MBFC's Daily Vetted Fact Checks for 12/18/2024

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

FALSE	Claim via Social Media: Trump can unilaterally withdraw from NATO. KGW rating: False (Trump cannot legally withdraw the United States from NATO via executive order. Federal law requires congressional approval to leave the alliance.) Can Trump withdraw from NATO?
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: “The Pentagon has confirmed that the mysterious drones appearing across the globe are NOT of earthly origin.” PolitiFact rating: Pants on Fire (They did not say this. They said they are not from the military or foreign entities.) Social media claims about New Jersey drones are out of this world
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: US news outlet ABC reported that one million Ukrainian soldiers have died on the battlefield. Australian Associated Press rating: False (The claim is based on manipulated footage of an ABC News report, and official sources and independent estimates suggest far fewer casualties.) Doctored news report used to push Kremlin propaganda
FALSE	Claim via Social Media: Court ruled schools can ‘force-vaccinate’ students. USA Today rating: False (The Vermont Supreme Court ruling addressed whether a school was liable for accidentally vaccinating the wrong student, not whether schools can force-vaccinate students.) Court ruled on civil immunity, not ‘forced’ vaccinations \| Fact check
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: X owner Elon Musk disguised himself as a homeless person to “test a café.” Check Your Fact rating: False (Stems from Satire) FACT CHECK: No, Elon Musk Did Not Visit Café Disguised As A Homeless Man
FALSE	(International: India): Video shows Hindu women being kidnapped with the intention of killing them and selling their body parts. BOOM Fact Check rating: False Scripted Video Of Women Being Kidnapped Viral With False Communal Claim \| BOOM

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.