MBFC's Daily Vetted Fact Checks for 03/27/2025

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 via Social Media: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth “removed Colin Powell’s name from a list of notable Americans buried at Arlington National Cemetery.” PolitiFact rating: False (As of March 27, a short bio of Gen. Colin Powell appeared on Arlington National Cemetery’s “Notable Graves” list, among people categorized as “Prominent Military Figures.”) Gen. Colin Powell appeared on Arlington National Cemetery’s notable graves list as of March 25
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: A federal judge named Howard Gates had a series of courtroom battles with various Trump administration officials in 2025. Lead Stories rating: False (Did not happen) Fact Check: Videos Describe FAKE Courtroom Fight Between Fictional ‘Judge Howard Gates’ and Pam Bondi
TRUE	Did he say it?: Podcaster and UFC commentator Joe Rogan said, “I don’t go to Canada anymore,” then added, “I’d rather go to Russia.” Snopes rating: Correct Attribution Joe Rogan said he’d rather visit Russia than Canada. He also said ‘Canadian people are awesome’
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: A new study shows mRNA vaccines are giving people AIDS. AAP rating: False (The study found slight immune differences, and it didn’t link them to vaccines.) Researcher refutes false claim that study shows COVID shots cause AIDS
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: Donald Trump replaced Abraham Lincoln’s portrait in the Oval Office with that of Jewish leader Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Logically Facts rating: False (Fake edited image.) No, Trump has not replaced Lincoln’s portrait in the Oval Office
FALSE	(International: Philippines): Former president Rodrigo Duterte has returned home to Davao City following his arrest and transfer to the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands. Rappler rating: False FACT CHECK: Duterte not back in Davao, still detained at the ICC

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.