Says of Gov. Tony Evers and 2020 violence in Kenosha after the police shooting of Jacob Blake: “It took the loss of lives before help finally came.”

Evers has ‘no regrets’ about response to Kenosha shooting MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Gov. Tony Evers says he has "no regrets" about how the state responded to protests that broke out in Kenosha following the police shooting of Jacob Blake. [...] The Evers appearance came as the Marquette University Law School released its first poll since the Aug. 23 police shooting of Blake.


Most notable is this claim: "It took the loss of lives before help finally came." [...] In an ad, Empower Wisconsin said of Evers and Kenosha violence: "It took the loss of lives before help finally came." [...] Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, After calls for unity and healing, tension still simmers in Kenosha after police shooting of Jacob Blake, Aug. 28, 2020


“Putin has stated: Russian citizens (have) 2 options: Stay home for 15 days or in jail for 5 years.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin has implemented some policies to cancel large gatherings and keep people at home during the coronavirus pandemic. But we could not find any evidence that he has threatened jail time for people who don’t comply. The claim about a Putin policy to jail those who don’t stay at home appears to come from a post by the Twitter account of an Indian comedian, who later labeled his assertion a "joke."


“Mike Tyson says he’s willing to box Olympic DUDE with all proceeds to go to a battered women’s charity.”

Mike Tyson says he's willing to box Olympic Troon [...] Tyson isn’t the same person - people can change. Dude was raised like an animal. He is a human now. [...] I dont hate mike. Id even hang out with him. I'm never going to attempt to prop him up as a frickin spokesperson for battered women though.


“Free health allowance is available at no cost.”

A. Free Personal Care has been available in Scotland for adults aged 65 or over since 2002. The Scottish Government has legislated to ensure that by 1 April 2019 adults of any age, no matter their condition, capital or income, who are assessed by their local authority as needing this service, are entitled to receive this without charge. Free Nursing Care is similar and has been available to all who are assessed as requiring nursing care services, regardless of age, without charge. [...] However, Free Personal and Nursing Care payments will only begin when an assessment has been carried out and a contract is in place with the care home. It is not possible to have Free Personal and Nursing Care payments backdated to a point before the contract is in place. [...] A. All local authorities have criteria which recognise urgency and risk as factors in determining eligibility for services, such as personal care. Those at the higher risks (critical or substantial), will be more likely to receive Free Personal and Nursing Care services or to receive them sooner, than those who are assessed as moderate or low risk.


Uninsured Or Unemployed? You Might Be Missing Out On Free Health Insurance [...] There is Medicaid, which is the state-federal public plan for low-income people. And, on HealthCare.gov and the state marketplaces there are free "bronze plans" — the lowest tier of plans — that might be available with zero-dollar premiums depending on your income. Both of those have been options for years. [...] "There are millions of people who are passing up free health insurance," says Cynthia Cox, director of the Program on the ACA at the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation, who authored a recent brief on the topic. "That free health insurance — most of the time — actually comes with very low deductibles, too. So a lot of times, people could have all — or the vast majority — of their health care costs paid for."


The claim: Biden’s executive order gives free health insurance [...] "Your 2023 Relief Package Is Here!," reads the caption of the post. "President Biden signed Executive Order 14009 making Health Insurance FREE for qualifying Americans. Thanks to the Affordable Cart (sic) Act, American’s (sic) with less than $50k/year income now qualify to get Health Plans for as low as $0/month." [...] The order requires heads of agencies to examine policies or practices that "may present unnecessary barriers to individuals and families" attempting to access either Medicaid or Affordable Care Act coverage. The order makes no reference to free health insurance coverage.


“One quarter” of today’s $31.4 trillion federal debt “was accumulated in the four years of my predecessor,” Donald Trump.

The national debt has risen by almost $7.8 trillion during Trump’s time in office. That’s nearly twice as much as what Americans owe on student loans, car loans, credit cards and every other type of debt other than mortgages, combined, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. It amounts to about $23,500 in new federal debt for every person in the country. [...] Nine days later, he tweeted, "Because of Tariffs we will be able to start paying down large amounts of the $21 trillion in debt that has been accumulated, much by the Obama Administration." [...] Weeks later, COVID-19 erupted and made the financial situation far worse. As of Dec. 31, 2020, the national debt had jumped to $27.75 trillion, up 39% from $19.95 trillion when Trump was sworn in. The government ended its 2020 fiscal year with the portion of the national debt owed to investors, the metric favored by the CBO, at around 100% of GDP. The CBO had predicted less than a year earlier that it would take until 2030 to reach that approximate level of debt. Including the trillions owed to various governmental trust funds, the total debt is now about 130% of GDP.


“We’ve had more Americans die of fentanyl than the Iraq, Afghanistan, and Vietnam Wars, combined.”

About 65,300 soldiers died in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan combined. About 127,000 Americans died from drug overdoses involving a synthetic opioid other than methadone in 2020 and 2021, federal data shows. These deaths are primarily because of fentanyl. War deaths are often used as a way to illustrate the scale of a public health crisis. U.S. health officials typically track opioid deaths alongside deaths from other public health causes like heart disease or cancer.


"We do have fentanyl that's dangerous, we have xylazine that's poison," Vincent told NPR. "We've had an entire community swept away. I can't even think of all the people I know who have died. My daughter died. Our mentors are dead. It is so dangerous right now." Public health experts say fentanyl, a synthetic opioid far more powerful than heroin, is responsible for the majority of drug deaths. But the supply of illegal drugs is increasingly complex and perilous. [...] "We've had more Americans die of fentanyl than the Iraq, Afghanistan, and Vietnam wars, combined," said Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor who is now seeking the GOP presidential nomination, speaking to voters in New Hampshire on Dec. 14.


“Pelosi’s $1.9 trillion bailout gives EVERY federal employee a $21,000 bonus check… they never lost their job!”

The $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package gives federal employees access to a new bank of paid leave, which will allow them to recover from COVID-19 and care fo... [...] Congress on Wednesday passed a sweeping $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, known as the American Rescue Plan, which will provide federal employees with a few new benefits. [...] The American Rescue Plan includes a few provisions that are notable for federal employees. At the top of the list is more paid leave for the vast majority of employees.


No, COVID-19 relief law doesn’t give federal workers a $21,000 bonus [...] There is no bonus check. This appears to be a distortion of a limited-term provision in the package that provides additional paid family leave to some federal employees, covering leave that would otherwise be unpaid. [...] A Facebook post claims that the new COVID-19 relief package provides every federal employee with a $21,000 bonus check.


The U.S. House version of the "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021" – a $1.9 trillion emergency aid package to help America recover from the coronavirus pandemic has an extra perk for federal workers: Enhanced paid time off if your child is enrolled in a school that isn’t back to full-time, in-classroom instruction. Critics call it a personal bailout for bureaucrats. It is funded through a new $570 million family leave account exclusively for federal workers. [...] Buried on page 305 of the House bill released late last Friday night (included after the bailout details for states and localities), is a new Treasury Department fund called the "Emergency Federal Employee Leave Fund."


"Tim Walz signed into law driver's licenses for illegal immigrants in Minnesota."

Yes, Tim Walz signed a law letting immigrants illegally in Minnesota get driver’s licenses [...] "Tim Walz signed into law driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants in Minnesota, he wanted health care for illegal immigrants in Minnesota, this guy is incredibly left-wing," Donalds said. [...] On March 7, 2023, as Minnesota governor, Walz signed H.F. 4, a bill that expanded access to driver’s licenses to people in the state, regardless of their immigration status. State House and Senate Democrats broadly supported the measure, and only one House Republican supported it.


Gov. Walz signs bill granting driver's licenses to unauthorized immigrants in Minnesota [...] Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill into law at the Minnesota National Guard Armory in St. Paul on Tuesday that will allow unauthorized immigrants to obtain driver's licenses. [...] Minnesota joins 18 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico where residents can access driver's licenses regardless of immigration status. In Minnesota licenses can be used for driving and identification purposes. The new law will allow previously unlicensed drivers to become insured, and studies have shown licenses improve road safety.


‘Sí se pudo’: Walz signs immigrant driver’s license bill into law [...] Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday signed a bill allowing people in the state to obtain a driver’s license or ID card regardless of their immigration status. [...] Dozens of immigrants and supporters of the policy change flanked the governor during a bill signing ceremony at the Minnesota National Guard Armory. Several teared up when Walz signed the measure into law and they chanted "Sí se pudo," which means yes we could.


Bernie Sanders has “never taken corporate lobbyist money in his *entire political career.*"

Bernie Sanders has taken corporate lobbyist money — in small amounts [...] "One major reason I support Bernie is his consistency when things are hard. Not only does Bernie reject corporate money in 2020, he’s also never taken corporate lobbyist money in his *entire political career*," Ocasio-Cortez tweeted, using asterisks for emphasis. "He is a real one. And in politics, that is nearly impossible to find." Sanders never once took corporate lobbyist money? That’s not the case.


Sanders is well known for eschewing campaign contributions from big-business interests. But there have been instances where lobbyists representing corporations or industry groups have donated to his presidential and Senate campaigns.


“Starbucks just announced that they’re going cashless.”

Starbucks is testing out cashless checkout in stores nationwide, according to several news reports. As of Tuesday, for example, one downtown Seattle store accepts only cards or mobile payments, according to a report from KIRO-7. [...] Just last month, former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, told CNBC that Starbucks would soon be a cashless retailer. "That time is nearer than you think," he said, but also added that people would continue to brew and pour coffee. "I don't see a day where artificial intelligence or robotics is going to replace the humanity of Starbucks," he said. [...] The cashless store is positioned as a convenience play, but cash-free payments, especially through a retailer's mobile app, could siphon up a lot of customer data. Starbucks is looking for feedback on its new effort, and the privacy concerns expressed to the Seattle news channel aren't likely relegated to just one store.


