MBFC's Daily Vetted Fact Checks for 07/17/2026

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

MISLEADING	Claim by Donald Trump (R): “Religion is back in our country, bigger and stronger than it has been in many, many years” and “it’s going up.” FactCheck.org rating: Misleading (Multiple surveys show lower religious affiliation, importance, and attendance than in past decades, although some data show increased religious engagement among young men and a recent rise in Americans’ perception that religion is gaining influence.) No Clear Evidence Religion Is ‘Bigger and Stronger’ in U.S., Despite Trump Claim Donald Trump Rating
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: Authorities arrested Lena Hale, a transgender woman working as a corrections officer at a women’s prison in Lee County, Florida, for impregnating 13 female inmates. Snopes.com rating: False (Originated as Satire) Florida corrections officer Lena Hale wasn’t arrested for impregnating female inmates
TRUE	Claim via Social Media: Did Donald Trump post a photo from the Oval Office with a map of Canada, Greenland and Venezuela covered with the American flag? Lead Stories rating: True (Trump did post the image on his Truth Social account, but the image was doctored. It was originally taken in August 2025, and the map did not show Canada, Greenland and Venezuela covered in the U.S. flag. The original image was posted by official U.S. government social media accounts showing a map without the Stars and Stripes.) Fact Check: Donald Trump DID Post Photo Where He Shows European Leaders A Map With Canada, Greenland And Venezuela Covered In A U.S. Flag — Doctored Map
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: In July 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump said his funeral will draw a much bigger crowd than Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral. Snopes.com rating: False (Originated as Satire) Did Trump say his funeral crowd would be bigger than Iranian ayatollah’s? Don’t be fooled
FALSE	(International: Italy): A video shows Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni saying: “We won’t allow Sharia law to be implemented in Italy. I’m Giorgia Meloni. I’m Christian. I’m a daughter of Italy.” Full Fact rating: False (The video is fake. It’s a deepfake created with AI from a still image of Giorgia Meloni at a press conference in January, where no mention of Sharia law was made.) Video of Italian Prime Minister saying Sharia law won’t be allowed in Italy is AI-generated – 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.

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