MBFC's Daily Vetted Fact Checks for 08/02/2026 (Weekend Edition)

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 Rand Paul (R): On a Feb. 1, 2020, call, only two scientists concluded COVID-19 had a natural origin and “the rest felt that deliberate insertion was possible.” FactCheck.org rating: Misleading (Paul selectively quoted Fauci’s diary; thinking a lab scenario was possible enough to study did not mean scientists considered it likely, and Fauci later described the call as roughly split.) Paul Distorts Fauci’s Diary Entry About COVID-19 and Wet Market Rand Paul Rating
BLATANT LIE	Claim by Donald Trump (R): Joe Biden allowed 25 million people into the United States. AP rating: False (CBP recorded about 10.8 million arrests for illegal crossings from Mexico during Biden’s term, but arrests are not people and include repeat crossings, making Trump’s figure highly inflated.) FACT FOCUS: Trump blames Minnesota governor for cyberattacks against the state. Cites no evidence Donald Trump Rating
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said white New Yorkers must pay cash reparations to the descendants of Black slaves. Snopes rating: False (Mamdani said New York City should address its role in slavery and historical discrimination, but he did not endorse cash reparations and said he would wait for the city’s Commission on Racial Equity recommendations.) Did Mamdani say white New Yorkers must pay cash reparations for slavery?
FALSE	(International: Philippines): The government spends P70 million per day in holding Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. VERA Files rating: False NO official records show Sara Duterte’s impeach trial costs ‘P25M,’ ‘P70M’ a day

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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