not sign law allowing state to ‘take away’ transgender children Megyn Kelly Rating
FALSE	Claim by Supplement Salesman Matt Roeske: Wisdom teeth are meridian lines connected to the heart; removing them causes heart issues Health Feedback rating: Unsupported (Evidence shows that removing wisdom teeth can reduce the risk of tooth and gum infections. This can, albeit indirectly, reduce the spread of infection to other parts of the body, such as the heart.There is no scientific evidence confirming the claim that meridian lines are real. By this reasoning, there is no support for the claim that interfering with meridian lines by way of wisdom teeth removal leads to heart issues.) Removing wisdom teeth reduces risk of oral infections, doesn’t cause heart issues
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: Tim Walz enforced his 2020 Covid lockdowns by having police shoot civilians with paintball guns Lead Stories rating: False (The video showing law enforcement using what appear to be paintball guns was taken when state authorities imposed curfews and mobilized the National Guard in response to the aftermath of that year’s George Floyd protests. It had nothing to do with Covid.) Fact Check: Video Does NOT Show Tim Walz Enforcing ‘2020 COVID Lockdowns By Having Police Shoot Civilians With Paintball Guns’ — It Was Response To George Floyd Protests
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: Kamala Harris prosecuted two journalists for exposing that a US reproductive health organisation was selling aborted fetal body parts. Australian Associated Press rating: False (Investigations found no criminal wrongdoing on behalf of the organization, and she was not California’s attorney-general when two anti-abortion activists were charged.) Bogus Harris claim returns after several years – Australian Associated Press
FALSE	(International: Philippines): The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded a sudden phreatic eruption lasting less than a minute at Mayon Volcano around 6:29 p.m. on Tuesday, August 13. Rappler rating: False FACT CHECK: No sudden phreatic eruption at Mayon Volcano on August 13

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.