MBFC's Daily Vetted Fact Checks for 05/03/2025 (Weekend Edition)

Media Bias Fact Check selects and publishes fact checks from around the world. We only utilize fact-checkers that 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

BLATANT LIE	Claim by Pam Bondi (R): In President Donald Trump’s first 100 days, fentanyl seizures saved “119 million” to “258 million” lives. Politifact rating: Pants on Fire (Experts say Pam Bondi’s claim overlooks key facts: fentanyl seizures reflect only what was intercepted, not what entered the U.S., and only a small portion of the population uses drugs that could lead to fentanyl overdose.) Trump-era fentanyl seizures have not saved up to 258 million lives, as Pam Bondi said. Here’s why.
MOSTLY FALSE	Claim via Social Media: Seattle’s marine cargo terminals were empty and international vessels had stopped calling into the port as of April 29, 2025, due to the U.S.’s newly imposed tariffs. Snopes rating: Mostly False (As of late April 2025, the volume of cargo entering the Port of Seattle was unpredictable and some vessels were calling into port with as much as 30% less cargo than anticipated, according to the Northwest Seaport Alliance. However, Seattle’s marine cargo terminals weren’t empty (ship traffic was normal, according to the NWSA), nor did international vessels stop calling into the Port of Seattle on April 29.) No, Port of Seattle isn’t ’empty’ due to Trump’s tariffs, though cargo volume is unpredictable
BLATANT LIE	Claim by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: The 1970 Wisconsin study tested all 900,000 children for autism, establishing a true baseline. FactCheck.org rating: False (Researchers only reviewed clinical records and used a narrow, outdated definition of autism.) RFK Jr. Misleads on Autism Prevalence, Causes
FALSE	(International: United Kingdom): Claim by Labour Party: Under Reform UK, a GP visit could cost £129, an MRI scan £457, an A&E visit £1,368, an appendix removal £10,958 and coronary bypass surgery £71,997. Full Fact rating: False (These are hypothetical figures produced by Labour—Reform UK has said it will keep the NHS free at the point of delivery. Labour has based some of these figures on median costs for equivalent treatments in the US.) Is Labour right to claim Reform UK would ‘scrap the NHS’? – Full Fact

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.