copenlu/druid huggingface dataset:
Claim: purports Elon Musk published a 'Rest In Peace (RIP)' tweet for late financier Jeffrey Epstein (Post, 2023-05-17)
Evidence (2023-05-23): FACT CHECK: Did Elon Musk Publish An ‘RIP’ Tweet For Jeffrey Epstein? A post shared on Twitter purports Elon Musk published a "Rest In Peace (RIP)" tweet for late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. [...] "The woke left can’t decide if I’m anti-semitic or friends with a Jewish man (RIP) and it’s driving them crazy," the purported tweet from Musk reads. "Did he just RIP Jeffrey Epstein???" The Twitter post’s caption reads. The post has received over 600,000 views at the time of publication.
Claim: purports Elon Musk published a 'Rest In Peace (RIP)' tweet for late financier Jeffrey Epstein (Post, 2023-05-17)
Evidence (2022-12-22): A post shared on Facebook purports Twitter CEO Elon Musk published a tweet describing banning reporters he doesn’t like on his platform as a "pretty innocuous alternative" to murder. [...] The Facebook post purports Musk published a tweet about banning reporters on his platform. "You know, in some parts of the world, journalists get murdered for crossing the wrong people. Banning the reporters I don’t like from my own platform feels like a pretty innocuous alternative to me," the purported tweet reads. The claim is false. There are no credible news reports suggesting Musk published such a tweet. Likewise, an advanced Twitter search reveals no such tweet appears on Musk’s verified account. In addition, there is no mention of the purported claim on Twitter’s company blog.
Claim: purports Elon Musk published a 'Rest In Peace (RIP)' tweet for late financier Jeffrey Epstein (Post, 2023-05-17)
Evidence (2023-06-07): A photo shared on Twitter allegedly shows an April 2020 tweet of Twitter CEO Elon Musk calling then-girlfriend, Canadian musician Grimes, his "little hyperpop kitty." [...] The image is digitally fabricated. There is no record of Musk publishing such a tweet. [...] This is not the first time a fabricated tweet from Musk has gone viral. Check Your Fact previously debunked a claim that he posted a "Rest In Peace (RIP)" tweet for late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Claim: purports Elon Musk published a 'Rest In Peace (RIP)' tweet for late financier Jeffrey Epstein (Post, 2023-05-17)
Evidence (2023-05-18): On May 17, 2023, the @kennedytcooper Twitter account asked in reference to Twitter owner Elon Musk, "Did he just RIP Jeffrey Epstein?" The post showed a screenshot of a purported May 16 tweet from Musk, in which he had supposedly said, "The woke left can't decide if I'm anti-semitic or friends with a Jewish man (RIP) and it's driving them crazy." However, this tweet was fake. Musk never posted for Epstein to "RIP" ("rest in peace"). Further, in recent weeks, Musk's tweets all showed a blue verification checkmark next to a Twitter logo, an indication of his affiliation with the social media company. That bird logo was missing from the fake tweet screenshot, which meant that the person who created the screenshot forgot to include it. [...] We previously reported on other rumors concerning Musk and Epstein. Examples include an authentic photo of Musk standing near convicted sex trafficker and Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, a fake tweet in Musk's name in which he purportedly said he missed Maxwell, and a fake map image that supposedly showed a flight path for Musk's jet going to one of Epstein's islands.
Claim: purports Elon Musk published a 'Rest In Peace (RIP)' tweet for late financier Jeffrey Epstein (Post, 2023-05-17)
Evidence (2022-12-16): By doing so, Musk has become a victim of multiple accounts impersonating him. Among these was one tweet linking Musk to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. A tweet sent on November 6, 2022, by @RespectableLawyer stated: "Hi, I'm Elon Musk (Parody). Three years after Jeffrey Epstein pled guilty to procuring a child for prostitution and shortly after his release from prison, I took my ex-wife Talulah Riley to his house (Not Parody)." [...] Talulah Riley has stated on Twitter that she and Musk visited Epstein's house briefly among a list of appointments while visiting New York City.
Claim: purports Elon Musk published a 'Rest In Peace (RIP)' tweet for late financier Jeffrey Epstein (Post, 2023-05-17)
Evidence (2023-05-23): FACT CHECK: Did Elon Musk Publish An ‘RIP’ Tweet For Jeffrey Epstein?
