Item: MBFC’s Daily Vetted Fact Checks for 05/01/2026
Rating: Right
Author: Media Bias Fact Check

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

FALSE	Claim by Tim Scott (R): “Secret Service remains unpaid” during the partial government shutdown. PolitiFact rating: False (The Secret Service is part of the Department of Homeland Security, which is currently in a shutdown because lawmakers have not passed the agency’s regular funding bills. In a typical partial government shutdown, workers employed by an unfunded agency would not be paid until funding is restored. The current Department of Homeland Security shutdown is different because the Trump administration has shifted money from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to the department’s employees, including Secret Service employees.) Despite a partial government shutdown, Secret Service personnel are receiving paychecks
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: Videos show Donald Trump criticizing Sadiq Khan for “turning London into a stshow” and saying he “needs a Tomahawk [missile] up his a”. Full Fact rating: False (The audio in these clips is fake. Full Fact traced the footage to an old video of President Trump announcing ‘gold cards’ as a path to citizenship in the US, the audio of which has been altered. He makes no mention of Sadiq Khan in the original clip.) Video of Donald Trump altered to include fake audio of him criticising Sadiq Khan – Full Fact
MISLEADING	Claim via Social Media: While giving a speech to introduce a piece of legislation, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar said, “The last time the Alien Enemies Act was invoked it was used to detain and deport German, Japanese, Italian immigrants during World War Eleven.” Snopes rating: Misleading (The incident, which was recorded on video, occurred in January 2025, not April 2026, as social media influencers claimed. The viral clip most often shared was edited to omit the context that Omar corrected herself instantly and chuckled at her mistake.) Video shows Ilhan Omar misreading ‘World War II’ as ‘World War 11.’ Here’s the full story
TRUE	Claim via Social Media: The U.S. government announced new passports in April 2026 that will include a portrait of President Donald Trump. Snopes rating: True (The U.S. Department of State and the White House said it was a “limited edition” design to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the nation’s independence. They did not say whether the design was optional, nor did they clarify how many copies of the newly designed passport would be made.) What to know about new US passport design with Trump portrait
FALSE	(International: United Kingdom): Rupert Lowe was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2026. Full Fact rating: False (Mr. Lowe does not appear on this list.) Rupert Lowe doesn’t appear on Time magazine’s 2026 list of the 100 most influential people – 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.