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Ten COVID-19 vaccine claims scrutinized during Trump's second term
2 days ago•Source: Snopes
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Was Garnet Harper Denied a Kidney Transplant Over COVID Vaccination? What We Know
Online posts allege Garnet Harper was denied a referral for a kidney transplant because he hadn’t received the COVID-19 vaccine, but Snopes cannot verify this claim and has left it unrated pending medical records and confirmation from the family and LHSC. Harper died in May 2023 from kidney disease; LHSC’s transplant FAQ historically required vaccination (with possible exemptions) and updated its guidance in 2023, but primary evidence is still being sought.
25.725 min•1 month ago
No Verified Swift–Kelce Wedding Photos Surface, Likely AI-Generated
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Trump Greenland swap rumor under investigation, no solid evidence yet
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Debunked: Altered Photo Puts Tanks near NBA Finals With Trump
A widely circulated image claiming tanks were outside the NBA Finals arena during a Trump appearance is not authentic; the photo has been manipulated, and there is no evidence tanks were present at the event. Fact-checkers label it as misinformation.
Trump Accounts for Kids: The Truth Behind the 'Free Money' Ad
A 2025 law seeds $1,000 to launch Trump Accounts for babies born 2025–2028, with accounts opening around July 4 and sign-up via IRS Form 4547. Parents can contribute up to $5,000 per year (employers up to $2,500), and a philanthropic gift program (e.g., Michael Dell’s pledge) adds funds. Older children can have accounts but won’t receive seed money. Growth depends on stock-market performance, inflation, and additional deposits, so the seed money alone is unlikely to cover college costs or a down payment. The ad’s “free money” claim oversimplifies many eligibility rules and future uncertainties.
Amsterdam Unrest: Soccer Match Sparks Violence and Misinformation
A video showing violence during a soccer match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv was misrepresented by several media outlets, falsely claiming it depicted pro-Palestinian supporters attacking Israeli fans. In reality, the footage shows Israeli fans attacking locals and pro-Palestinian supporters. The misrepresentation led to international outrage, prompting corrections from media outlets like Tagesschau and DW. The video is under investigation by Amsterdam police, who have not yet identified the perpetrators.
Fact Check: Debunking the Giant Octopus Photo from Indonesia
A viral photograph claiming to show a giant octopus washed up on an Indonesian beach is fake and was generated by artificial intelligence. The image, which first appeared on an Instagram account known for AI-generated content, has no authentic source or news coverage.
Houthi Rebels Claim Attack on US Carrier Amid Red Sea Tensions
Claims that the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower was damaged by Houthi missile strikes are false. Photos circulating online purportedly showing the damage are either of a Russian aircraft carrier or doctored images of the Eisenhower docked in Norfolk, Virginia. The Pentagon confirmed there have been no strikes on the Eisenhower.
"NY Judge's Jury Instructions in Trump Trial Misrepresented Online"
Social media posts falsely claim that New York Judge Juan M. Merchan told the jury in Trump's hush money trial that they don't need a unanimous verdict to convict. In reality, Merchan instructed that all 12 jurors must unanimously agree on each of the 34 felony counts that Trump falsified business records with the intent to conceal a crime. However, jurors do not need to be unanimous on which specific unlawful means were used.
Greta Thunberg's Arrests in The Hague: Fact Check and Details
A viral photo claiming to show Greta Thunberg being arrested at a protest was found to be manipulated, with the original image being digitally altered to inflate the size of her breasts. The genuine video footage of Thunberg's arrest shows her being dragged by police from a protest in The Hague, where she and other activists were demonstrating against fossil-fuel subsidies. Multiple news outlets reported on the incident, and the claim about the viral photo was rated as "Fake."
"Fact-Checking King Charles III's Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis and Recovery Frustrations"
Rumors about King Charles III being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given two years to live have been rated as "Unproven" by fact-checkers. The claim originated from an article in In Touch Weekly, which cited anonymous sources, and has since spread on social media. Buckingham Palace had announced the monarch's cancer diagnosis in February 2024, but did not specify the type. Snopes has been unable to independently verify the specifics of the alleged diagnosis and timeline, and is awaiting responses from both In Touch Weekly and Buckingham Palace.
"Debunked: Travis Kelce's Alleged 'Trump Won' Shirt Photo Exposed"
A viral image purportedly showing Travis Kelce wearing a "Trump Won" shirt has been debunked as a doctored photo. The original image, taken during a vacation with Taylor Swift in the Bahamas, featured Kelce in a blank white shirt. The account that posted the false image has a history of sharing doctored content, and Kelce has not publicly endorsed any presidential candidate.
"Unveiling Gigantopithecus: The Truth Behind the Largest Ape in History"
A photograph circulating online, claimed to show a man standing next to a Gigantopithecus or Bigfoot, is actually a picture of special effects artist William Munns with a model he created. The image has been miscaptioned and misrepresented across social media platforms. Munns has clarified that the model was a scientifically responsible reconstruction based on fossil evidence and was not intended to promote belief in Bigfoot. The claim that the photo shows a real Gigantopithecus or Bigfoot is rated as "Miscaptioned."