Category Disinformation

FBI director didn’t confirm Joe Biden bribery investigation

Claim: "FBI director Wray confirms Joe Biden is under criminal investigation for Ukrainian bribes by the U.S. attorney in Delaware then tries to backpedal."

Verdict: FBI director didn't confirm Joe Biden bribery investigation.
There is a continuing investigation in Delaware into Hunter Biden, the president's son. Wray did not say that Joe Biden is also being investigated. He said he would not say who is or isn't being investigated, or for what, as part of the FBI's long-standing policy.

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FACT CHECK: No, Orthodox Relics From Kyiv Will Not Be Auctioned In France On October 1 | Check Your Fact

A post shared on Facebook purports Orthodox relics from Kyiv, Ukraine are set to be auctioned at the Osenat Auction House in France on Oct. 1.

Verdict: False
An Oct. 1 auction listed on Osenat's website focuses on "The Interiors of Versailles," not Orthodox relics from Kyiv, as the post suggests. An Osenat spokesperson denied the claim's validity in an email to Reuters.

Read MoreFACT CHECK: No, Orthodox Relics From Kyiv Will Not Be Auctioned In France On October 1 | Check Your Fact

PolitiFact | ‘Zero response’ for Maui, Hawaii claim is false; government aid came hours after wildfire started

Claim: "There has been zero response from local, regional or federal officials" to aid people affected by the Maui, Hawaii, wildfires.

Verdict: 'Zero response' for Maui, Hawaii claim is false; government aid came hours after wildfire started

Read MorePolitiFact | ‘Zero response’ for Maui, Hawaii claim is false; government aid came hours after wildfire started

Fake: US General Called F-16 Fighters Useless for the Armed Forces

The US Air Force in Europe and Africa commander James Hecker did not call F-16 useless for Ukraine. The general noted that American fighter jets will provide additional capabilities to the Armed Forces on the battlefield, but will not be a panacea in the fight against the invaders.

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Fake: France Congratulates Ukraine on Independence Day With a Map without Crimea

The photo on the billboard is fake. Moreover, the picture used captures a traffic stop in Denmark's capital Copenhagen, and not in France. French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking at the Crimea platform on August 23, once again emphasized that France does not recognize Russia's annexation of Ukrainian territories.

Read MoreFake: France Congratulates Ukraine on Independence Day With a Map without Crimea

Fake: Kyiv Throws a ”Makhachkala on Fire” Party

The Kyiv club did not plan to hold a "Makhachkala on fire" party to celebrate the gas station explosion in the Russian city of Makhachkala. There is no such poster on the club's website and in its social media. The club representatives refuted the information spread on social networks.

Read MoreFake: Kyiv Throws a ”Makhachkala on Fire” Party

FACT CHECK: Post Claims To Show French Villa Bought By Ukraine Defense Minister | Check Your Fact

A video shared on X, the website formerly known as Twitter, claims to show a French villa that was bought by Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleskii Reznikov for his daughter.

Verdict: False
There is no evidence that Reznikov bought this house.

Read MoreFACT CHECK: Post Claims To Show French Villa Bought By Ukraine Defense Minister | Check Your Fact

FACT CHECK: Video Claims To Show Russian Soldier Exploding After Hitting Tank With Artillery Shell | Check Your Fact

A video shared on Twitter claims to show a Russian soldier exploding after hitting a tank with an artillery shell.

Verdict: Misleading
The explosion is edited in. There is no evidence the soldier died during this.

Read MoreFACT CHECK: Video Claims To Show Russian Soldier Exploding After Hitting Tank With Artillery Shell | Check Your Fact

No evidence that test of US nuclear missile was done to threaten Russia

Claim: Joe Biden launched unarmed nuclear bombs as a "Russia threat."
Verdict: No evidence that test of US nuclear missile was done to threaten Russia.

The Air Force described it as routine. News reports on the testing did not mention Russia.

Read MoreNo evidence that test of US nuclear missile was done to threaten Russia