We have expanded service beyond drive-thru to include mobile ordering for contactless pick-up, delivery and, in some locations, curbside pickup and grab-and-go through the café. [...] The third place experience created by Starbucks partners in our stores is extended and enhanced by the digital relationships we have with our customers. Our Starbucks App will enable new features, including optimizing for curbside pick-up, entryway handoff, improved drive-thru experiences, voice ordering through Siri and the ability for everyone to earn stars that can be redeemed for rewards. We will also shift toward more cashless experiences, knowing that the handling of cash creates consumer concerns about the spread of viruses. We predict the mobile app will become the dominant form of payment. [...] Starbucks is well-positioned for this transformation. Pre-COVID-19, more than 80 percent of customer orders in the U.S. were for "on the go" — through the drive-thru, in a café at point-of-sale or through Mobile Order for pickup or delivery. That means the majority of Starbucks customers are already familiar with the safe, convenient experiences that are now called for by physical distancing recommendations.


“Tim Ryan when he ran for president two years ago … supported banning fracking both on public lands and generally speaking.”

Ryan, as a 2020 presidential candidate, spoke about regulating fracking and even halting it if the industry cannot keep local residents safe. He said he’d "absolutely" consider banning fracking on federal lands and voted to stop the processing of fracking applications for drilling sites off California’s coast. However, Ryan’s full record of statements and policies show his focus has been on leveraging natural gas as a transitional fuel and a source of revenue and jobs for Ohio, while reducing environmental risks.


“Bernie Sanders wants free health care for all and was asked how he would pay for it. His answer was raise taxes to 52% on anybody making over $29,000 per year.”

Originally introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Medicare for All Act of 2019 (S.1129) would provide universal health insurance to U.S. residents and displace almost all private insurers. Benefits under Medicare for All would be very generous. This program would cover a much broader range of services than current Medicare, including dental, vision, hearing, and home and community-based long-term care. And under Medicare for All, participants would have no copayments or premiums. [...] Sanders’ bill, as written, contains no plan to pay for the costs of Medicare for All, and so—following long-standing conventions — we score it as increasing deficits. Despite the potential cost savings described above, we project that Sanders’ bill would increase the federal debt by 92 percent in 2060. This increase swamps the economic boost from a healthier, larger population, and creates a drag on long-run economic growth. [...] Although it’s missing from his bill, Sanders has stated his intention to pay for Medicare for All through higher taxes. Recognizing this, we analyzed two alternative financing options: increasing the payroll tax rate and a new, flat insurance premium on all workers (subsidized for lower-income workers). Under the payroll tax financing option, the economy is 15 percent smaller in 2060. Under the premium financing option, the economy is slightly larger in 2060, by about 0.2 percent.


“In 2021, Minnesotans were roughly five times more likely to move to Florida than vice versa” because they were “fleeing” the state under Democratic Gov. Tim Walz."

Robert Cowles stated on July 12, 2024 in Radio address "The most recent State Budget increased funding for the Department of Tourism by 98 percent." Jesse Watters stated on August 6, 2024 in a segment on "Jesse Watters Primetime" Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz "forced schools to stock tampons in boys’ bathrooms." Ron DeSantis stated on August 6, 2024 in an X post "In 2021, Minnesotans were roughly five times more likely to move to Florida than vice versa" because they were "fleeing" the state under Democratic Gov. Tim Walz. Tony Evers stated on June 11, 2024 in X, formerly Twitter Wisconsin had a "record-breaking year" for tourism in 2023. Van Wanggaard stated on April 15, 2024 in X, formerly Twitter Says Gov. Tony Evers is asking the GOP to release money for PFAS, but "vetoed (a bill outlining) how to spend the money." Tom Tiffany stated on April 30, 2024 in X, formerly Twitter "The science is clear — the gray wolf has met and exceeded recovery goals." Tyler August stated on May 3, 2024 in Newsletter "Nearly 90% of all UW graduates stay in Wisconsin 5 years after they graduate." [...] Ron DeSantis stated on August 6, 2024 in an X post "In 2021, Minnesotans were roughly five times more likely to move to Florida than vice versa" because they were "fleeing" the state under Democratic Gov. Tim Walz.


Yes, more Minnesotans move to Florida than the reverse. The trend predates Tim Walz’s governorship. [...] "In 2021, Minnesotans were roughly five times more likely to move to Florida than vice versa," Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, posted Aug. 6 on X. "They were fleeing a state that, under Gov. Tim Walz, turned its back on law and order, increased taxes, and imposed unscientific coronavirus restrictions, harming children and destroying businesses." [...] DeSantis said Minnesotans were "five times more likely" to move to Florida than vice versa in 2021, and blamed Walz’s policies.


Says Melania Trump is the “first FLOTUS to visit troops in a combat zone since 1969.”

CLAIM: "Melania is first FLOTUS to visit a combat zone since 1969" - statement circulating on social media with photo of President Donald Trump and Melania visiting troops in Iraq on Dec. 26. THE FACTS: At least three first ladies have visited combat zones, as defined by federal regulations, since 1969. According to reporting by The Associated Press, Michelle Obama visited troops at al-Udeid air base in Qatar, in 2015, while first lady. The Arabian Peninsula, including Qatar, was designated as a combat zone in January 1991. Laura Bush visited Afghanistan, which was designated a combat zone in 2001, twice as first lady in 2005 and 2008. Michelle Gullion, archives director and curator for the National First Ladies’ Library, told the AP that former first lady Pat Nixon went to a combat zone in 1969. She accompanied then-President Richard Nixon on a visit to South Vietnam. Gullion said the first first lady to visit a combat zone was Eleanor Roosevelt, during World War II. Barbara Bush visited troops in Saudi Arabia in 1990, but the area was not officially designated as a combat zone. Hillary Clinton visited Bosnia in 1996, when it was considered a "hostile area." [...] Find all AP Fact Checks here: https://www.apnews.com/tag/APFactCheck


“Joe Biden’s margin of the less than 21,000 votes in Wisconsin was the tightest of any state in 2020.”

Wisconsin: Trump won here in 2016 by fewer than 23,000 votes. Biden, though, won it by 20,500 votes (pending a recount). So every vote counted. Biden turned out more Milwaukee County voters and won by a 20,000 more votes than Clinton did in 2016. But Biden's biggest vote gain came from Dane County, home to Madison and the University of Wisconsin. He won there by 35,000 more votes than Clinton did in 2016. Biden also chipped away in some more rural and suburban areas, even Waukesha, the heavily Republican county. Biden cut into Trump's margin there by 7,500 votes.


Chief Justice John Roberts visited Jeffrey Epstein's private island.

(Dershowitz says he and the prince ended up not getting along because they disagreed about Israel.) Dershowitz visited Epstein’s mansions in New York and Palm Beach and occasionally accompanied him on his private plane. He says these trips were family oriented. Once, Epstein lent him the Palm Beach home so he could attend a granddaughter’s soccer tournament. Another time, he and his nephew flew down to watch a space launch with another Epstein connection, a top NASA official. He and his wife, Carolyn Cohen, once stayed with Epstein on his island in the Caribbean, where they were joined by another Harvard professor and his family. [...] In 2006, the world’s most famous brain visited Little St. James, Epstein’s private island, which came to be known as "Pedophile Island." Hawking, who was in the Caribbean for a conference, was photographed at a barbecue on the island and aboard a submarine for a tour. According to the Telegraph, "Epstein is said to have paid for the submarine to be modified for Professor Hawking, who had never been underwater before." Read More: Everything We Know About Jeffrey Epstein’s Private ‘Pedophile Island’


“Congress has one job here: to count electoral votes that have in fact been cast by any state.”

Congress’s task is simply to count electoral votes Jan. 6 [...] "Congress has one job here: to count electoral votes that have in fact been cast by any state, as designated by those authorized to do so under state law," U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Green Bay, said in a Jan. 3, 2020, statement signed by several other members of the House. "To take action otherwise — that is, to unconstitutionally insert Congress into the center of the presidential election process — would amount to stealing power from the people and the states." [...] "There is no authority for Congress to make value judgments in the abstract regarding any state’s election laws or the manner in which they have been implemented," the statement from Gallagher and the others said. "The text of the Constitution is clear. States select electors. Congress does not. Accordingly, our path forward is also clear. We must respect the states’ authority here. Though doing so may frustrate our immediate political objectives, we have sworn an oath to promote the Constitution above our policy goals. We must count the electoral votes submitted by the states."


The Twelfth Amendment details how Congress is to oversee the counting of electoral votes. But the power to appoint electors is given to the states. Congress or the vice president don’t have the power to substitute their preference or judgment.


Eric Schmitt “sponsored a bill to spend $480 million of your tax dollars” on cargo hub for airlines "owned by China's Communist Party” and "voted to let China buy up Missouri farmland."

Senator Eric Schmitt has deep family roots in Missouri, stemming from six generations of farmers, teachers, and small business owners in cities like Tipton, Pilot Grove, Louisiana, and St. Louis. During World War II, his grandfather served in the 7th Army and later opened a small butcher shop, where Eric’s father worked while earning a diploma through night school. Their experiences instilled in Eric the importance of hard work and resilience. [...] In November 2022, Eric Schmitt was elected as Missouri’s United States Senator and he has the privilege today of serving on the Armed Services, Commerce, and Joint Economic Committees. As a member of these committees, he is focused on dismantling the alliance between the federal government and big tech, halting China’s bid for global dominance, fighting to ease the economic burden and pain inflicted on Missourians and Americans by the Biden Administration’s reckless spending, and ensuring our military is the most revered fighting force in the world. [...] Eric also served as the 46th State Treasurer of Missouri. He fought to safeguard taxpayer funds and created a statewide tool to allow citizens to track government spending easily. Previously, he served as a Missouri state senator, where he authored tax cuts, advocated for those with special needs, and fought to end taxation by citation.


Says NBC News’ Kristen Welker “gave thousands of dollars to Obama, Clinton and Biden, is registered as a Democrat & her family spent Christmas with the Obamas at the White House.”

NBC News correspondent Kristen Welker, the moderator for the third presidential debate, has not donated money to Democrats, according to contribution data. Welker is currently registered to vote in Washington, D.C., with no party affiliation, according to the District of Columbia Board of Elections. A photo of Welker with Barack and Michelle Obama is from a 2012 White House reception for the press.