Claim: purports Elon Musk published a 'Rest In Peace (RIP)' tweet for late financier Jeffrey Epstein (Post, 2023-05-17)
Evidence (2023-06-01): A post shared on Twitter purports "prominent attorneys" are investigating whether Twitter and Tesla CEO Elon Musk allegedly lied on his U.S. citizenship application. [...] "BREAKING: Prominent attorneys are investigating whether Elon Musk lied on his application for U.S. citizenship. If it shows that he lied anywhere on the application, its likely he could be stripped of his of U.S. citizenship and deported," the Twitter post, viewed 37,000 times, purports. [...] This is not the first time a false claim about Musk has circulated. Check Your Fact previously debunked a social media post purporting Musk published a "Rest In Peace (RIP)" tweet for late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Claim: purports Elon Musk published a 'Rest In Peace (RIP)' tweet for late financier Jeffrey Epstein (Post, 2023-05-17)
Evidence (2021-06-05): On June 4, Friday, an image supposedly showing screenshots of a couple of tweets posted by Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk, in which he cryptically makes references to the convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell in an acrostic code, started circulating on social media. [...] The Twitter user shared a follow-up tweet appearing to show a similar message in acrostic code allegedly posted by Musk that read out the words, "RIP Jeffrey." [...] The image appears to have been created as a hoax in order to establish ties between Musk, Epstein and Maxwell. The British socialite is currently awaiting trial on charges that she recruited young girls for Epstein's sex trafficking ring. Critics of Musk and conspiracy theorists have time and again tried to push Musk's connection to Maxwell with a photo of the pair.
Claim: purports Elon Musk published a 'Rest In Peace (RIP)' tweet for late financier Jeffrey Epstein (Post, 2023-05-17)
Evidence (2023-05-16): Elon Musk documents subpoenaed in Jeffrey Epstein lawsuit - Published [...] Epstein, a financier, had been a client of JP Morgan from 2000 to 2013. Mr Musk was also been a customer - with JP Morgan in charge of Tesla's commercial banking business for several years. Mr Musk tweeted on Monday that the suggestion that he taken advice from Epstein was "idiotic" and called the late financier a "dumb crook."
Claim: purports Elon Musk published a 'Rest In Peace (RIP)' tweet for late financier Jeffrey Epstein (Post, 2023-05-17)
Evidence (2024-10-08): Jeffrey Epstein, the financier recently indicted on sex trafficking charges, built a fortune of more than half a billion dollars. Ken Brown explains how Epstein amassed his wealth, and Jenny Strasburg looks at Deutsche Bank's role in Epstein's recent financial dealings.
Claim: purports Elon Musk published a 'Rest In Peace (RIP)' tweet for late financier Jeffrey Epstein (Post, 2023-05-17)
Evidence (2024-10-06): It started last summer when the Times received a tip that Epstein had been advising Tesla CEO Elon Musk, right, on who to appoint to a high-powered position at the company. (Musk has since denied this rumor.) NPR reported that business editors asked Thomas to attempt to interview Epstein, given their history, about the Musk tip. [...] SouthFront, Jeffrey Epstein RIP: But Many More Questions Remain to be Answered, Philip M. Giraldi (former CIA officer), right, Aug. 11, 2019. The Jeffrey Epstein saga goes on even though convicted pedophile Epstein himself has been found hanged in his jail cell in Manhattan. [...] Vanity Fair, "A Lot of Powerful People...Could Go Down": The Journalist Who Published Jeffrey Epstein’s Black Book and Jet Passenger Logs Comes in From the Fringe, Joe Pompeo, July 18, 2019. Nick Bryant started pursuing the disgraced financier around 2012. He talks about how the world finally caught up, and where the case may go from here.
Claim: purports to show Muslim refugees terrorizing New York (Video, 2023-08-04)
Evidence (2023-08-04): The original video, published via Instagram, shows chaos that ensued after Twitch streamer Kai Cenat hosted a giveaway in Union Square on Aug. 4. A spokesperson for the New York Police Department (NYPD)’s Deputy Commissioner, Public Information denied the claim in an email to Check Your Fact.
Claim: purports to show Muslim refugees terrorizing New York (Video, 2023-08-04)
Evidence (2023-08-15): FACT CHECK: Viral Video Falsely Claims To Show Muslim Refugees Terrorizing New York A video shared on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter, purports to show Muslim refugees terrorizing New York. [...] "US Now the terror of refugee Muslims continues in New York as well," the X video, viewed over 50,000 times, purports. The video shows multiple members of the NYPD dodging objects that are being thrown at them.
