MBFC's Daily Vetted Fact Checks for 02/19/2025

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

MISLEADING	Claim by Wide Awake Media: A staggering quantity of CO2 emissions are required to erect a single wind turbine. A significant proportion of retired turbine blades end up in landfill sites, unable to be recycled. Science Feedback rating: Misleading (Wind turbines require more emissions to build than fossil fuel plants, but almost all their emissions come from construction, unlike coal and gas plants that emit continuously. Researchers estimate turbine blade waste will be minimal, producing less in 30+ years than coal plants generate in a single year, highlighting their role in reducing reliance on fossil fuels.) Contrary to Wide Awake Media’s misleading claims, wind turbines are greener than fossil fuels by multiple measures Wide Awake Media Rating
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: George Floyd statue removed from National Mall. USA Today rating: False (Originated as satire) Claim George Floyd statue was moved started as satire \| Fact check
TRUE	Claim via Social Media: In February 2025, Republican U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney introduced a bill that would make President Donald Trump’s birthday a federal holiday. Snopes.com rating: True (The bill was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. It must pass a vote in this committee to move on to the next stage of the legislative process.) Yes, GOP congresswoman introduced bill to make Trump’s birthday a federal holiday
FALSE	Claim by Donald Trump (R): “We have office space, it’s occupied by 4%. Nobody’s showing up to work because they were told not to.” FactCheck.org rating: False (Trump’s claim is a gross exaggeration. An August 2024 OMB report found 54% of federal employees worked fully in person, while 61% of telework-eligible employees’ hours were spent in the office. Only 10% of the workforce was fully remote. Trump’s team cited a non-scientific, opt-in survey suggesting only 6% worked full-time in the office, but official data contradicts this, showing 79.4% of working hours (excluding fully remote workers were in-person.) Trump’s Exaggeration of Federal Work from Home Donald Trump Rating
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: Sen. Warren said citizens don’t have a right to see how taxes are spent. USA Today rating: False (There is no evidence Warren said the quote in the post. It doesn’t appear on her website or social media accounts, nor are there any credible news reports of her making such a statement.) Fabricated quote attributed to Sen. Elizabeth Warren \| Fact check
FALSE	(International: United Kingdom): Video shows Trump urging U.K. to ‘secure borders and make Britain great again.’ Logically Facts rating: Fake Fact-check: Video showing Trump addressing people of U.K. is fake

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.