Welker has not donated thousands of dollars to Democratic candidates, registered as a Democrat or "spent Christmas" at the White House with President Barack Obama, despite what an Oct. 17 Facebook post claims. "Kristen Welker, of NBC, the next debate moderator chosen by the ‘unbiased’ presidential commission, gave thousands of dollars to Obama, Clinton and Biden, is registered as a Democrat (and) her family spent Christmas with the Obamas at the White House," the post, featuring photos of Welker and her family, says. "Her mother is an activist for Biden!" [...] The Facebook post’s claim that Welker and her family "spent Christmas with the Obamas at the White House" is also inaccurate, as scores of journalists and pundits pointed out on Twitter.


On Saturday, [Trump] ripped Welker while quote-tweeting his son, Donald Trump Jr., who linked to a New York Post article claiming that the White House correspondent has "deep Democratic ties." The Post reported that Welker’s parents have donated tens of thousands of dollars to Democratic candidates and close to $20,000 to former President Barack Obama alone. Although Welker’s party registration is not currently listed, the Post reported that she was a registered Democrat in Washington, D.C., in 2012 and in Rhode Island in 2004. The Post also pointed to Welker and her parents celebrating Christmas at the White House with the Obamas in 2012. [...] A spokesperson for Welker told TPM on Monday that Welker is not a registered Democrat and has been a "registered independent in D.C. since 2012, almost a decade."


Says his Jan. 6, 2021, speech on the White House Ellipse drew the “same number of people,” as the 1963 March on Washington where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech.

The House select committee that investigated the events of Jan. 6, 2021, estimated 53,000 people attended President Donald Trump’s speech at the White House Ellipse. [...] Describing his speech to supporters on Jan. 6, 2021, Trump said he spoke to the "same number of people, if not, we had more" than King’s 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech. The crowd-size comparison is wrong. Credible estimates say many more people attended the 1963 March on Washington during King’s speech than attended Trump’s Ellipse speech.


Earlier today, former President Donald Trump once again claimed he bore no responsibility for the violence at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. "I said peacefully and patriotically," Trump told reporters. That has been a persistent theme of his for years. The former president was repeating part of a short sentence culled from his lengthy speech at the White House Ellipse on Jan. 6, 2021. By focusing on that brief phrase, Trump is trying to deceive both the courts and the public. He wants people to focus on a short passage in which he told his supporters to march "peacefully and patriotically" to the Capitol, while ignoring all the inflammatory rhetoric he employed during the same speech. [...] As we explain in detail below, Trump’s defense should fail in both those tribunals. We expect prosecutors will explain to the jurors why the sentence in the Ellipse speech is, in actuality, more incriminating than exculpatory when understood in context. Indeed, evidence uncovered by the January 6th Select Committee shows that Trump deliberately and repeatedly implored his followers to "fight" – and was reticent to use the word "peaceful" at all. Recent revelations of evidence gathered by Special Counsel Jack Smith will also help prove the case. [...] The key sentence in the Jan. 6 Ellipse speech, according to Trump and his attorneys, is this one:


The House select committee that investigated the events of Jan. 6, 2021, estimated 53,000 people attended President Donald Trump’s speech at the White House Ellipse. The National Archives says 250,000 people attended Martin Luther King's Jr.’s "I Have a Dream" speech on Aug. 28, 1963, during the March on Washington.


"Antifa was already inside the Capitol with floor plans dressed as Trump supporters" on Jan. 6, 2021, proving the attack “was 100% a setup."

No, video of rioters discussing Capitol ‘floor plan’ doesn’t prove Jan. 6 was antifa setup [...] The Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol was not a "setup" by antifa activists who were "already inside the Capitol with floor plans dressed as Trump supporters." The viral Facebook post making that claim revived a debunked conspiracy theory. [...] More than a year and a half later, those claims continue to spread online — despite having been thoroughly debunked. "Antifa was already inside the Capitol with floor plans dressed as Trump supporters," said the text over a viral Facebook post shared July 15. "This was 100% a setup."


The claim: A video shows antifa inside the Capitol building with floor plans and dressed as Trump supporters on Jan. 6, proving the attack was a setup [...] Based on our research, we rate FALSE the claim that a video shows antifa inside the Capitol building with floor plans and dressed as Trump supporters on Jan. 6, proving the attack was a setup. Experts said antifa was not involved in the Jan. 6 attack, and all evidence indicates that a pro-Trump mob was responsible for breaking into the Capitol building. Some of the rioters in the video are well-known Trump supporters. In addition, the footage does not prove that the attack was a setup. It shows events that occurred when the attack was underway.


Says Marjorie Taylor Greene said, “Jesus loves the U.S. most and that is why the Bible is written in English.”

A version of this quote has been misattributed to more than one female elected official.


During the 2020 Minnesota riots after George Floyd’s murder, Gov. Tim Walz didn’t call in the National Guard, “so, I sent in the National Guard to save Minneapolis.”

By — Tim Sullivan, Associated Press Tim Sullivan, Associated Press By — Amy Forliti, Associated Press Amy Forliti, Associated Press Leave a comment 0comments Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/watch-live-minnesota-gov-tim-walz-holds-presser-amid-protests-over-george-floyd-death Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz acknowledges ‘abject failure’ in protest response Nation May 29, 2020 10:05 AM EDT MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — With smoke drifting over Minneapolis, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Friday acknowledged the "abject failure" of the response to this week’s violent protests and called for swift justice for police involved in the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man who pleaded for air as a white officer knelt on his neck. Watch the press conference in the video player above Walz said the state would take over the response and that it’s time to show respect and dignity to those who are suffering. "Minneapolis and St. Paul are on fire. The fire is still smoldering in our streets. The ashes are symbolic of decades and generations of pain, of anguish unheard," Walz said, adding. "Now generations of pain is manifesting itself in front of the world — and the world is watching."


Local events are sometimes referred to as the "Minneapolis riots"[20][21] or the "Minneapolis uprising".[22][23][24] Protests that first emerged in Minneapolis on May 26, 2020, were initially peaceful.[19][25] A several-day period of civil unrest, particularly three nights of heavy rioting from May 27, 2020, to the overnight hours of May 29, 2020, however, resulted in an estimated $500 million of damages to 1,500 property locations,[4][26] 604 arrests,[3] 164 instances of arson,[6] and 2 riot-related deaths.[27] Minnesota Governor Tim Walz deployed the state's National Guard to quell civil disorder and protests over Floyd's murder returned to being mostly peaceful events after May 30, 2020.[28][29] The state government's command that responded to the initial unrest after Floyd's murder demobilized on June 7, 2020, as protests and intermittent civil disorder over racial injustice persisted throughout 2020 and 2021.[11][30][31] [...] - ^ "Gov. Tim Walz Activates National Guard In Response To George Floyd Protests". WCCO. May 28, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2021. [...] - ^ Phillips, Tom Vanden Brook and Kristine. "Minnesota National Guard plans to deploy as many as 10,000 soldiers to Minneapolis protests over George Floyd". USA Today. Retrieved November 28, 2020.


“Infection rates in Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties have consistently been among the lowest in the state.”

A look at the data from the end of March to mid-May confirms that the per capita infection rate in Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties was typically in the bottom one-third of counties in the state. By contrast, the other two counties in western New York, Erie and Niagara, were consistently in the top half of counties for infections per capita.


“Anything that you lose on the tariff from the perspective of the consumer, you gain in higher wages, so you're ultimately much better off.”

If Your Time is short - Surveys have shown that the vast majority of economists believe tariffs’ negative impacts — which include higher costs for consumers — consistently outweigh the benefits. Academic and think tank studies bolster those views. [...] Most economists disagree with this idea. Our previous review of academic studies of real-world tariffs concluded that consumers ultimately shoulder most of the burden in higher prices for goods, and the burden outweighs tariffs’ economic benefits. [...] The majority of economists believe the negative impacts from tariffs, including higher costs, consistently outweigh the benefits for consumers. Academic and think tank studies on tariffs’ effects bolster the economists’ views.


President Joe Biden walked “onto an empty airplane for no reason.”

President Joe Biden boarded a plane that brought three former American prisoners to Maryland to talk to the flight crew, according to the White House and multiple journalists. Video footage shows the plane wasn’t empty.


The United Nations sent out an email instructing staff not to use the words “invasion” or “war’” when referring to Ukraine.

The Security Council shall determine the existence of any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression and shall make recommendations, or decide what measures shall be taken in accordance with Articles 41 and 42, to maintain or restore international peace and security. [...] Plans for the application of armed force shall be made by the Security Council with the assistance of the Military Staff Committee. [...] If preventive or enforcement measures against any state are taken by the Security Council, any other state, whether a Member of the United Nations or not, which finds itself confronted with special economic problems arising from the carrying out of those measures shall have the right to consult the Security Council with regard to a solution of those problems.


Says Gov. Tony Evers "wanted to increase your taxes by $1 billion just for heating your homes Instead, Republicans cut your taxes by more than $2 billion."

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers did seek to raise a net $1 billion in taxes in his most recent budget proposal, which Republicans rejected. GOP lawmakers crafted their own budget that delivered more than $2 billion in tax cuts, and Evers signed it. This came after budget estimates came in showing policymakers had an extra $4.4 billion to work with. Macco misses the mark in his comment about the higher taxes going toward heating homes. Evers did aim to increase the amount of revenue utilities would contribute to a program focused on energy efficiencies, but that’s certainly not $1 billion worth.


“Since the week ending March 14, Wisconsin actually saw a drop in tourism spending compared to last year of $1.7 billion.”

The authorities have reprioritized spending through a revised budget, which is currently in parliament. In the meantime, they have taken measures to support the private sector, including loan guarantees and tax obligations facilities as follows: loan guarantees of up to 50 percent for large companies in all sectors (CVE 1 billion, about €9 million); up to 80 percent for companies in the tourism and transport sectors (CVE 1 billion); up to 100 percent for small-and medium-sized enterprises in all sectors (CVE 300 million, €2.7 million) and for micro-enterprises in all sectors (CVE 700 million CVE, about €6.7 million). Other measures include faster settlement of invoices and VAT refunds, extension of the tax payment period, payment in installments for VAT and other withholding taxes, cancellation of contributions to the Pension Fund for three months, and funding of an emergency plan with CVE 76 million through the reallocation of budgetary appropriations, to cover additional expenses for personnel, training and medical equipment.