Claim: purports to show Muslim refugees terrorizing New York (Video, 2023-08-04)
Evidence (2019-06-20): Syrian Refugee Who Entered U.S. Through New York Arrested For ISIS Terror Plot, Officials Say PITTSBURGH (CBSNewYork/AP) — A Syrian man who first arrived in New York as a refugee is now facing terror charges involving a bomb plot in Pennsylvania.
Claim: purports to show Muslim refugees terrorizing New York (Video, 2023-08-04)
Evidence (2021-09-16): One lawsuit highlighted the actions of an undercover officer who went on a college rafting trip to monitor students, and recorded how often students on the trip prayed. Michael Bloomberg, who took office as mayor of New York months after the attacks has since said the controversial surveillance program was part of an effort to keep the United States safe. In an interview with PBS NewsHour anchor and managing editor Judy Woodruff, Bloomberg in Feb. 2020 said that surveilling the American Muslim community was "a natural place to go." "All of the people came from the same place and all that came were from a place they happened to be one religion. And if they’d been another religion, we would’ve done the same thing," Bloomberg said. "It does not, incidentally, mean that all Muslims are terrorists or all terrorists are Muslim. But, the people that flew those airplanes came from the Middle East and some of the imams were urging more of the same," Bloomberg said, pointing to claims that "there were imams who publicly at that time were urging the terrorism."
Claim: purports to show Muslim refugees terrorizing New York (Video, 2023-08-04)
Evidence (2021-09-08): NEW YORK — A car passed, the driver’s window rolled down and the man spat an epithet at two little girls wearing their hijabs: "Terrorist!"
Claim: purports to show Muslim refugees terrorizing New York (Video, 2023-08-04)
Evidence (2021-09-07): But for many Muslim, Middle Eastern and South Asian New Yorkers, those emotions led to new reasons to be afraid: Children were harassed on their way to school and taunted as "terrorists;" immigration crackdowns tore apart communities like Little Pakistan in Brooklyn; and an NYPD surveillance program spied on innocent people in New York and beyond for more than a decade.
Claim: purports to show Muslim refugees terrorizing New York (Video, 2023-08-04)
Evidence (2023-08-15): FACT CHECK: Viral Video Falsely Claims To Show Muslim Refugees Terrorizing New York
Claim: purports to show Muslim refugees terrorizing New York (Video, 2023-08-04)
Evidence (2013-06-17): - The purported rationale for this unconstitutional surveillance is captured in a 2007 NYPD Intelligence Division report titled "Radicalization in the West: The Homegrown Threat." The report claims to identify a "radicalization process" by which individuals turn into terrorists – a "process" so broad that it seems to treat with suspicion anyone who identifies as Muslim, harbors Islamic beliefs, or engages in Islamic religious practices. For example, its purported radicalization "indicators" include First Amendment-protected activities including "wearing traditional Islamic clothing [and] growing a beard," abstaining from alcohol, and "becoming involved in social activism."
Claim: Michigan will fine $800 for balloon releases (Viral post, 2023-04-27)
Evidence (2023-04-27): The caption is inaccurate. The legislation has not been voted on yet.
Claim: Michigan will fine $800 for balloon releases (Viral post, 2023-04-27)
Evidence (2023-05-03): FACT CHECK: You Will Not Be Fined $800 For Releasing Balloons In Michigan As of April 2023. [...] "So no more Ballon[sic] releases no where in Michigan," the caption reads. "You will be fined $800 no matter the occasion." There is no credible news report that releasing balloons under any circumstance results in a fine. The post was most likely referencing Bill No. 294, which was introduced to the state senate by Democratic Sen. Mallory McMorrow on April 25 in an effort to reduce waste and has not yet been passed. The bill does include potential fines for violators for releasing balloons, but also includes amendments to allow for specific cases.
Claim: Michigan will fine $800 for balloon releases (Viral post, 2023-04-27)
Evidence (2023-04-25): Michigan floats balloon release ban: Pollution prevention or party pooping? - Michigan Democrats eye bans to most intentional balloon releases to prevent pollution - At least 10 other states have similar bans. [...] Aimed at reducing balloon debris pollution, Senate Bill 294 would prohibit most intentional releases of lighter-than-air balloons outdoors. Violations could result in fines starting at up to $800 and rising to $5,000 for second offenses involving big balloons.
