MBFC's Daily Vetted Fact Checks for 08/09/2026 (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 Byron Donalds (R): Florida Senate Bill 484 “ensures that utility rates will not go up due to data centers.” PolitiFact rating: Misleading (The law requires large data centers served by investor-owned utilities to bear their “full cost of service,” but it does not guarantee rates will not rise, does not cap bills, and does not apply to municipal utilities or rural cooperatives.) Donalds says FL law will prevent electric bill hikes from data centers. That’s not guaranteed.
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: In August 2026, 300 military officers and generals resigned from the U.S. Department of Defense. Snopes rating: False (Did not happen) 300 generals and officers didn’t resign from Defense Department, despite claims
BLATANT LIE	Claim by Mike Rogers (R): Abdul El-Sayed “believes America deserved 9/11.” PolitiFact rating: Pants on Fire (Rogers based the claim on a 2019 comment by Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, not El-Sayed; El-Sayed campaigned with Piker but said he does not believe 9/11 was justified.) In Michigan Senate race, Mike Rogers falsely ties Abdul El-Sayed to Twitch streamer’s 9/11 comments
FALSE	(International: Japan): The 7.1-magnitude quake that struck Japan was caused by HAARP. AFP Fact Check rating: False (Just a conspiracy theory) Deadly Japanese quake revives conspiracy theory about HAARP-induced tremors

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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