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For the first time since 2009, PolitiFact is recalibrating the Lie of the Year — our award for the most egregious falsehood we've seen in a year's worth of fact-checking.
This year, we want to focus less on the offenders who perpetuate the falsehoods, and more on those who are hurt by them. 🧵
This year, we want to focus less on the offenders who perpetuate the falsehoods, and more on those who are hurt by them. 🧵
Some images and videos circulating after the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro — that claimed to show a New York protest and Venezuela celebrations — were AI-generated. Inconsistencies included inaccurate flags and illegible text.
AI-generated images and clips shared after Maduro’s capture
Some images and videos circulating after the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro — that claimed to show a New York protest and Venezuela celebrations — were AI-generated. Inconsistencies…
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January 6, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Some images and videos circulating after the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro — that claimed to show a New York protest and Venezuela celebrations — were AI-generated. Inconsistencies included inaccurate flags and illegible text.
Five years after the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol attack, politicians and influencers continue to spread falsehoods about the effort to overthrow the 2020 election. PolitiFact has written more than 100 fact-checks about Jan. 6. Find them here: buff.ly/dmlbpWU
PolitiFact | Jan. 6
PolitiFact is a fact-checking website that rates the accuracy of claims by elected officials and others on its Truth-O-Meter.
www.politifact.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:48 PM
Five years after the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol attack, politicians and influencers continue to spread falsehoods about the effort to overthrow the 2020 election. PolitiFact has written more than 100 fact-checks about Jan. 6. Find them here: buff.ly/dmlbpWU
Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife entered not guilty pleas Jan. 5 on drug and weapons related charges. Here’s what the indictment said and what comes next.
What to know about Nicolás Maduro’s indictment
Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife entered not guilty pleas Jan. 5 on drug and weapons related charges. Here’s what the indictment said and what comes next.
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January 6, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife entered not guilty pleas Jan. 5 on drug and weapons related charges. Here’s what the indictment said and what comes next.
Since the U.S. captured Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump has promised private U.S. investment in Venezuela’s oil infrastructure. Experts urge caution. buff.ly/RzDTn4K
Fact-checking Trump on U.S. oil investment in Venezuela
Since the U.S. captured Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump has promised private U.S. investment in Venezuela’s oil infrastructure. Experts urge caution.
politifact.com
January 5, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Since the U.S. captured Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump has promised private U.S. investment in Venezuela’s oil infrastructure. Experts urge caution. buff.ly/RzDTn4K
“I’m still here. Still listening. Still your friend,” ChatGPT told Adam Raine. The 16-year-old died weeks later. His parents sued OpenAI, saying the chatbot’s humanlike responses helped him plan his death. OpenAI denies responsibility.
Chatbots’ ‘friend’-like qualities draw scrutiny
“I’m still here. Still listening. Still your friend,” ChatGPT told Adam Raine. The 16-year-old died weeks later. His parents sued OpenAI, saying the chatbot’s humanlike responses helped him plan his…
buff.ly
January 5, 2026 at 9:57 PM
“I’m still here. Still listening. Still your friend,” ChatGPT told Adam Raine. The 16-year-old died weeks later. His parents sued OpenAI, saying the chatbot’s humanlike responses helped him plan his death. OpenAI denies responsibility.
Elon Musk revived claims that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz replaced his state's flag with the Somalia flag, but that's not true. The new flag, adopted in May 2024, was the result of months of work by a state commission, and its design was not created with Somalia in mind. buff.ly/LWZqPOb
Somalia’s flag didn’t inspire Minnesota’s state flag
A day before Vice President Kamala Harris chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her presidential running mate, a social media
www.politifact.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Elon Musk revived claims that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz replaced his state's flag with the Somalia flag, but that's not true. The new flag, adopted in May 2024, was the result of months of work by a state commission, and its design was not created with Somalia in mind. buff.ly/LWZqPOb
Are you a parent trying to navigate the ever-changing AI chatbot landscape? We asked experts on adolescent psychiatry and psychology for their tips about how to talk to children about AI chatbots. Here’s their advice.
How to talk to your kids about AI chatbots and their safety
Are you a parent trying to navigate the ever-changing AI chatbot landscape? We asked experts on adolescent psychiatry and psychology for their tips about how to talk to children about AI chatbots.…
buff.ly
January 5, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Are you a parent trying to navigate the ever-changing AI chatbot landscape? We asked experts on adolescent psychiatry and psychology for their tips about how to talk to children about AI chatbots. Here’s their advice.
Fabricated images made with artificial intelligence appear to show President Donald Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein with young women. These images were not released by Democratic House Oversight members, as some social media users claimed.
These images of Trump, Epstein with young women aren’t real
Fabricated images made with artificial intelligence appear to show President Donald Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein with young women. These images were not released by Democratic…
buff.ly
January 5, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Fabricated images made with artificial intelligence appear to show President Donald Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein with young women. These images were not released by Democratic House Oversight members, as some social media users claimed.
