Media Bias Fact Check (MBFC) publishes daily vetted fact checks from verified IFCN-approved sources. Each claim is independently reviewed for accuracy and context.
Claimant: Social Media
Claim: U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst confronted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a Senate hearing, demanded that he show a Combat Action Badge, revealed that he lied about combat experience, and referred him for a “stolen valor” investigation.
Rating: BLATANT LIE
Explanation: The alleged Senate hearing exchange was not real. The claim came from an AI-created video or image, not an authentic confrontation involving Joni Ernst and Pete Hegseth.
Date: 05/11/2026
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Last Updated on May 11, 2026 by Media Bias Fact Check