Jordan Liles

Jordan Liles is a writer who has spent several years examining the rise in political misinformation and disinformation on social media.

This picture of Barack and Michelle Obama was doctored to give Michelle male features and pushed the debunked conspiracy theory that her name is Michael.

Doctored Christmas Photo of Michelle Obama Circulates Online

5 October 2022

A message to those users who shared this misleading picture with friends on Facebook: Reverse...

Fact Check

A photograph shows three windows holding back floodwaters from Hurricane Ian, according to Reddit.

Is This Photo of Windows Holding Back Hurricane Ian Floodwaters Real?

5 October 2022

A popular tweet with more than 300,000 likes showed a picture of three windows appearing...

Fact Check

Bill Gates made remarks about the future possibility of a civil war and a hung election, according to Forbes.

Did Bill Gates Say ‘Hung Election and Civil War’ Are Coming?

3 October 2022

According to Forbes, Gates said that "political polarization may bring it all to an end"...

Fact Check

Readers asked us to find the truth behind a viral, politically-charged Facebook post about John Deere, a midwest farmer, and electric farm equipment.

John Deere Addresses Viral Post About Electric Tractors

17 August 2022

A politically-charged Facebook post told the story of a Midwest farmer who was supposedly asked...

News

A Reddit post said that 79 people died in a bridge collapse in 1845 that happened because a large crowd had gathered to watch a clown in a bathtub be pulled up a river by four geese.

Did 79 Die in a Bridge Collapse While Watching a Clown’s Stunt?

23 September 2022

"It was just a mad publicity stunt, but as the clown and his geese paddled...

Fact Check

A TikTok video supposedly showed a garbage truck bursting into flames.

Is the ‘Garbage Truck Bursts into Flames’ Video Real?

23 September 2022

A video shows a garbage truck spewing a liquid and bursting into flames after pulling...

Fact Check

A man on TikTok claimed that he was charged more than $70k by DoorDash after exploiting a glitch.

Was a Man Charged $70K After Exploiting a DoorDash Glitch?

23 September 2022

According to the rumor, a man was charged more than $70,000 after DoorDash fixed a...

Fact Check

A rumor in TikTok videos says that King Charles III has security or bodyguards who use fake arms or hands to conceal guns or other rifles inside their clothing.

Does Video Show Charles’ Security with Fake Arms and Hands?

22 September 2022

A TikTok video with tens of millions of views claimed that "inanimate" hands were visible...

Fact Check

A bathroom incident that occurred at North Pole High School in Fairbanks Alaska in 2019 was reposted to Reddit without context in 2022.

North Pole High School Bathroom Incident: the Facts

11 January 2022

The story from 2019 found new life on Reddit in 2022.

News

A young boy raised $32,600 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital from donations received at his lemonade stand near the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota.

Did a Boy Raise $32K for St. Jude from Sturgis Lemonade Stand?

21 September 2022

A viral Facebook post told the story of a young boy who raised tens of...

Fact Check

Did Melania Trump Say ‘Who Gives a F*ck about Christmas Stuff’?

21 September 2022

The quote reportedly was featured in a secretly recorded discussion between Melania Trump and Stephanie...

Fact Check

A video claims to show a real, high-speed police chase in which a Porsche Cayenne SUV drives up a ramp to hide in the back of a truck.

Video of SUV Driving Up Truck Ramp To Escape Cops Is Digital Animation

21 September 2022

Creative visual effects artist and Instagram user @2ncs wasn't credited for the digital animation video...

Fact Check