MBFC's Daily Vetted Fact Checks for 01/31/2026 (Weekend Edition)

Fact Check Search

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: “Most people arrested by ICE have a criminal conviction.” GigaFact rating: False (Multiple analyses of ICE data show that most people taken into ICE custody do not have criminal convictions; roughly 70% to 75% lacked any criminal conviction, and fewer than 10% had violent or property crime convictions.) Do most people arrested by ICE have a criminal conviction?
TRUE	Claim via Social Media: “MS NOW broadcast an AI-manipulated photo of Alex Pretti on its TV channel, website and YouTube channel.” Snopes rating: True (The network, formerly known as MSNBC, aired and published an AI-enhanced image of Alex Pretti across its TV broadcast, website, and YouTube channel. A spokesperson for parent company Versant Media Group said the image was sourced from the internet without knowledge it had been altered, and the network itself did not enhance the photo.) MS NOW shared AI-manipulated Alex Pretti photo on TV, website and YouTube. Here’s what we know
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: “An image authentically shows intensive care nurse Alex Pretti assisting two disabled veterans during a physical therapy session.” Snopes rating: Fake (The image was generated using artificial intelligence; it shows multiple visual inconsistencies, including an incorrect U.S. flag design, and contains a digital watermark detected by Google’s SynthID tool indicating AI generation or manipulation.) Posts claim this image shows Alex Pretti helping 2 disabled veterans. Here’s the truth
FALSE	(International: Bangladesh): Gandhi statue vandalised in Bangladesh. AFP Fact Check rating: False Damaged bust of Indian independence leader falsely linked to anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh

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.