“Michael Jordan rejects $400 million Disney offer, stating, ‘I do not collaborate with companies aligned with woke ideologies.’”

Michael Jordan Declines Disney’s $400 Million Offer Citing "I Don’t Work With Woke Companies". In a surprising turn of events that resonates far beyond the basketball court, Michael Jordan, an icon synonymous with excellence in basketball and a global sports figure, has made a stand that transcends the boundaries of athletics. Michael Jordan rejected Disney offer $400 million project offer from Disney, with a reason as simple yet impactful as his game-winning shots: "I don’t work with woke companies." This decision has reignited discussions on the role of celebrities and sports figures in social and political matters. As the world reacts to Jordan’s audacious move, it prompts contemplation on the future direction of corporate America and the involvement of prominent individuals in social and political issues. [...] In conclusion, Michael Jordan’s rejection of Disney’s $400 million offer is more than just a business decision; it’s a statement about his personal beliefs and a commentary on the current state of corporate and social affairs. Jordan continues to be a figure of immense influence, shaping discussions and swaying perspectives, proving that his legacy is a slam dunk that extends far beyond the basketball court.


This claim originated on a self-described satire site.


“The White House Gift Shop is putting out a commemorative coin for Donald Trump's indictment.”

While Donald Trump’s indictment is unprecedented, it is not the first time a U.S. president has faced legal challenges, though none have faced criminal charges as Trump does. Throughout American history, several presidents have encountered legal issues, either while in office or after leaving it, creating a patchwork of legal precedents that highlight the complex relationship between the presidency and the law. [...] Recently, a reporter asked me to discuss the word "epic" in the context of The White House coin collection, notably coins related to the indictments of 45th President Donald J. Trump. As a person who enjoys writing, more than talking, I wrote my response to the reporter: [...] Epilogue Coin #1: "The First Indictment of President Donald J. Trump"


“Harvard is sitting on top of a $54 billion hedge fund they call an ‘endowment’ that they pay zero taxes on. Yale has $31 Billion. Stanford $29 Billion. Princeton $26 Billion.”

College and university endowments are donation-supported investments that serve as sources of long-term funding. Harvard’s endowment was at $53.2 billion in 2021. Yale’s was $42.3 billion, Stanford’s was $37.8 billion and Princeton’s was $37.7 billion. Kirk’s numbers appear to reflect 2020 endowment values. Private institutions with very large endowments, such as Harvard University, pay a 1.4% excise tax on net endowment investment income.


The United States spent “2 trillion dollars to train and equip the Afghan military over the past 20 years. They fell in a week.”

Together, with our NATO Allies and partners, we have trained and equipped over three hu- — nearly 300,000 current serving members of the military — of the Afghan National Security Force, and many beyond that who are no longer serving. Add to that, hundreds of thousands more Afghan National Defense and Security Forces trained over the last two decades. [...] After 20 years — a trillion dollars spent training and equipping hundreds of thousands of Afghan National Security and Defense Forces, 2,448 Americans killed, 20,722 more wounded, and untold thousands coming home with unseen trauma to their mental health — I will not send another generation of Americans to war in Afghanistan with no reasonable expectation of achieving a different outcome. [...] And I said, "You know, the United States came here to make sure that we got this terrorist, Osama bin Laden, and that terrorists didn’t amass again to — to go after our country. And then we’re going to have to leave." And a young woman said, "You can’t leave. You can’t leave." It was — it was heartbreaking. "You can’t leave," she said. "I want to be a doctor. I want to be a doctor. I want to be a doctor. If you leave, I’ll never be able to be a doctor." Well, that’s why we spent so much time and money training the Afghan Security Forces to do the work of defending that. If every work —


"(Ron) DeSantis' bill would remove: background checks, instruction, training and oversight."

HB 543 would not eliminate the requirements to get a concealed weapon license in Florida. Those requirements include passing a background check and completing a firearms training class. The bill, however, makes having a license optional, not mandatory. HB 543 will allow people to carry a concealed firearm in public even if they haven’t passed a background check or satisfied all of the license requirements.


“Homicides are intraracial. When you look at white-on-white crime, it's 84%. Right? Homicides. White people kill white people.”

We can discuss why blacks commit more crime percentage wise than white Americans. That is a fact. That will help discover what the solution to this is. But inner cities where most black on black crime happens, is run by Democrats who will not address the problem. They won’t fix what they don’t acknowledge. Crap education and no school choice. Resulting in no jobs or poor paying jobs. Gang and crime proliferates. [...] A huge majority of homicides are intra-racial, with 93% of Black victims killed by Black people and 84% of white victims killed by white people. It’s a problem across the skin colour spectrum. But you do not hear the terms "white on white crime" or "white on white violence"? Why do you think that is?


“24 of every 100 kids in school today speak Spanish.”

Roughly 3.8 million students in U.S. schools are native Spanish-speakers who are not proficient in English. They make up the bulk of the approximately 5 million students nationwide identified as English language learners, the fastest-growing demographic in schools – and the lowest-performing, as judged by achievement tests and graduation rates. [...] From 2000 to 2015, the percentage of Latino students enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools swelled from 16% to 26%. The percentage of white students fell from 61% to 49%, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. [...] At Oyster-Adams Bilingual School in Washington, for example, just 24% of students are English learners, according to school data.


“We have 85 million Americans who have no health insurance.”

In 2018, 58 percent of uninsured adults had incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level ($24,120 for an individual and $49,200 for a family of four). Across age groups, young adults ages 19 to 34 made up the largest share of the uninsured. More than one-third of the uninsured were Latino even though Latinos make up 18 percent of the working-age adult population (Table 1). We examined the remaining uninsured by income status to determine whether they might be eligible for subsidized coverage. The ACA provides subsidized insurance through two sources: Medicaid for adults who earn less than 138 percent of poverty ($16,643 for an individual or $33,948 for a family of four) in states that expanded Medicaid, and subsidized plans in the ACA marketplaces for those who earn up to 400 percent of poverty ($48,240 for an individual and $98,400 for a family of four). [...] Nearly half (47%) of uninsured adults in 2018 had incomes that may make them eligible for either expanded Medicaid or subsidized marketplace plans. The remainder of uninsured adults would not qualify for either: 11 percent earn below 100 percent of poverty and live in a state that did not expand Medicaid;5 8 percent have incomes at or above 400 percent of poverty and are ineligible for the tax credits; and 25 percent were foreign-born Latinos and may be ineligible for Medicaid or subsidized plans because of their immigration status.


New York City, November 12, 2003—Nearly two of five (38%) Americans under age 65, and more than two-thirds (68%) of those with low incomes, had no health insurance at some point during 1996-1999, according to a new analysis for The Commonwealth Fund of a survey that tracks coverage over time. The number of people with a time uninsured during these four years—85 million—is more than double the number who were uninsured at any one point in time or any one year during 1996 to 1999. The longer view provided by the four-year time period reveals that unstable insurance put millions more at risk than the numbers estimated from annual "snapshots" by year. These higher rates are due to millions of people cycling on and off coverage, or "churning." [...] "These high rates uninsured indicate that far greater numbers of Americans are at risk of going without needed health care, having difficulties paying medical bills, and experiencing financial stress than we see in any annual survey," said Cathy Schoen, vice president at The Commonwealth Fund. "Insurance churning disrupts and undermines efforts to provide timely medical care and likely raises public and private health insurance costs due to frequent cycling on and off coverage." [...] Churning on and off coverage was a frequent problem. One third of all those with a time uninsured—28 million people—had multiple spells without insurance as they gained and lost coverage over time. Nearly two of five (38%) of those living on low incomes had more than one time when they were uninsured.


"We have 85 million Americans who have no health insurance," Sanders said Dec. 11 on CNN’s "State of the Union." [...] Casca referred us to a 2022 survey by the Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation that is a respected source of health care research. The survey found that 43% of working-age adults 19 to 64, or about 85 million Americans, were uninsured or inadequately insured. Specifically: [...] Sanders’ spokesperson referred us to data from the Commonwealth Fund that found about 85 million Americans ages 19 to 64 were uninsured or inadequately insured (meaning they had a gap in coverage over the past year or coverage that didn’t provide affordable access to health care).


“Violent crime was up under Donald Trump.”

After dropping the first three years of Donald Trump’s presidency, violent crime rose in 2020, his final year in office. The increase was big enough to erase those collective decreases. The violent crime rate in Trump’s final year in office was still slightly lower than it was during the final year of his predecessor, President Barack Obama. Experts said it’s wrong to pin the blame for rising violent crime solely on Trump. The spike was caused by a confluence of the coronavirus pandemic and societal upheaval after George Floyd’s 2020 murder.


But what about Walz’s assertion that "violent crime was up under Donald Trump," which Walz repeated in an Aug. 7 speech in Eau Claire, Wis.? The newly minted vice presidential candidate has a point, but it needs some asterisks. [...] But in 2020, the violent crime rate spiked to 385.2 per 100,000 people — higher than any previous year under Trump. [...] Walz said, "Violent crime was up under Donald Trump."


Children ages 5 to 9 “are not affected by” the coronavirus.

Most children who get COVID-19 have mild or no symptoms; severe illness is rare. More than 3.6 million children in the U.S. have tested positive, and at least 297 have died. Children can spread the virus to others, even if they don’t have symptoms, which is a key reason for mask requirements in schools.


In Pompano Beach, Florida, Somali immigrants illegally in the U.S. were in line to get driver’s licenses and “all you need to vote is a driver's license.”

