MBFC's Daily Vetted Fact Checks for 09/29/2026

Media Bias Fact Check selects and publishes fact checks from around the world. We only use fact-checkers who are either signatories to 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

TRUE	Claim via Social Media: Former President Barack Obama thanked reporters in his final news conference as president, telling them, “You’re not supposed to be sycophants. You’re supposed to be skeptics,” and, “You’re not supposed to be complimentary, but you’re supposed to cast a critical eye on folks who hold enormous power.” Snopes.com rating: True (Correct Attribution) Did Obama say press is supposed to be skeptical during final news conference?
FALSE	Claim by No Going Back PAC: Roy Cooper “let 16,000 untested rape kits sit on the shelf” while serving as North Carolina attorney general. FactCheck.org rating: False (The roughly 15,000 untested kits were held by more than 500 local law enforcement agencies and had never been submitted to the State Crime Laboratory overseen by Cooper. The statewide backlog was not known until a 2017 inventory after Cooper had become governor.) Republican Ad Attacks Cooper with Misleading Claim About Rape Kits
TRUE	Claim via Social Media: Thirty-five Pennsylvania Republicans voted against a bill that guaranteed daily recess for children in the state. Snopes.com rating: True (It was unclear whether the Republicans who voted against House Bill 1505 did so specifically because of the recess provision or for other reasons.) Did 35 Pennsylvania Republicans vote against bill that guaranteed daily recess for kids?
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: Story about Trump folding arms after China election meddling question is real Lead Stories rating: False (Satire) Fact Check: FAKE Story Claims Trump Folded Arms After Reporter Asked About China Election Meddling — It Is Satire
FALSE	(International: Australia): Australia’s Digital Duty of Care bill will ban anonymous social media accounts. AAP rating: False (The bill does not ban anonymous accounts.) No, government’s digital safety bill won’t ban anonymous accounts

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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