MBFC's Daily Vetted Fact Checks for 02/20/2025

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

TRUE	Claim via Social Media: Since the invention of the nuclear weapon, the United States has misplaced at least three such weapons. Snopes rating: True (Only one (or possibly two) of the missing bombs was fully assembled at the time it was lost. The total number of confirmed missing weapons is somewhere between five and nine, depending on what qualifies as a “lost” or “misplaced” weapon.) A brief history of missing US nuclear weapons
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: Walmart decreasing its food prices back to pre inflation rates within one month of President Donald Trump inauguration Lead Stories rating: False (Walmart says this is not true.) Fact Check: Walmart NOT Decreasing Food Prices ‘Back To Pre-Inflation Rates’ Within Month Of Trump’s Inauguration
FALSE	Claim by Ashley Moody (R): The National Human Trafficking Hotline “in the last four years decided that they would no longer report tips to law enforcement, that they would take a more victim-centered approach.” Politifact rating: False (The National Human Trafficking Hotline, active since 2007, reports tips to law enforcement and seeks victims’ consent before doing so, except in cases of imminent harm, child sex abuse, or legal requirements. About one-third of victims are typically referred to authorities. PolitiFact found no evidence of a policy change in the last four years, and a spokesperson confirmed the hotline’s policies have remained consistent for over a decade, aligning with the federal victim-centered approach.) Fact-check: Florida Sen. Ashley Moody claims trafficking hotline isn’t reporting tips to authorities
FALSE	Claim Libs of TikTok: An ICE minivan was reportedly set on fire in Philadelphia. Lead Stories rating: False (The fire department determined the fire was accidental.) Fact Check: ICE Van Was NOT Intentionally Torched In Philadelphia — Fire Determined To Be Accidental Libs of Tiktok Rating
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: “DOGE subcommittee discovered $2.7 trillion in improper” Medicaid and Medicare payments to people overseas. Politifact rating: False (In March a report that estimated federal agencies had made $2.7 trillion worth of improper payments since fiscal year 2003. The payments were made by many federal programs, not only Medicare and Medicaid. GAO auditors said reasons for the improper payments could range from administrative issues to fraud. DOGE subcommittee didn’t ‘discover’ $2.7 trillion in improper federal payments
FALSE	(International: India): The video shows a Muslim man attacking a Hindu inside a flight. Logically Facts rating: False Video of in-flight assault shared with false communal narrative

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.