"BREAKING! 100s of illegal migrants in line to get drivers licenses???" read a screengrab of an X post that overlaid the video on Instagram. "Isn’t that all you need to be able to vote? 1955 N Federal Hwy, Pompano Beach, FL." [...] Florida doesn’t issue driver’s licenses to immigrants in the U.S. illegally, unlike some states. And people must be U.S. citizens to vote in federal elections. A small number of Democratic-led cities let certain noncitizens vote in municipal elections, but cities in Florida are not among them. Nothing in the video proved that the people in line were Somalis or immigrants illegally in the U.S. [...] A video shared on social media claimed to show Somali immigrants in line to get driver’s licenses in Pompano Beach and said, "All you need to vote is a driver’s license."


Florida does not allow immigrants in the U.S. illegally to obtain driver’s licenses. Only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections. The Florida Department of Motor Vehicles office pictured in this video was the subject of a news report about long wait times.


The post continues: "HAVV allows voters to register with a Social Security Number (4 digits). Illegals are not able to get licenses there. But they can get Social Security cards (for work authorization permits)." HAVV is the SSA’s Help America Vote Verification system. [...] Individuals in most states register to vote with either their driver’s license number, state ID number or the last four digits of their social security number. States use the first two options to verify the individual’s identity with their department of motor vehicles. This accounts for "the vast majority" of voters, according to Becker. A voter’s identity can be verified using the third option through the SSA’s HAVV system. [...] Federal law bans noncitizens from voting in federal elections, including races for president, vice president, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The 1996 law states that noncitizens who vote illegally will face a fine, imprisonment or both. Noncitizens who cast a ballot and get caught may also face deportation.


China “had the largest naval fleet in the world. They had 370 ships. They'll have 400 ships in two years. We won't even have 350 ships in two decades."

There is speculation that China might have surpassed the U.S. in having the largest navy in the world and now has more battleships in operation. This came after a 2015 report from the US Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) predicted that China’s navy would have over 360 ships by 2020, surpassing the U.S.’s 297 ships. According to an ONI report from December 2020, China does now have the largest navy in the world in terms of ships in its fleet, as the report stated that the People’s Republic of China is "Already commanding the world’s largest naval force." In addition to its aggressive growth, the nation is also modernizing its ships: "the PRC is building modern surface combatants, submarines, aircraft carriers, fighter jets, amphibious assault ships, ballistic nuclear missile submarines, large coast guard cutters, and polar icebreakers at alarming speed." [...] China’s capacity to build the world’s largest navy is greatly helped by the country also being the world’s largest commercial shipbuilder, in 2018 holding over 40% of the global market, as pointed out by the China Power Project. The statistics themselves are shocking, with China building more ships in 2019 in peacetime than the U.S. did during four years of war between 1941 and 1945, according to CNN.


And then you look at the fact we’ve had more Americans die of fentanyl than the Iraq, Afghanistan, and Vietnam Wars combined. 75,000 Americans last year alone. There are Chinese police stations throughout our country. There’s a Chinese spy base that’s going off our shores in Cuba, and China’s now building up their military at a scary pace. They have 500 nuclear warheads. That’s a hundred more than they had last year. We won’t even have 350 ships in two decades. They’re doing artificial intelligence, they’re doing space, they’re doing cyber. They’ve developed hypersonic missiles. We’ve barely gotten started. And now China’s the lead developer on neuro-strike weapons, weapons engineered to change the brain activity of military commanders and segments of the population. That’s who we’re dealing with. So when Biden tells you that China’s a competitor, I’ve dealt with China every single day at the United Nations. They never saw us as a competitor. They always saw us as an enemy. We’ve got to start looking at them the way they look at us.


"The Postal Service is not losing money because of Amazon. It’s losing money because in 2006, the Republican-led Congress passed a law forcing it to prepay its pensions for 75 years, which no other corporation does ... Without this law, the Postal Service would be turning a profit.”

There’s also some confusion over whether the Postal Service was forced to prepay benefits "for 75 years," as the Facebook post said. The language of the law doesn’t mention 75 years, and Partenheimer said the Postal Service has not used that timeframe to describe the requirement. [...] A Facebook post said: "The Postal Service is not losing money because of Amazon. The Postal Service isn’t losing money from its deal with Amazon. But the 2006 law requiring the pre-funding of health benefits for future retirees — not pensions — has put a financial strain on the Postal Service and hurt its ability to turn a profit in some recent years.


"We put $330 million in general school aids — the largest in more than a decade."

The 2019-2021 budget allocated an additional $329,942,000 — a 3.5% increase — for general school aid. That’s the biggest increase in spending for that pot of money since the 2005-2007 budget.


“Elon Musk backs Caitlin Clark, offers $10 million endorsement.”

This claim originated on a self-described satire site.


Elon Musk Backs Caitlin Clark, Offers $10 Million Endorsement: "I Support You, Caitlin Clark" [...] The $10 million endorsement from Musk is a game-changer for Caitlin Clark. Financially, it provides her with substantial resources to invest in her career, support her family, and engage in philanthropic activities. Beyond the financial benefits, the endorsement significantly raises her profile, linking her name with one of the most influential figures in the world. [...] Elon Musk’s $10 million endorsement of Caitlin Clark is a landmark moment in the world of sports endorsements. It highlights the growing influence of tech entrepreneurs in the sports industry and underscores the importance of supporting and recognizing talent across different fields. For Caitlin Clark, the endorsement is a testament to her hard work, talent, and potential, providing her with the resources and visibility to further her career and make a positive impact on and off the court.


Claims Elon Musk endorsed Caitlin Clark originated on satire site [...] "Elon Musk backs Caitlin Clark, offers $10 million endorsement: ‘I support you, Caitlin Clark,’" a recent Facebook post said. [...] We found no evidence, such as credible news stories or public statements, that Musk has pledged money to Clark.


Says President Donald “Trump promised 13,000 new jobs to the people of #Wisconsin. 3 years later, we’re still waiting…”

For nearly three years, President Trump has touted a plan to build a huge high-tech manufacturing plant in Wisconsin. But the much-hyped effort hasn't gone quite as planned. Two and a half years ago, President Trump boasted of a plan to build a huge high-tech manufacturing plant in Wisconsin. It was for Taiwan-based electronics giant Foxconn. They originally promised up to 13,000 new jobs, but it has not gone as planned. Here's Chuck Quirmbach of member station WUWM in Milwaukee. [...] KIM MAHONEY: They're not creating the jobs that they promised. And Racine has lost tons of manufacturing jobs over the last 30 years, and that's what the draw was, was to bring those manufacturing jobs back to southeastern Wisconsin. And that's not happening, it doesn't appear.


Foxconn doesn’t keep its promises. Foxconn has a history of leaving others at the altar when they don’t deliver high enough on the dowry. In 2013, Pennsylvania offered $30 million to create 500 jobs there. There was fanfare not unlike the breathlessness of Scott Walker this week here. But the Pennsylvania plant never happened. And Foxconn will disappoint you wherever you are in the world. They’ve come up short in Vietnam and Brazil too. It’s entirely possible that Foxconn will use the Wisconsin deal as the baseline for the extortion of other states that dare to go higher. Two hundred and thirty thousand per job. The $3 billion in taxpayer handouts to Foxconn would come out to $230,000 per job even if they keep their promise and create a total of 13,000 jobs here over 15 years. That’s an average subsidy of $15,000 to $19,000 per job per year. That makes Wisconsin a world class sucker because the average nationally for similar projects is all of $2,500 per job. There’s desperate and then there’s pathetic. Have we no self-respect at all? Guess not.


Speaking of an HIV outbreak in Indiana during his time as governor, says “we immediately deployed health resources.”

An HIV "epidemic" fueled by needle-sharing opiate addicts has infected at least 72 people in one southern Indiana county as Gov. Mike Pence plans to declare a public health emergency in that community on Thursday. The outbreak's swift acceleration in Scott County — beginning with seven known HIV-positive patients in late January — has prompted state officials to ask the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to deploy investigators to test residents and to help control further spread of the virus, Pence said. [...] Related: Report: Prescription drug abuse linked to HIV outbreak in Indiana


“When I came into office, Iran had $70 billion in foreign exchange reserves. … By the time I left, they had nothing. They were broke.”

Trump’s numbers are off — Iran’s reserves were larger than he states and did not drop to zero — but he’s on point about the plummeting trend line. Iran’s foreign currency reserves fell from $128 billion in 2015 to $15 billion in 2019, which represents an even more dramatic decline in absolute dollars than Trump said. This decline is widely believed to be a consequence of the tightened U.S. sanctions under Trump and it has not reversed to any significant degree since.


Chris Christie stated on December 13, 2023 in a town hall in Londonderry, New Hampshire: Under the Trump administration's trade deal, "China's only fulfilled one-third of the promises of agricultural products that they were supposed to buy from our farmers." Nikki Haley stated on November 28, 2023 in an event in Derry, N.H.: China "had the largest naval fleet in the world. They had 370 ships. They'll have 400 ships in two years. We won't even have 350 ships in two decades." Ron DeSantis stated on October 24, 2023 in a town hall in New Hampshire: "The Republicans and Trump funded $400 million in March of 2020 for mail ballots." Donald Trump stated on October 23, 2023 in remarks at a rally in Derry, N.H.: "When I came into office, Iran had $70 billion in foreign exchange reserves. … By the time I left, they had nothing. Vivek Ramaswamy stated on October 18, 2023 in a press gaggle in New Hampshire: "Russia has hypersonic missile capabilities ahead of that of the U.S." Chris Sununu stated on June 26, 2018 in an interview: "Every time they’ve done those border patrols, they’ve taken out people who have trafficked drugs. [...] Donald Trump stated on October 23, 2023 in remarks at a rally in Derry, N.H.: "When I came into office, Iran had $70 billion in foreign exchange reserves. … By the time I left, they had nothing.


“Wisconsin had over 1,400 opioid overdose deaths in 2022.”

Yes, there were over 1,400 opioid-related deaths in Wisconsin in 2022 [...] "Wisconsin had over 1400 opioid deaths in 2022," she said. [...] Baldwin claimed Wisconsin had over 1,400 opioid deaths in Wisconsin in 2022.


