MBFC's Daily Vetted Fact Checks for 05/17/2025 (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 via Social Media: A video authentically showed Pope Leo XIV condemning U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration policies as “a blatant trampling on both the teachings of the church and the promises of the American dream” and “a hideous manifestation of white supremacist ideology.”. Snopes rating: Fake Pope Leo XIV didn’t say Trump’s immigration policies trampled on ‘teachings of the church’
MOSTLY FALSE	Claim by Marcia Morey (D): “Google caved in to Trump. They erased Black History Month from the calendar.” Politifact rating: Mostly False (Google removed Black History Month from its Google Calendar app. In a statement explaining its decision, the company made no mention of President Donald Trump or political winds. Though news of the change emerged in February, after Trump became president, Google said it made its decision in the middle of 2024.) Fact check: NC Democrat blames Trump for Google Calendar’s removal of Black History Month
BLATANT LIE	Claim by Steve Kirsch: Florida study shows Pfizer COVID vaccine killed 470,000 Americans. Lead Stories rating: False (A draft research paper found only that those who got the Pfizer vaccine had a higher rate of death from all causes than did those who received the Moderna vaccine but it did not make comparisons with the unvaccinated. The research paper did not conclude that Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine caused more deaths than it prevented and an expert said the 470,000 estimate amounted to “mathematical malpractice”.) Fact Check: Research Paper Did NOT Show Pfizer COVID Vaccine Increased Death Risk by 36%, Killed 470,000 in America Steve Kirsch Rating
FALSE	(International: Australia): Vote counts are not allowed to be published for three days after polls close in Australia. AAP rating: False (There is no law that delays the release of preliminary vote counts.) Claim votes can’t be published for 72 hours after election is false

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.