Claim: Michigan will fine $800 for balloon releases (Viral post, 2023-04-27)
Evidence (2023-04-28): But now Michigan could join the growing list of states that ban ballon releases - Californioa, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Tennessee, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Rhode Island and Virginia. [...] And as pretty and symbolic as the balloon releases are - what goes up eventually must come down. [...] If the bill passes into law people who release balloons into the air could be fined $800. And the fines could jump higher depending on the size of the ballon.
Claim: Michigan will fine $800 for balloon releases (Viral post, 2023-04-27)
Evidence (2023-05-03): Michigan legislators introduce bill to ban balloon releases Lansing, MI – Legislators in Michigan introduced Senate Bill 294 that would outlaw releasing balloons if they’re filled with a gas lighter than air but excluding meteorological, scientific and hot air balloons, according to the bill text. The civil fine for violators depends on the amount of litter a balloon produces, with a fine of up to $800 for litter less than 1 cubic foot in volume and up to $2,500 for litter that’s 3 cubic feet or more.
Claim: Michigan will fine $800 for balloon releases (Viral post, 2023-04-27)
Evidence (2022-01-21): Michigan’s Fascination With Hot Air Balloons, Early 1900s [...] But to be fair, there are thousands of Michiganders who love it and go ballooning every year. There are quite a few balloon ride agencies throughout the state, with an average cost of around $800 per couple for a private flight. Otherwise, it's roughly $200-$300 per person. [...] The gallery below shows some actual hot air ballooners in Michigan, and some of those souvenir photos, going back to the early 1900s!
Claim: Michigan will fine $800 for balloon releases (Viral post, 2023-04-27)
Evidence (2023-04-28): LANSING, Mich. — Sending balloons into the air may become illegal in Michigan. [...] The proposed legislation amended section 8902 subsection 3 of the act, stating Michiganders "shall not knowingly release a balloon outdoors if the balloon is filled with a gas that is lighter than air," according to documents. [...] If signed into law, anyone who violates the act by releasing a balloon could be held responsible for a state civil infraction and may be ordered to pay a civil fine of $250 to $2,500, the bill detailed.
Claim: Michigan will fine $800 for balloon releases (Viral post, 2023-04-27)
Evidence (2023-04-27): New Michigan Bill Proposes Fine of $800+ for Releasing Balloons [...] A new bill recently introduced in Michigan wants to ban the intentional release of balloons. And, it comes with a hefty fine for those who disobey. [...] The purpose of the bill is to, hopefully, deter Michiganders from releasing balloons so the environment, and especially the Great Lakes, can remain clean and protected. According to fox2detroit.com,
Claim: Michigan will fine $800 for balloon releases (Viral post, 2023-04-27)
Evidence (2023-05-03): A post shared on social media purports that the state of Michigan has passed a law banning the release of balloons outdoors. [...] "So no more Ballon[sic] releases no where in Michigan," the caption reads. "You will be fined $800 no matter the occasion." There is no credible news report that releasing balloons under any circumstance results in a fine. The post was most likely referencing Bill No. 294, which was introduced to the state senate by Democratic Sen. Mallory McMorrow on April 25 in an effort to reduce waste and has not yet been passed. The bill does include potential fines for violators for releasing balloons, but also includes amendments to allow for specific cases.
Claim: Michigan will fine $800 for balloon releases (Viral post, 2023-04-27)
Evidence (2023-04-26): - Michigan Democrats eye bans to most intentional balloon releases to prevent pollution - At least 10 other states have similar bans. [...] LANSING — Ever think about releasing a bouquet of balloons at a wedding or for a gender reveal? [...] Aimed at reducing balloon debris pollution, Senate Bill 294 would prohibit most intentional releases of lighter-than-air balloons outdoors. Violations could result in fines starting at up to $800 and rising to $5,000 for second offenses involving big balloons.
Claim: Michigan will fine $800 for balloon releases (Viral post, 2023-04-27)
Evidence (2021-11-19): Michigan Legislators Introduce Bills Banning Balloon Releases [...] In October, Rep. Mari Manoogian of District 40 and Senator Mallory McMorrow introduced bills in the Michigan House (Bill No. 5373) and Senate (Bill No. 675) banning the intentional release of balloons into the outdoors. [...] Watch the video: Senator McMorrow introduces the Michigan Balloon Bill
Claim: Michigan will fine $800 for balloon releases (Viral post, 2023-04-27)
Evidence (2023-05-01): The claim: Michigan banned releasing balloons [...] "So no more Ballon releases no where in Michigan you will be fined $800 no matter the occasion," reads the post. [...] The civil fine for violators depends on the amount of litter a balloon produces, with a fine of up to $800 for litter less than 1 cubic foot in volume and up to $2,500 for litter that’s 3 cubic feet or more.