In 2021, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services found synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl, caused 91% of opioid deaths. In May, the department announced $18 million in new funding for drug abuse treatment and prevention, including fentanyl. Wisconsin’s synthetic opioid crisis worsened in recent years. Provisional data from DHS shows there were 1,358 opioid overdose or poisoning deaths in 2022, a slight decrease from 2021 but still a 62% increase from five years ago. [...] "Fentanyl is more potent than morphine and heroin and the leading cause of overdose deaths in 2021," said a statement attributed to Fitzgerald, who passed similar legislation while in the Wisconsin state Senate. "Too many families are losing loved ones to drug overdoses fueled by fentanyl."


In 2022, there were over 1,400 opioid-related deaths in Wisconsin, many of them tied to fentanyl, according to a February 2024 PolitiFact. [...] PolitiFact, "Yes, there were over 1,400 opioid-related deaths in Wisconsin in 2022", Feb. 6, 2024 [...] Milwaukee Police Department, "Operating Policies: Controlled Substances," March 13, 2024


Quotes Sen. Mitt Romney as saying: “The Merrick Garland decision wasn’t unfair & the notion that someone has to pay the price to make up for it is wrong.”

What Happened With Merrick Garland In 2016 And Why It Matters Now So much has happened in the past two years that many may have forgotten what happened to Merrick Garland in the spring of 2016. [...] So it was safer, in the judgments of spring and summer 2016, to let the Republicans look intransigent and unfair and hope somebody noticed. Perhaps the injustice to Garland would help Democrats win seats in supposedly blue states such as Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, and even red ones such as Missouri and North Carolina.


"Samsung drops out of $1 billion advertising campaign with Olympics."

Samsung Officially Kicks-Off Olympic and Paralympic Campaign in Final Countdown to Paris 2024 Samsung releases ’Open always wins’ campaign and opens new Olympic Showcase, Olympic™ rendezvous @ Samsung, in the heart of Paris [...] Samsung has been a Worldwide Olympic Partner since the Olympic Winter Games Nagano 1998. For over 25 years, athletes and fans have trusted Samsung’s transformative mobile technology to share the Olympic spirit globally and continue to shape the digital future of the Olympic Games for Paris 2024 and beyond. The company’s commitment to the Olympic Movement soon faces its fourth decade of partnership and extends through Los Angeles 2028. Samsung’s purposeful innovations in the wireless communications and computing equipment category, including equipment that features artificial intelligence, virtual reality, augmented reality and 5G will change the way the world experiences the Olympic Games.


Baby boomers didn’t have autism, seizures, allergies and other ailments when they were kids.

Today’s childhood diseases and ailments also existed when baby boomers were kids, though in some cases, the rates of such illnesses have increased.


Supporting the Age Wave: Baby Boomers and Autism Since 2010, baby boomers in the United States have been turning 65 at the rate of approximately 10,000 a day. Some of these new baby boomers are people with autism. At the same time, over 3.5 million adults with autism and other developmental disabilities are living with family members. In nearly 25 percent of these households, the family caregivers are over 60 years of age. During Autism Acceptance month, we should address the challenges that the age wave creates for people with autism and their family members.


This pattern did not occur in the group of 46 people who didn’t have autism. Whether this tendency to extract rules is a "worsening" of autism symptoms or a general trend among all older people is not yet clear.


“Classified documents can never be taken out of a (sensitive compartmented information facility), ever.”

There are scenarios in which classified documents can be removed from a sensitive compartmented information facility, also known as a SCIF. It’s a physical space that meets intelligence community protocols that allows officials with the proper security clearance to study classified documents. [...] Referring to Biden’s handling of materials with classified markings, Fitzpatrick cited his experience as an FBI special agent and a federal prosecutor, and said: "Classified documents can never be taken out of a SCIF, ever." [...] This is exaggerated. SCIFs must be used when documents with the highest-level classifications have to be reviewed. But even the most highly classified documents can be taken out of a SCIF, as long as specific precautions are taken that ensure similar levels of security.


There are scenarios in which classified documents can be removed from a sensitive compartmented information facility, also known as a SCIF. It’s a physical space that meets intelligence community protocols that allows officials with the proper security clearance to study classified documents. Sensitive compartmented information facilities are used typically for materials categorized as "top secret/sensitive compartmented information." There are differing levels of classified documents, with escalating levels of security clearances required to view them. Not all classified documents must be viewed in a SCIF.


The United States had 589 coal-fired plants 10 years ago, and “we're down to 504. … We are the only nation that has reduced our reliance (on) coal energy."

Reductions in coal consumption have been driven in large part by non-climate factors, most notably environmental regulations to address air pollution, rapidly declining costs of renewables, and lower natural gas prices, especially inexpensive unconventional gas in the USA. (Culver and Hong 2016; Diluiso et al.2021; Vinichenko et al. 2021). Older coal-fired power plants that cannot meet new environmental regulations, or have become unprofitable or uncompetitive, have been closed in many regions. Moreover, coal power expansion has slowed down in Asia, as countries have suspended and cancelled new projects for reasons such as overcapacity, environmental constraints, and the development of renewables (Box 6.2).


“Kamala cast the tie breaking vote to hire 87,000 new IRS agents to go after your tip income.”

Mike Palicz, director of tax policy at the conservative advocacy group Americans for Tax Reform, tweeted Feb. 7: "Those 87,000 new IRS agents that you were promised would only target the rich… They’re coming after waitresses’ tips now: ‘monitoring of employer compliance based on actual annual tip revenue and charge tip data from an employer’s point-of-sale system.’" [...] PolitiFact previously fact-checked claims citing the "87,000 IRS agents" figure, which stems from a 2021 assessment from the Treasury Department on how it would use $80 billion in new funding from the Inflation Reduction Act. The report said the funding could pay for 86,852 new full-time equivalent positions and that the hiring would take place over a 10-year period. [...] Mike Palicz claimed that 87,000 IRS agents will now be "coming after waitresses’ tips," after the IRS announced a new service industry tip reporting program.


Vice President Kamala Harris cast the tiebreaking vote in the Senate in 2022 to pass the Inflation Reduction Act. That bill gave an additional $80 billion to the Internal Revenue Service. A 2021 Treasury Department report said that the IRS would use money to hire about 87,000 new workers over a decade. But they were not all for enforcement. And it did not plan to increase audits for households earning less than $400,000. In 2023, the IRS proposed a new tip reporting program for service industry employers to report tips voluntarily to aid tax compliance. It was structured to replace preexisting programs but was never adopted.


A Phoenix TV station aired the election results more than a week early.

A Detroit TV station’s airing of "The Bachelorette" featured a sidebar that appeared to be showing results from the 2020 election a week before Election Day. [...] And, for some watchers in the Detroit area, the Oct. 27 episode also appeared to preview the results for the 2020 presidential election and other contests in Michigan. "2020 election results air a week early!" said the caption on one YouTube video viewed more than 95,000 times. [...] A YouTube video said a broadcast of ABC’s "The Bachelorette" showed the 2020 election results a week early.


“Overdose deaths in WV are up 45% from the prior year.”

More West Virginians died of drug overdoses in 2020 than in any previous year on record, according to new data showing the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on the addiction crisis. At least 1,275 West Virginians died of an overdose in 2020 — a 45% increase from the 878 deaths in 2019, according to the preliminary data. And because the data could still be updated, the actual number of deaths is likely higher. [...] Overdose death rates have risen nationally, largely due to the pandemic that has left people isolated and cut off from support services. But from 2019 to 2020, West Virginia saw one of the largest increases in overdose deaths in the country.


“Texas ranks 3rd highest among states for the number of people who have recovered from” the coronavirus.

Looking just at the cumulative recovery statistics from the available states — 14 states have not published current data on recoveries — Texas ranks third. But it is important to note that there are many different definitions of what constitutes a recovery. For example, the Texas figure is an estimate based on hospitalizations and recovery times. Given the size of Texas' population, it makes sense to compare recovery statistics as a rate, as opposed to looking at the cumulative recoveries. Looking at the percentage of recoveries per positive coronavirus test, Texas ranks 16th among the states that have published data.


There, public health officials count as recovered any COVID-19 patient who is still alive 30 days after testing positive for the virus. On Sunday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted that more people in his state had recovered from COVID-19 than had been newly diagnosed with it over the last two days. [...] In Abbott's state, the Department of State Health Services reports daily on the number of cumulative COVID-19 cases in the state, and estimated numbers of active cases and of patients who have recovered from the virus.


“Pete Buttigieg is a favorite candidate of Wall Street and the health care industry.”

If the health care sector is broadly defined, Bernie Sanders leads the Democratic presidential primary field in terms of donations. Buttigieg leads in terms of campaign contributions from pharmaceutical companies as well as health services and HMOs, a classification that includes large insurance companies. When contributions to leadership political action committees are considered, Biden has the highest donation total from the pharmaceutical and health products sector.


“Netflix loses 6 million subscribers within hours of donation announcement.”

Netflix loses almost a million subscribers [...] "Netflix's subscriber loss was expected but it remains a sore point for a company that is wholly dependent on subscription revenue from consumers," said Insider Intelligence analyst Ross Benes. [...] Shares climbed more than 7% in after-hours trade on relief that the losses were not larger. The firm had warned it could lose as many as two million subscribers.


SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Netflix suffered its first subscriber loss in more than a decade, causing its shares to plunge 25 percent in extended trading amid concerns that the pioneering streaming service may have already seen its best days. The company’s customer base fell by 200,000 subscribers during the January-March period, according to its quarterly earnings report released Tuesday. It’s the first time that Netflix’s subscribers have fallen since the streaming service became available throughout most of the world outside of China six years ago. The drop this year stemmed in part from Netflix’s decision to withdraw from Russia to protest the war against Ukraine, resulting in a loss of 700,000 subscribers. READ MORE: Netflix tests a possible password-sharing crackdown Netflix acknowledged its problems are deep rooted by projecting a loss of another 2 million subscribers during the April-June period. If the stock drop extends into Wednesday’s regular trading session, Netflix shares will have lost more than half of their value so far this year — wiping out about $150 billion in shareholder wealth in less than four months.


