MBFC's Daily Vetted Fact Checks for 10/16/2026

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

BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: Maricopa County Elections apologized to Donald Trump after uncovering proof that Arizona officials ordered tens of thousands of Trump ballots destroyed and illegally counted votes from noncitizens for Joe Biden in the 2020 election. Snopes rating: False (There is no credible evidence that Maricopa County issued such an apology or uncovered the alleged fraud. The rumor originated from a social media account that has previously spread false election claims, and prior audits, court proceedings and investigations found no fraud sufficient to change Arizona’s 2020 result.) Maricopa County didn’t apologize to Trump after uncovering fraud in 2020 election, despite claims
TRUE	Claim via Social Media: The 119th Congress is among the least productive Congresses of the past 40 years. Pew Research Center rating: True (As of Oct. 16, 2026, the 119th Congress had enacted 121 public laws, including 109 substantive laws. Both totals were the second lowest among the past 20 Congresses at the same point in their terms, ahead of only the 118th Congress.) So Far, the 119th Congress Is Among the Least Productive of the Past 40 Years
MISLEADING	Claim by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin: Repealing Biden-era power plant regulations will lower Americans’ electricity prices. FactCheck.org rating: Misleading (The repeal is projected to produce only modest long-term electricity-price reductions, while other Trump administration policies — including reduced clean-energy incentives and restrictions on renewable projects — are expected to increase electricity prices overall.) Trump Officials Mislead About Electrical Grid Reliability EPA Rating
BLATANT LIE	Claim by Katie Zacharia: She passed the bar examination and is qualified to practice law. Snopes rating: False (There is no evidence Zacharia passed a bar exam or was licensed to practice law in any U.S. jurisdiction. She told a reporter she passed the bar “when I moved to China,” but Chinese law did not allow a U.S. national in her position to qualify as a Chinese lawyer. A legal scholar told Snopes there was “no possibility” she passed China’s bar exam.) Did Katie Zacharia pass the bar exam? What we know about her legal credentials
FALSE	(International: Philippines): 46 lawmakers from the House of Representatives voted to impeach President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the height of Vice President Sara Duterte’s own impeachment trial. Rappler rating: False FACT CHECK: Congress did not vote on any new impeachment case vs Marcos

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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