MBFC's Daily Vetted Fact Checks for 04/16/2026

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

MOSTLY TRUE	Claim by Byron Donalds (R): The U.S. Navy was created “to free international waters from the Barbary pirates.” PolitiFact rating: Mostly True (One reason the U.S. Navy was created in the late 1700s and early 1800s was to counter north African states’ attacks on shipping, during conflicts that became known as the Barbary wars. That situation shares some similarities with today’s Iran war; both involved the U.S. taking military action to protect trade against efforts to exact tributes or tolls.) Was the U.S. Navy created to take on pirates?
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: RFK Jr. says covid vaccines causes “turbo cancer” and causes “gayness” and called Anthony Fauci a “goblin.” Lead Stories rating: False (Originated as satire) Fact Check: FAKE Video Shows RFK Jr. Saying Conspiracy Theorists Were Right, COVID Vaccine Causes ‘Gayness’, Anthony Fauci A ‘Goblin’ — It’s Satire
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: Bill Gates developed, endorsed or is selling products such as “Brain Honey,” “Mind Boost,” “Memopezil” or similar remedies that can supposedly cure or reverse Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and memory loss. Snopes rating: False (Fake Scam) Bill Gates isn’t backing ‘Brain Honey,’ other alleged Alzheimer’s remedies. They’re scams
BLATANT LIE	Claim by Donald Trump (R): His tax cuts are the biggest in U.S. history. PolitiFact rating: False (The 2025 tax cuts rank among the largest but are not the biggest in U.S. history.) Trump tax cuts: Sorting truth versus spin on tips, overtime, Social Security policy before Tax Day Donald Trump Rating
FALSE	(International: United Kingdom): The UK’s youth unemployment rate is the highest in Europe. Full Fact rating: Incorrect (The UK’s youth unemployment rate was higher than the EU’s average in Q3 2025, but some individual European countries had higher youth unemployment rates.) Express corrects claim about UK’s youth unemployment – 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.