After the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump made false and misleading statements about previous US strikes on Venezuelan boats and Maduro sending the gang Tren de Aragua to to the U.S. Here are the facts.
Fact-checking Trump comments on Venezuela attacks, Maduro
After the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump made false and misleading statements about previous US strikes on Venezuelan boats and Maduro sending the gang Tren…
buff.ly
January 5, 2026 at 1:01 PM
After the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump made false and misleading statements about previous US strikes on Venezuelan boats and Maduro sending the gang Tren de Aragua to to the U.S. Here are the facts.
FDA officials said COVID-19 vaccines killed 10 children but provided no evidence. Here are 3 facts to know about kids, COVID-19, vaccines and myocarditis.
3 things to know about COVID-19, vaccines and kids
FDA officials said COVID-19 vaccines killed 10 children but provided no evidence. Here are 3 facts to know about kids, COVID-19, vaccines and myocarditis.
buff.ly
January 4, 2026 at 11:28 PM
FDA officials said COVID-19 vaccines killed 10 children but provided no evidence. Here are 3 facts to know about kids, COVID-19, vaccines and myocarditis.
After the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump made false and misleading statements about previous US strikes on Venezuelan boats and Maduro sending the gang Tren de Aragua to to the U.S. Here are the facts.
Fact-checking Trump comments on Venezuela attacks, Maduro
After the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump made false and misleading statements about previous US strikes on Venezuelan boats and Maduro sending the gang Tren…
buff.ly
January 4, 2026 at 3:14 PM
After the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump made false and misleading statements about previous US strikes on Venezuelan boats and Maduro sending the gang Tren de Aragua to to the U.S. Here are the facts.
Detaining people at ICE check-ins became part of the Trump administration’s strategy for mass deportations, in contrast with Trump’s comments that agents would pursue “the worst of the worst always first.”
‘Worst of the worst’? Data, personal accounts say otherwise
Detaining people at ICE check-ins became part of the Trump administration’s strategy for mass deportations, in contrast with Trump’s comments that agents would pursue “the worst of the worst always…
buff.ly
January 4, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Detaining people at ICE check-ins became part of the Trump administration’s strategy for mass deportations, in contrast with Trump’s comments that agents would pursue “the worst of the worst always first.”
Videos of a Catholic priest turning away ICE agents from his church aren’t real. AI-video detectors determine the footage was AI-generated. We also found the user that posted the clips sells courses on how to earn money with AI videos.
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January 3, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Videos of a Catholic priest turning away ICE agents from his church aren’t real. AI-video detectors determine the footage was AI-generated. We also found the user that posted the clips sells courses on how to earn money with AI videos.
buff.ly/m6tyamI
buff.ly/m6tyamI
After the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump made false and misleading statements about previous strikes on Venezuelan boats and Tren de Aragua. www.politifact.com/article/2026...
Fact-checking Trump comments on Venezuela attacks, Maduro
After the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump made false and misleading statements about previous US strikes on Venezuelan boats and Maduro sending the gang Tren…
www.politifact.com
January 3, 2026 at 11:20 PM
After the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump made false and misleading statements about previous strikes on Venezuelan boats and Tren de Aragua. www.politifact.com/article/2026...
The challenge for Dr. Mona Amin was real: How could she provide meaningful pediatric care while competing with large-scale medical misinformation, now coming from the White House itself?
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January 2, 2026 at 6:30 PM
The challenge for Dr. Mona Amin was real: How could she provide meaningful pediatric care while competing with large-scale medical misinformation, now coming from the White House itself?
buff.ly/oId0ZPv
buff.ly/oId0ZPv
Detaining people at ICE check-ins became part of the Trump administration’s strategy for mass deportations, in contrast with Trump’s comments that agents would pursue “the worst of the worst always first.”
Year of the Lies: ‘Worst of the worst’? ICE deports brothers after years of check-ins, good conduct
President Donald Trump said he would prioritize deporting the ‘worst of the worst.’ Government data and personal accounts tell a different story. As of November, 70% of immigrants in detention have…
buff.ly
January 2, 2026 at 5:56 PM
Detaining people at ICE check-ins became part of the Trump administration’s strategy for mass deportations, in contrast with Trump’s comments that agents would pursue “the worst of the worst always first.”
President Donald Trump says his tariffs are benefiting Americans. But the U.S. and China ended up in a trade war. And Americans, including farmers, paid the price.
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buff.ly/HYWjdq7
January 1, 2026 at 11:25 PM
President Donald Trump says his tariffs are benefiting Americans. But the U.S. and China ended up in a trade war. And Americans, including farmers, paid the price.
buff.ly/HYWjdq7
buff.ly/HYWjdq7
Are you a parent trying to navigate the ever-changing AI chatbot landscape? We asked experts on adolescent psychiatry and psychology for their tips about how to talk to children about AI chatbots. Here’s their advice.
