MBFC's Daily Vetted Fact Checks for 10/21/2026

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 by JD Vance (R): “The biggest reason why gas prices are so high is because when Joe Biden was president, we had about 20% of American refining capacity that went offline.” PolitiFact rating: False (The 20% figure applies to California, not the United States as a whole. National refining capacity remained relatively stable, and energy experts cited the Iran war and resulting disruptions to crude oil supplies as the main reason gasoline prices were high in 2026.) JD Vance falsely blames Biden policy for high gas prices. Iran war is mainly to blame.
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: Epstein files email to Epstein ending in “Love ya” was written by Marco Rubio. Lead Stories rating: False (There is no evidence that Rubio wrote the email, whose “From” field and signature section are redacted. No authentic photos or official records link Rubio to the Epstein files or establish an association between him and Epstein.) Fact Check: Epstein Files Email Ending In ‘Love Ya’ Was NOT Written By Marco Rubio
MOSTLY FALSE	Claim by James Talarico (D): Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton voted “to protect puppy abusers.” PolitiFact rating: Mostly False (Paxton voted against a 2011 bill that increased bond requirements for people appealing court findings of animal abuse, but the legislation did not increase penalties for animal abuse itself or eliminate existing requirements that abusers pay for animals’ care. Opponents said their concerns centered on procedural fairness.) The facts behind Talarico’s ‘Scanduel’ ad saying Texas AG Ken Paxton sided with puppy abusers
FALSE	Claim by Mike Rogers (R): Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed “didn’t disavow” the Muslim Brotherhood. PolitiFact rating: False (When directly asked whether he would disavow the Muslim Brotherhood, El-Sayed responded, “Sure, yeah, absolutely.” He then criticized the implication that his Muslim faith suggested divided loyalties and separately reiterated that he had no ties to the organization.) Mike Rogers said Abdul El-Sayed didn’t disavow the Muslim Brotherhood. Video shows he did
FALSE	(International: Vietnam): During a trip to North Vietnam during the Vietnam War, actor Jane Fonda betrayed U.S. prisoners of war by giving messages they handed her to their North Vietnamese captors. Snopes rating: False Did Jane Fonda betray US POWs in Vietnam by turning over secret messages to captors?

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.

★ SUPPORT OUR MISSION