MBFC's Daily Vetted Fact Checks for 01/17/2025

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

MOSTLY TRUE	Claim by Tony Evers (D): “After 30 years of Wisconsin’s checking account running a deficit, we’ve ended every fiscal year I’ve been governor with a positive balance. Today, we have a $4.5 billion positive balance, and a record-high balance in our state savings account.” Politifact rating: Mostly True (Wisconsin’s general fund had a positive balance each year under Gov. Tony Evers, after running a deficit between 1990 and 2020. Wisconsin’s “rainy day” fund has kept growing since 2020 and currently sits near a record $2 billion. Although Evers doesn’t directly take credit, many factors shape these balances, including decisions made by Republicans and overall economic conditions.) Does Wisconsin have record-high budget balances under Tony Evers? Tony Evers Rating
BLATANT LIE	Claim by Talk TV: British prime minister attended US inauguration in 1941, 1961, 1973 and 2001. Lead Stories rating: False (They have never attended.) Fact Check: UK Prime Ministers Have NOT Attended US Presidential Inaugurations 4 Times In Past 100 Years Talk TV Rating
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: Donald Trump posted an image promoting a unified Korea under North Korean rule. Logically Facts rating: False (He did not.) Trump Did Not Post an Image of a Unified Korea on Truth Social
TRUE	Claim via Social Media: Mexico and Canada sent firefighters to California amid L.A. fires. KGW rating: True (Mexico and Canada sent firefighters to California.) Did Mexico and Canada send firefighters to California?
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: Wildfires intentionally set to promote smart city programs. Lead Stories rating: False (While the cause of the wildfires had not been determined at the time of writing, the “smart city” effort to improve technology for municipalities does not include intentionally destroying them first.) Fact Check: January 2025 LA Wildfires NOT Part Of ‘Smart City’ Project
FALSE	(International: Australia): Australian charities are offering interest-free loans through Facebook pages. Australian Associated Press rating: False (The Facebook pages have no connection to the charities.) Careful where you click, as charities spoofed in Facebook scams

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.