How to talk to your kids about AI chatbots and their safety
Are you a parent trying to navigate the ever-changing AI chatbot landscape? We asked experts on adolescent psychiatry and psychology for their tips about how to talk to children about AI chatbots.…
buff.ly
January 1, 2026 at 10:52 PM
Are you a parent trying to navigate the ever-changing AI chatbot landscape? We asked experts on adolescent psychiatry and psychology for their tips about how to talk to children about AI chatbots. Here’s their advice.
El presidente Donald Trump dijo que priorizaría deportar a los "peores de los peores". Pero los datos oficiales y testimonios muestran una realidad diferente. En noviembre, el 70 % de los inmigrantes detenidos no tenían antecedentes penales.
Año de las Mentiras: ¿Deportan a ‘los peores de los peores’? Datos y testimonios dicen los contrario
El presidente Donald Trump dijo que priorizaría deportar a los "peores de los peores". Pero los datos oficiales y testimonios muestran una realidad diferente. En noviembre, el 70 % de los inmigrantes…
buff.ly
January 1, 2026 at 5:58 PM
El presidente Donald Trump dijo que priorizaría deportar a los "peores de los peores". Pero los datos oficiales y testimonios muestran una realidad diferente. En noviembre, el 70 % de los inmigrantes detenidos no tenían antecedentes penales.
“I’m still here. Still listening. Still your friend,” ChatGPT told Adam Raine. The 16-year-old died weeks later. His parents sued OpenAI, saying the chatbot’s humanlike responses helped him plan his death. OpenAI denies responsibility.
Chatbots’ ‘friend’-like qualities draw scrutiny
“I’m still here. Still listening. Still your friend,” ChatGPT told Adam Raine. The 16-year-old died weeks later. His parents sued OpenAI, saying the chatbot’s humanlike responses helped him plan his…
buff.ly
December 31, 2025 at 10:52 PM
“I’m still here. Still listening. Still your friend,” ChatGPT told Adam Raine. The 16-year-old died weeks later. His parents sued OpenAI, saying the chatbot’s humanlike responses helped him plan his death. OpenAI denies responsibility.
“It’s time to revisit the basics of why it’s important to call out lies. They’re more than just words. Lies harm livelihoods and families.” Read why PolitiFact named 2025 the Year of the Lies, from Editor-in-Chief Katie Sanders:
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December 31, 2025 at 5:45 PM
“It’s time to revisit the basics of why it’s important to call out lies. They’re more than just words. Lies harm livelihoods and families.” Read why PolitiFact named 2025 the Year of the Lies, from Editor-in-Chief Katie Sanders:
buff.ly/lCkqlZv
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From President Donald Trump's claim he "stopped six wars" to rumors someone fainted in the White House, here are PolitiFact's most read 10 fact-checks from 2025.
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Here are PolitiFact’s top 10 fact-checks of 2025
From President Donald Trump's claim he "stopped six wars" to rumors someone fainted in the White House, here are PolitiFact's most read 10 fact-checks from 2025.
www.politifact.com
December 29, 2025 at 2:22 PM
From President Donald Trump's claim he "stopped six wars" to rumors someone fainted in the White House, here are PolitiFact's most read 10 fact-checks from 2025.
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We asked our readers to rank their choices for the most significant falsehood or exaggeration that worked to undermine an accurate narrative this year. Here’s how they voted.
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December 28, 2025 at 11:27 PM
We asked our readers to rank their choices for the most significant falsehood or exaggeration that worked to undermine an accurate narrative this year. Here’s how they voted.
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We asked our readers to rank their choices for the most significant falsehood or exaggeration that worked to undermine an accurate narrative this year. Here’s how they voted.
2025 Lie of the Year: Readers’ Choice winner
We asked our readers to rank their choices for the most significant falsehood or exaggeration that worked to undermine an accurate narrative this year. Here’s how they voted.
buff.ly
December 27, 2025 at 11:26 PM
We asked our readers to rank their choices for the most significant falsehood or exaggeration that worked to undermine an accurate narrative this year. Here’s how they voted.
President Donald Trump says his tariffs are benefiting Americans. But the U.S. and China ended up in a trade war. And Americans, including farmers, paid the price.
Year of the Lies: Trump’s statements about tariffs
President Donald Trump says his tariffs are benefiting Americans. But the U.S. and China ended up in a trade war. And Americans, including farmers, paid the price.
buff.ly
December 26, 2025 at 11:25 PM
President Donald Trump says his tariffs are benefiting Americans. But the U.S. and China ended up in a trade war. And Americans, including farmers, paid the price.