“When we discovered, I discovered, that we were doing many, many, too many stop and frisks, we cut 95% of it out.”

Photo by Kevin Lamarque/Reuters. ___ STOP AND FRISK DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MIKE BLOOMBERG, on the stop-and-frisk policing policy when he was New York mayor: "What happened, however, was it got out of control and when we discovered — I discovered — that we were doing many, many, too many stop and frisks, we cut 95% of them out." — Democratic debate Wednesday. THE FACTS: He’s misrepresenting how stop and frisk declined. That happened because of a court order, not because Bloomberg learned that it was being overused. In Bloomberg’s first 10 years in office, the number of stop-and-frisk actions increased nearly 600% from when he took office in 2002, reaching a peak of nearly 686,000 stops in 2011. That declined to about 192,000 documented stops in 2013, his final year as mayor. Bloomberg achieved his claim of a 95% cut by cherry-picking the quarterly high point of 203,500 stops in the first quarter of 2012 and comparing that with the 12,485 stops in the last quarter of 2013.


Biden called the stop and frisks 'abhorrent' and the former mayor admitted that it 'got out of control'. 'When we discovered – I discovered – that we were doing many, many – too many – stop and frisks, we cut 95 per cent of it out,' Bloomberg asserted. [...] 'Let's get something straight. The reason that stop and frisk changed is because Barack Obama sent moderators to see what was going on. When we sent them there to say "this practice has to stop," the mayor thought it was a terrible idea we send them there – a terrible idea,' Biden said, invoking the name of one of the most famous Democrats.


“Wisconsin is 49th in public health spending.”

Wisconsin did rank 49th in the nation in the amount of federal funds spent on public health during the previous fiscal year, receiving $18.65 per resident for U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention programs. [...] "(Wisconsin) is 49th in public health spending," Erpenbach tweeted. "We just had a pandemic and will be vulnerable to the next one because Republicans are not investing in public health." [...] In a retort about the state budget, Erpenbach said Wisconsin ranks 49th in the nation in public health spending.


“This year, it's going to be over $1.5 trillion (that we’ve) reduced the debt."

Devin LeMahieu stated on January 3, 2023 in Senate address "In 2010, (Wisconsin Republicans) inherited a multi-Billion dollar deficit … Today we are looking at a projected surplus approaching 7 Billion." Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stated on January 27, 2023 in an interview with reporters "The largest contributor to the debt ceiling, or to our deficit, has been the Trump tax cuts." Occupy Democrats stated on January 12, 2023 in a Facebook post "Social Security has nothing to do with the deficit or the national debt." Joe Biden stated on September 18, 2022 in an interview with CBS' "60 Minutes" "This year, it's going to be over $1.5 trillion (that we’ve) reduced the debt." Janet Yellen stated on July 24, 2022 in an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press" "We've cut the deficit by a record $1.5 trillion this year." Joe Biden stated on May 10, 2022 in remarks at the White House "My Treasury Department is planning to pay down the national debt this quarter, which never happened under my predecessor." Lindsey Graham stated on December 12, 2021 in an interview on Fox News Sunday "The CBO says (the Build Back Better Act) is $3 trillion of deficit spending." [...] Joe Biden stated on September 18, 2022 in an interview with CBS' "60 Minutes" "This year, it's going to be over $1.5 trillion (that we’ve) reduced the debt."


Often, administration officials cite today’s historically low unemployment rate. On occasion, they’ve touted progress on reducing the federal deficit. During an appearance on NBC’s "Meet the Press," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said, "We've cut the deficit by a record $1.5 trillion this year." [...] "While I welcome deficit reduction, the $1.5 trillion was off of enormous deficits," Ellis said. "It lacks a certain context." [...] Yellen said, "We've cut the deficit by a record $1.5 trillion this year."


The Congressional Budget Office’s latest projection shows that the deficit is about $1.7 trillion lower now than it was in 2021. However, this large decrease is because of an unusual historical circumstance — the expiration of large, temporary programs related to coronavirus pandemic relief. The federal debt is not lower today than it had been. Instead, it has not gone up as fast as it would have otherwise.


Black Lives Matter protesters outside the White House faced a more militarized response than rioters who assaulted the Capitol.

In remarks to Ohio reporters, Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said there was a big difference in police response between what Black Lives Matter protesters faced and what riotous Trump supporters encountered at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. In the summer, "peaceful Black protesters outside the White House were met with tear gas, rubber bullets, a full militarized response," Brown said Jan. 8. "While this week, white supremacists, rioters were able to breach the Capitol." [...] On the afternoon of May 29, the Black Lives Matter protest movement arrived in Washington, D.C. About 1,000 people gathered in a park across the street from the White House. The confrontation between police and protesters grew more tense. At about 3 a.m., a line of officers in riot gear with shields advanced and deployed chemical irritants to disperse the crowd.


But many have been quick to point out the differences between the police responses to the mostly white mob that stormed the Capitol and Black organizers who have called for the end of police brutality and over-policing in communities of color. Summer protests following the police killing of George Floyd last May were met with aggressive police action, including mass arrests, surveillance, and the use of rubber bullets, batons and flash-bang grenades. On June 1, 2020, during the height of last summer’s protests, D.C. Metropolitan police made more than 300 "unrest-related" arrests, according to police data. "No one can tell me that if it had been a group of Black Lives Matter protesters yesterday that they wouldn’t have been treated very, very differently than the mob of thugs that stormed the Capitol yesterday," Biden said in a speech on Thursday. Ronnette Cox, 35, a New York City-based activist, recalled being pepper-sprayed and pushed on several occasions by law enforcement this summer. "I still remember the stinging," she said, noting the frustration she felt seeing police officers escort white rioters out of the Capitol, knowing how they had responded to herself and other Black protesters during largely peaceful gatherings.


At the earliest encounters between police and Black Lives Matter protesters in D.C., officers were ready with full riot gear, shields and chemical agents. Capitol Police in regular uniforms were the first line of defense when Trump supporters marched on the Capitol. Federal officials were quick to see fires and looting in other cities as signs of pending violence, but ignored evidence of planned attacks by Trump supporters.


“In April last year, our state unemployment rate hit a record low of 2.4%. Last year, Wisconsin had an all-time lowest number of unemployed workers ever in modern history.”

During Gov. Evers’ tenure, Wisconsin’s unemployment rate has hit record lows, reaching an all-time low of 2.4 percent in April 2023, and Wisconsin continues to have an unemployment rate below the national average and a labor participation rate above the national average. [...] Still, with historically low unemployment and high workforce participation, coupled with a shrinking labor pool caused by several long-term factors, Wisconsin’s small businesses, farmers and producers, hospitals and healthcare sectors, schools, and other critical employers and industries continue to face significant challenges filling available jobs. Throughout the year, Gov. Evers and his administration will continue efforts to reduce barriers to employment, support opportunities for advancement through Wisconsin’s leading apprenticeship programs, and recruit and retain talented workers to support critical industries of Wisconsin’s workforce. In coordination with his declaration of 2024 as the Year of the Worker, Gov. Evers announced several new initiativesto help address recruitment and retention of Wisconsin’s workforce, including targeted initiatives for careers in education and healthcare—two industries that have particularly struggled to recruit and retain talent.


Wisconsin hit its lowest unemployment rate of 2.4% in April 2023. That is the lowest unemployment rate from available U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data dating back to 1976. April’s low rate beat the previous record of 2.5% which was set just a month prior in March 2023.


In Georgia, it's "illegal to give people water within 150 feet of a polling place" and "punishable by up to a year in prison."

The law makes it a misdemeanor to give away food or water within 150 feet of the outer edge of a polling place building or within 25 feet of any voter in line. Violations of this law are punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. While people other than poll workers can give away food or water, they have to adhere to these boundaries to avoid breaking the law. [...] Keith Williams, general counsel to Republican House Speaker David Ralston, told PolitiFact: "Any individual other than a worker at a polling place is prohibited from handing out water, etc., within 150 feet of a polling place or within 25 feet of the line." [...] SB 202 makes it a crime for people — and not just people from political organizations — to hand out food or bottles of water within 150 feet of a polling place or 25 feet of any voter standing in line.


The commercial’s two-part claim — that it's "illegal to give people water within 150 feet of a polling place" and doing so is "punishable by up to a year in prison" — is accurate. [...] The Liquid Death beverage company said in an ad that in Georgia, it's "illegal to give people water within 150 feet of a polling place" and "punishable by up to a year in prison." A 2021 Georgia law does prohibit people from giving water within 150 feet of a polling place, and violators face up to 12 months in jail.


Giving water to voter within 150 feet of Georgia polling place is punishable by up to a year in jail [...] The commercial’s two-part claim — that it's "illegal to give people water within 150 feet of a polling place" and doing so is "punishable by up to a year in prison" — is accurate. [...] The Liquid Death beverage company said in an ad that in Georgia, it's "illegal to give people water within 150 feet of a polling place" and "punishable by up to a year in prison."


“A few years back,” Mitchell Stadium in Bluefield, W.Va., “was voted the best high school football field in America.”

Nestled in the beautiful mountains on the West Virginia-Virginia border is historic Mitchell Stadium, which won the title of "Best High School Football Stadium" in America by USA Today High School Sports last year. [...] Mitchell Stadium is home to both the Bluefield, West Virginia Beavers and the Bluefield, Virginia-based Graham G-Men. It makes for one of the county's top high school rivalries. [...] That's easy to understand for many reasons, including a chance to coach at the best high school football stadium in America.


Mitchell Stadium of Bluefield, West Virginia, is the winner of the America’s Best High School Football Stadiums contest by USA Today High School Sports. The contest seeded the top 16 high school football stadiums in the country, which included Mitchell at the 13th seed, and then allowed fans to vote online to decide the winner of each matchup. Mitchell defeated the fourth seeded Paul Brown Tiger Stadium of Massillon, Ohio, in the first round. In the second round, Mitchell topped the fifth seeded Round Valley Ensphere of Eagar, Arizona. Mitchell beat out the 16th seeded Stadium Bowl of Tacoma, Washington, in the semifinal round. And in the final round, Mitchell received more votes than 10th seeded R.R. Jones Stadium in El Paso, Texas, to be named America’s Best High School Football Stadium. [...] Having Mitchell Stadium named America’s Best High School Stadium is not only an accomplishment for Bluefield, but for the entire state of West Virginia. The contest gave West Virginia high school football a chance to gain national recognition, by having one of its stadiums beat out some of the country’s other top high school football facilities.


