MBFC's Daily Vetted Fact Checks for 03/18/2026

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

TRUE	Claim via Social Media: Images from March 2026 authentically depict U.S.-made missile fragments at Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school in Minab, Iran, where a strike reportedly killed at least 165 young girls, on Feb. 28, 2026. Snopes rating: True (They are real) Images show fragments of U.S.-made missile at bombed Iranian girls’ school. We broke down the evidence
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: Video shows aftermath of US-Israeli airstrike on autistic and Down syndrome workers at Cafe Downtism in Tehran Lead Stories rating: False (Predates War) Fact Check: Video Does NOT Show Airstrike On Tehran’s Downtism Cafe Staffed By Autistic, Down Syndrome Workers
MISLEADING	Claim by Donald Trump (R): “We have slashed our monthly trade deficit by an astonishing 77%.” AP News rating: Misleading (The claim cherry-picks a peak deficit month; overall, the 2025 year-to-date trade deficit was higher than in 2024 due to an early-year import surge. Fact check: Trump’s claims about tariffs and the economy Donald Trump Rating
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: “ICE agents are financially rewarded or paid bonuses for each person they arrest.” FactCheck.org rating: False (There is no evidence that ICE agents receive per-arrest payments or bonuses. The Department of Homeland Security has said no such policy exists, and immigration policy experts are unaware of any arrest-based pay system. While ICE has arrest goals and agents may face performance pressure, no financial reward per arrest has been substantiated.) Do ICE officers get bonuses for arrests?
FALSE	(International: Australia): A photo shows Senator Mehreen Faruqi wearing a necklace featuring a symbol used by Islamic terrorist groups. AAP rating: False (The image has been digitally altered.) Digitally altered image targets senator in fake terror group smear

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.