Claim: Michigan will fine $800 for balloon releases (Viral post, 2023-04-27)
Evidence (2023-04-26): Balloon release ban introduced in Michigan Senate to prevent pollution LANSING, Mich. (FOX 2) - Your next balloon release could come with a hefty $800 fine. Legislation introduced in the Michigan Senate calls for banning the intentional release of balloons over environmental concerns. Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) unveiled the bill Tuesday while lawmakers were in session.
Claim: Michigan will fine $800 for balloon releases (Viral post, 2023-04-27)
Evidence (2023-01-01): Launching, landing, or operating manned aircraft (e.g. hot air balloons, helicopter, seaplane, etc.) or sky lanterns from or on the lands and waters administrated by the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority is prohibited except in the case of an emergency or as approved in writing by the Director or designee. Violation of this rule is subject to ticketing or other actions.
Claim: Michigan will fine $800 for balloon releases (Viral post, 2023-04-27)
Evidence (2023-04-27): Bill banning balloon releases aims to protect Great Lakes by: Byron Tollefson [...] GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Letting balloons go into the sky could soon break the law in Michigan. [...] If this bill is signed into law, you’ll have to pay up if you’re caught letting a balloon go on purpose. Fines start at $800 and can go up to $5,000.
Claim: Michigan will fine $800 for balloon releases (Viral post, 2023-04-27)
Evidence (2023-07-13): That’s why Michigan lawmakers have reintroduced legislation — SB 294 and HB 4466 — to prohibit a person from intentionally releasing a balloon outdoors "filled with a gas lighter than air." Violators would be at risk of a $250 fine. [...] The legislation exempts balloons released for "scientific or meteorological purposes" on behalf of a government agency, and hot air balloons that carry passengers or are recovered after the fact. [...] Brammeier said banning balloon releases would help alleviate only part of the problem. He believes lawmakers should work on holding the producers of single-use plastics financially responsible, not just restricting individual items.
Claim: CNN published an article claiming Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy made "several unproven claims" in his impeachment inquiry announcement. (CNN, 2023-09-13)
Evidence (2023-09-13): The CNN article acknowledges that at least three of McCarthy’s claims are true, if missing context, and that at least one is based on “evolving” House Republican allegations.
Claim: CNN published an article claiming Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy made "several unproven claims" in his impeachment inquiry announcement. (CNN, 2023-09-13)
Evidence (2023-07-26): Speaker Kevin McCarthy is for the first time publicly warming to the possibility of an impeachment probe against the president – at a moment when Washington is bracing for a potential third criminal indictment of his predecessor. He first floated the idea on Fox News Monday, then doubled down on Capitol Hill a day later. [...] McCarthy’s comments on impeachment mark the latest occasion when the speaker appeased the most right-wing, pro-Trump sectors of his conference on whom his narrow grip on the gavel depends. But ironically, his responsiveness to his right flank also risks alienating the very voters who backed Biden in 2020 but then helped hand control of the chamber to the GOP in last year’s midterms – albeit with a tiny majority. [...] McCarthy insisted on Tuesday that he was only contemplating an impeachment inquiry – rather than a full-scale drive to an impeachment vote – in the House. This approach could be a way to convince more moderate Republicans that he is merely seeking to access the broader powers needed to get information from the White House and elsewhere that the impeachment inquiries unlock.
Claim: CNN published an article claiming Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy made "several unproven claims" in his impeachment inquiry announcement. (CNN, 2023-09-13)
Evidence (2023-07-26): House Speaker Kevin McCarthy floats an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy says Republican lawmakers may consider an impeachment inquiry of President Joe Biden over unproven claims of financial misconduct, responding to enormous GOP pressure to demonstrate support for Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 presidential election. In remarks Tuesday at the Capitol, McCarthy said the questions House Republicans are raising about the Biden family finances need to be investigated. So far, he acknowledged, the House’s probes have not proven any wrongdoing, but an impeachment inquiry "allows Congress to get the information to be able to know the truth."