Mitchell Stadium is a 10,000 seat stadium in Bluefield, West Virginia.[1] It was built by the Works Progress Administration in 1935, and is located in Bluefield's city park that straddles the West Virginia–Virginia state line. [...] America's Best High School Football Stadium [edit]On November 4, 2019, Mitchell Stadium was selected as "America's Best High School Football Stadium" in a poll conducted by USA Today. Mitchell Stadium prevailed in a bracket-type poll which began with a field of sixteen stadiums located throughout the United States. Mitchell Stadium's opponents were: first round - Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, Massillon, Ohio; second round - Round Valley Ensphere, Eagar, Arizona; third round - Stadium Bowl, Tacoma, Washington; and final round - R.R. Jones Stadium, El Paso, Texas. In the final round, Mitchell earned nearly 60% of the final round vote, receiving a total of 2,149,143 votes to R.R. Jones’ 1,515,558 votes.[4] Bluefield, West Virginia Mayor Ron Martin told the Bluefield Daily Telegraph that "This victory is a result of hillbilly voodoo." [5] [...] - ^ Telegraph, GREG JORDAN Bluefield Daily (November 5, 2019). "Mitchell No. 1 in Nation: Stadium wins USA Today Best High School Stadium poll". Bluefield Daily Telegraph. Retrieved November 5, 2019.


As it is outlined in a 900-page document titled "Mandate for Leadership," Project 2025 includes no proposal to eliminate same-sex marriage. The document refers to heterosexual families as "ideal" and calls for the protection of faith-based federal grant recipients who do not support same-sex marriage. Project 2025 is a "presidential transition project" led by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Its contributors include a number of former Trump administration advisers, but former President Donald Trump has sought to distance himself from the plan. He has not advocated banning same-sex marriage during his 2024 presidential campaign.


This assault on civil rights is one plank of Project 2025, a transition plan spearheaded by the Heritage Foundation — a right-wing think tank — for the next Republican president. Trump hasn’t officially co-signed, but many of his associates are authors. [...] LGBTQ issues: Project 2025 seeks to ramp up the assault on LGBTQ rights and wipe out certain federal protections for queer Americans. This entails, as the policy agenda puts it, ending the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ "foray into woke transgender activism" by scrubbing the acknowledgment of gender and sexual identity from "every federal rule, agency regulation, contract, grant, regulation, and piece of legislation that exists," criminalizing classroom instruction on LGBTQ experiences, and eroding vital medical coverage for transgender Americans. [...] Civil rights: As mentioned above, Project 2025 calls for shifting the attention of the U.S. Department of Justice to quashing the supposed menace of "anti-white racism" by abolishing affirmative action policies. The policy agenda also calls for the next Republican administration to use the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division to "prosecute all state and local governments, institutions of higher education, corporations, and any other private employers" with affirmative action or DEI policies. And it demands that "voter registration fraud and unlawful ballot correction" be investigated by the DOJ’s Criminal Division instead of by its Civil Rights Division.


“Ron DeSantis is against fracking. He is against drilling”

Ron DeSantis "On day one, Ron DeSantis will advocate to the Florida Legislature to pass legislation that bans fracking in the state." [...] Even before he entered office, Gov. Ron DeSantis promised to urge Florida's Legislature to ban hydraulic fracturing, aka fracking, statewide. [...] Almost all of the action DeSantis took on fracking occurred shortly after he became governor. Just two days into his term, DeSantis issued an executive order with several water policy reforms and a line directing the Department of Environmental Protection to push to end all fracking in Florida.


Florida’s new governor, Ron DeSantis, announced several changes to water policy today. In an executive order, DeSantis made moves to ban hydraulic fracturing (fracking), dedicate money to Everglades restoration, fight algae blooms, appoint a Chief Science Officer and create an Office of Environmental Accountability and Transparency. [...] "Today – on Thursday January 10th – Governor Ron DeSantis put out a statement announcing that he is going to direct the state Department of Environmental Protection [DEP] to adamantly oppose and ban fracking statewide in Florida. We are very happy to see the governor fulfilling the promise that he made on the campaign trail to protect Florida’s water by banning fracking statewide." [...] "And so seeing the governor also taking a very strong stance against drilling is incredibly important because we’re seeing the Trump administration making moves to drill in the Gulf of Mexico as well as on our East Coast. So we need to make sure that Governor DeSantis is using his power as governor to not only ensure fracking ever occurs in State waters off of our coasts but also in Federal waters as well.


“Before the pandemic, just over 40,000 were on continuing UI claims. Now, there are well over 100,000 on state or federal UI benefits.”

Other changes in UI policy have also kept claims abnormally elevated deep into the recovery. Supplemental benefits of $300 per week (formerly $600) have given unemployed and underemployed workers unusually strong incentives to apply for UI. In addition, almost every state waived its usual job search requirements early in the pandemic. These waivers, most of which were still in effect earlier this year, have made UI benefits available to many individuals for whom caregiving responsibilities or fears of infection have complicated returning to work. [...] This dramatic shift in the UI claimant pool owes largely to the federal PUA program, which was created in March 2020 to provide benefits to classes of workers not covered by traditional UI.7 Because federal guidelines restrict PUA to those who are ineligible for regular UI, many states instruct benefit-seekers that they must apply (and be denied) for regular UI before they can apply for PUA. As a result, many self-employed workers and other atypical claimants have been counted towards both regular UI and PUA in successive weeks, even though initial claims for these two programs are tallied separately in government statistics.


Since the initial effects of the pandemic on the labor market, many media stories have reported the cumulative number of initial state UI claims as a measure of joblessness. However, this may be misleading since it undercounts claims for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).3 As a provision of the CARES Act, the PUA program extends UI benefits to jobless workers who are not typically eligible for regular UI. In practice, this means self-employed people, including independent contractors, "gig" workers, and those with insufficient work experience qualify. This group may be more likely to reflect claims by musicians and other cultural economy workers who are more likely to be self-employed, 4 as well as those with non-standard or part-time employment. [...] To provide a common reference point for sectors with different employment levels, total claims can be compared with pre-COVID-19 UI-based employment data from 2019.13 For the week ending June 6, the Louisiana Workforce Commission received three or more UI claims (initial and continued combined) for every 10 pre-COVID-19, UI-eligible employees in three sectors: Accommodation and Food Services; Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation; and "Other Services."14 Even outside of these extremes, nearly every industry sector has seen an exceptional scale of employment disruption.


“100 million ballots (Democrats) prefilled now have the wrong name.”

Just days before the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Twitter users began circulating a claim that residents of Queens Village, in the New York borough of Queens, were receiving ballots that had been already filled out for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and other Democratic candidates. The rumor appears to have originated with a video shared by freelance journalist Jake Novak: [...] But, it turned out, the ballot hadn't been "pre-filled" at all. As elections officials confirmed, it had been sent to the appropriate absentee voter in California, who indeed filled it in himself. However, that voter mistakenly used the wrong envelope when he placed his ballot in the mail, thereby sending it to his previous address in Queens rather than returning it to elections officials:


"Higher education is one of America's strongest export sectors. Over 1 million international students studied at American universities, (in the) 2018-19 school year. They contributed over $40 billion to the economy.”

A new Trump administration directive would bar foreign college students from staying in the U.S. if they take all their courses online. Hayes’ statistics are accurate. Education was the sixth largest U.S. service export in 2019, the International Trade Administration told PolitiFact.


Higher Education is America’s 10th Top Export, Injecting Over $40 Billion into the U.S. Economy [...] These international students make a substantial economic contribution, injecting over $40 billion into the U.S. economy and supporting more than 368,000 jobs. Their spending goes far beyond tuition, encompassing everything from housing rentals to food delivery services, and it’s nearing an all-time high. Higher education has become one of America’s top exports, ranking as the 10th-leading export according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. However, this "export" is, in reality, an import of international students who bring their financial resources into the U.S. economy.


Kamala Harris “supported abolishing ICE.”

The White House tweeted at Harris, writing, ".@SenKamalaHarris, why are you supporting the animals of MS-13? You must not know what ICE really does" with a link to a press release about ICE deporting a Salvadoran MS-13 affiliate, as well as an Irish national. [...] Kamala Harris of California "I think there’s no question that we’ve got to critically re-examine ICE and its role and the way that it is being administered and the work it is doing," she told MSNBC. "And we need to probably think about starting from scratch." Clarification: This story was updated to remove Sen. Kamala Harris from the list of Democrats calling for abolishing ICE and add her stance in a separate category of those calling for changes to the agency. Harris said the agency should be reexamined.


"Lyin’ Kamala supported abolishing ICE," Trump said July 24 at a Charlotte, North Carolina, campaign rally. [...] The Trump and Harris campaigns responded to our query about Trump’s rally claim with multiple citations of Harris statements; we found many more through our own research. There is no record of Harris saying she would "abolish ICE," a specific phrase that others like Ocasio-Cortez have used. And in 2019, when asked point-blank if she supports abolishing the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Harris said no. [...] Trump said Harris "supported abolishing ICE."


Due to U.S. Senate rules, Democrats need "more than a majority ... to codify Roe vs. Wade."

"If the Court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nation’s elected officials at all levels of government to protect a woman’s right to choose," Biden said. "And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November. At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law." [...] However, under longstanding Senate procedure, Democrats need more than a simple majority to pass legislation that codifies Roe into law. [...] NBC News, "Democrats push to codify Roe after leaked opinion. But they don’t have the votes," May 3, 2022 19th News, "The Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade, according to a draft opinion. Here’s what we know," May 2, 2022 19th News, "Why didn’t Congress codify abortion rights?" Jan. 26, 2022