MBFC's Daily Vetted Fact Checks for 06/18/2025

Fact Check Search

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

MOSTLY TRUE	Claim by Gavin Newsom (D): California has lower homicide rates than Alabama, Arkansas and Oklahoma. PolitiFact rating: Mostly True (Data for 2022 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that California has a lower rate of homicide than Alabama, Arkansas and Oklahoma, and roughly in the proportions that Newsom said. For overall violent crime rate — which includes homicides, rapes, aggravated assaults, and robberies — California’s rate is higher than Oklahoma’s and Alabama’s.) Gavin Newsom claps back at Southern states with homicide rate comparison. Is he right? Gavin Newsom Rating
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: NY State judge demands AOC tax returns and financials. Lead Stories rating: False (Satire Origin) Fact Check: Fictional Story That NY Judge Demanded Rep. Ocasio-Cortez’s Tax Returns Originated On Self-Described Satire Page
TRUE	Claim via Social Media: Vance Boelter, accused of shooting two Democratic Minnesota state lawmakers and their spouses in June 2025 (one couple died), was once appointed to an advisory board by Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Snopes rating: True (Because Boelter was originally appointed to the board in 2016 by former Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton, Walz actually reappointed him in 2019 for a second term, which ended in January 2023. Boelter is reportedly not a Democrat himself, and Walz’s office confirmed that the governor does not meet with prospective appointees prior to appointing them.) Walz once appointed Minnesota shooting suspect to advisory board. Here’s context
BLATANT LIE	Claim by Sen. Mike Lee (R): The suspect in the Minnesota lawmakers’ shootings was driven by “Marxist” ideology. PolitiFact rating: Pants on Fire (Available evidence does not support Sen. Mike Lee’s assertion that Boelter was driven by “Marxist” ideology. People who knew Boelter told news outlets he was politically right-leaning.) Sen. Mike Lee’s evidence-free conspiracy theory that the MN shooter was a ‘Marxist’ is Pants on Fire
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: Singer Jelly Roll declared on social media in June 2025 he wouldn’t celebrate Pride Month. Snopes rating: False (He did not say that.) Did Jelly Roll declare he won’t celebrate Pride Month?
FALSE	(International: Iran): An image authentically shows an Israeli F-35 fighter jet shot down by Iran in June 2025. Snopes rating: Fake Image doesn’t show Israeli F-35 fighter jet shot down by Iran

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.