MBFC's Daily Vetted Fact Checks for 11/30/2024 (Weekend Edition)

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 via Social Media: Smallpox was “never eradicated, it’s held in check by vaccines,” and RFK Jr. would eliminate coverage for the smallpox vaccine. Politifact rating: False (The World Health Organization in 1980 officially declared smallpox eradicated. The last natural case was in 1977. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for health and human services secretary, has said in recent interviews he would make vaccinations a personal choice.) Smallpox was officially eradicated in 1980. It doesn’t need to be held in check by vaccines
FALSE	Claim via Social Media: Rockefeller suppressed “natural healing modalities” to profit from petroleum-based medicine, had natural medicine practitioners arrested and jailed Science Feedback rating: Unsupported (No evidence is provided for the claim that Rockefeller orchestrated the discrediting of “natural healing modalities” or that he had natural medicine practitioners jailed. The claim that “natural” medicine has been suppressed in favor of “patentable” petroleum-based medicine is untrue. While petrochemicals are used to make many drugs, patentable medicines have also been developed based on natural materials like plants. Some examples are aspirin, paclitaxel, and artemisinin.) No evidence that John D. Rockefeller suppressed “natural healing” or had practitioners arrested and jailed
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: Lincoln Project posted a tweet threatening Donald Trump. The Dispatch rating: False (The tweet is fake.) A Post Threatening Donald Trump and Circulating on X Is Fake
FALSE	(International: Australia): The Economist cover foreshadows apocalyptic conflict between the US and Russia. Australian Associated Press rating: False (The supposed magazine cover is a fake.) Fake Economist ‘Apocalypse’ cover linked to pro-Kremlin propaganda

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.