Item: MBFC’s Daily Vetted Fact Checks for 05/23/2026 (Weekend Edition)
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

BLATANT LIE	Claim by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: The Trump administration approved a record 91 new generic drugs in 2025. FactCheck.org rating: False (FDA data shows there were 107 first-time generic approvals in 2022, so the 2025 total was not a record.) RFK Jr.’s Muddled Claims on Drug Approval Speed
TRUE	Claim via Social Media: The Trump administration lifted a ban on M-44 “cyanide bombs” used to kill animals on public lands. Snopes.com rating: True (While the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Bureau of Land Management had not approved new uses of M-44 devices on public lands as of this writing, an April 2026 agreement between the agencies effectively lifts a Biden-era ban on the devices. This opens the door for future use on BLM-managed lands.) Trump administration lifted ban on ‘cyanide bomb’ used to kill animals on public lands
FALSE	Claim by Ben Midgley (R): Maine welfare recipients get an average of $40,000 in yearly benefits. Gigafact rating: False (Maine may spend about $40,000 per person in poverty on welfare-related programs, but that includes Medicaid payments to providers, administration, and other services. A recipient receiving average MaineCare, SNAP, and TANF benefits would get about $23,500 annually.) Do Maine welfare recipients get an average of $40,000 in yearly benefits?
FALSE	(International: Australia): Photos show violent Islamist riots in Sydney. AAP rating: False (The photos are from unrelated demonstrations overseas.) Foreign pages stoke division with fake Islamist riot posts

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.