MBFC's Daily Vetted Fact Checks for 01/23/2025

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

FALSE	Claim by Donald Trump (R): “The federal government can no longer deliver basic services in times of emergency.” FactCheck.org rating: False (FEMA provided significant aid for Hurricane Helene and California wildfires, including billions in assistance and relief efforts.) Fact-check: Is the federal government failing to provide emergency services? Donald Trump Rating
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: Mark Cuban Moved Company From Texas To California. Lead Stories rating: False (Has Not Moved) Fact Check: NO Evidence Mark Cuban Moved Company From Texas To California
FALSE	Claim by Donald Trump (R): “38,000 American lives were lost building the Panama Canal, and China now operates the canal.” FactCheck.org rating: False (Fewer than 1,000 Americans died during construction. Most deaths were of West Indian and Spanish laborers. Panama, not China, operates the canal; however, a Hong Kong-based company manages nearby ports.) Fact-check: Did 38,000 Americans die building the Panama Canal, and does China control it?
FALSE	Claim via Social Media: Country music star Carrie Underwood lost more than 1.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify after an announcement revealed she would perform at U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s January 2025 inauguration. Snopes rating: False (Only 75,000 and is typical for January as holiday streams decrease.) Carrie Underwood Didn’t Lose 1.5M Spotify Listeners After Trump Inauguration Announcement
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: Social media posts claiming to show individuals performing an Islamic “call for prayers” (Adhan) during the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires. Logically Facts rating: False (This is an old unrelated video.) Old, unrelated video shared as Muslims praying during LA fires
FALSE	(International: Ukraine): Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been captured by Russian forces Logically Facts rating: False No, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not been captured by Russian forces

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.