Fight Misinformation Curiosity Practice from Dan Evon of The News Literacy Project #RumorGuard:
SLOW DOWN -- and ask "who took this picture?"
More tips here: lynnborton.com/2025/07/31/r...
3
3
0
0
Hashtag
#rumorguard
Advertisement · 728 × 90
As much as I champion #curiosity, sometimes it can take us down bad paths. Thank goodness there are excellent resources like @newslit.org #RumorGuard that help us lean into our curiosity to recognize #misinformation and stop it in its tracks.
lynnborton.com/2025/07/31/r... #newsliteracy
4
1
0
0
A screenshot of a TikTok video featuring an image of a firefly and the text, “The fact that were the last generation to experience fireflies.” The News Literacy Project has added a label that says “MISLEADING.”
❌ NO: The entire firefly population is not predicted to disappear.
✔️ YES: Firefly populations are declining in many areas due to habitat loss, light pollution, pesticides, and climate change. Some species face extinction, but not all.
🔗 #RumorGuard post: go.newslit.org/Fireflies
#NewsLiteracy
10
0
1
1
A social media post reads, “Trump refused to leave even after they were practically pushing him away so Chelsea photoshopped him out of their official trophy raising photo. Good move” and features two images of the Chelsea soccer team celebrating their victory: One that features Trump and one that does not. The News Literacy Project has added a label that says “FALSE.”
❌ NO: Chelsea FC did not remove President Trump from a trophy photo after its FIFA Club World Cup win Sunday.
✔️ Trump is visible in the background of the club’s official photo. The viral edit was created & shared by a social media user.
🔗 #RumorGuard post: go.newslit.org/ChelseaPic
#NewsLiteracy
6
1
0
1
A social media post reads, “Imagine being on this glass bridge when it starts collapse…” and features a video that appears to show a glass bridge collapsing after a woman drops a huge stone on the surface. The News Literacy Project has added a label that says “AI-GENERATED.”
❌ NO: This is not from a legit video of a glass bridge collapsing.
✔️ It's an #ArtificialIntelligence fake + part of a trend of AI-generated videos of glass bridges & viewing platforms collapsing - many of which have gone viral.
#RumorGuard post: go.newslit.org/GlassAI
7
3
0
0
A social media post reads, “BREAKING NEWS — June 18, 2025. Mysterious Multiple Water Sinkholes Emerge in Lake Superior, Trigger Global Scientific Alarm Between USA And Canada. Thunder Bay, Ontario — In an unprecedented and dramatic natural event, a series of massive aquatic sinkholes—some spanning over 50 meters in diameter—suddenly formed off the northern shoreline of Lake Superior early this morning, sending towering waves crashing against the rocky cliffs and triggering an immediate evacuation …” and includes several images that appear to show sinkholes on a body of water. The News Literacy Project has added a label that says “AI IMAGES.”
❌ NO: These are not real photos of large sinkholes on #LakeSuperior, near Thunder Bay, Ontario. They're AI fakes.
📰 One way to investigate such a falsehood is by checking for news coverage. A search for this "unprecedented" event turned up nothing.
🔗 #RumorGuard post: go.newslit.org/sinkholes
6
2
0
0
Free AI teaching guide from Newslit
#AI #newsliteracy
#rumorguard #checkology
@News Literacy Project
0
0
0
0
A TikTok post reads, “40 RUSSIAN STRATEGIC Bombers TU-95 Destroyed in Daring Ukrainian FPV-Drone Swarm Raid” and features a video that allegedly shows a military attack. The News Literacy Project has added a label that says “FALSE CONTEXT.”
❌ NO: This is not genuine footage of a military attack by #Ukraine on #Russia. The viral clip shows footage from the video game Arma 3.
⚠️ Video game footage is often repurposed & shared out of context.
#RumorGuard post: go.newslit.org/drone
7
4
0
0
#NewsLiteracy takeaway: Genuine news stories can get distorted when they start circulating on social media via accounts that prioritize clicks over facts.
3 tips to spot such viral falsehoods:
- stick to credible sources
- check the evidence
- practice reverse image searches
#RumorGuard post 👇🏾
6
1
0
0
A post from the @WHLeavitt account on X reads, “A mysterious shell company, allegedly tied to three Democratic senators, reportedly received $622 million in Ukraine war contracts. Should the DOGE investigate them immediately? A. yes B. No.” The News Literacy Project has added a label that says “PARODY.”
1/ ❌ NO: This is not a genuine post from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. It's from a parody account.
❌ There is also no evidence 3 Democratic senators got $622 million from Ukrainian war contracts via a shell company.
#RumorGuard post: go.newslit.org/ParodyAid
6
2
1
0
A social media post reads, “There’s a reason he deleted that” and includes an image that appears to show a 2012 post from President Donald Trump that reads, “If the Dow drops 1,000 points in two days the President should be impeached immediately!” The News Literacy Project has added a label that says “IMPOSTOR CONTENT.”
❌ NO: President Trump never said presidents should be impeached if stocks fall.
✔️ A viral image claiming to show a 2012 Trump post is impostor content.
🔗 Read more on #RumorGuard: bit.ly/DowImpostorPost
#StockMarket #Misinformation
15
3
1
4
A Threads post reads, “Listening Devices Found in Oval Office—President’s Desk Removed for Security Scan. Washington, D.C. – February 21, 2025. In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples through Washington, sources within the White House have confirmed that the Oval Office—including the historic Resolute Desk—was subjected to a high-level security sweep following suspicions of covert surveillance. The sweep reportedly uncovered sophisticated listening devices.” The post features an image of President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. The News Literacy Project has added a label that says “FALSE.”
❌ NO: Covert listening devices were not discovered inside the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office.
✔️ President Donald Trump announced on Feb. 19 that he had temporarily removed the desk for light refinishing - not due to surveillance concerns.
#RumorGuard post: bit.ly/DeskOvalOffice
5
1
1
0
A social media post reads, “The 200-foot statue of Jesus on the White House lawn is complete, standing tall as a reminder that no government, no leader, no law is greater than the KING of KINGS. :latin_cross::us: HIS shadow now falls over the White House” and includes a video that appears to show a large Jesus statue near the White House. The News Literacy Project has added a label that says “AI-GENERATED VIDEO.”
❌ NO: This is not from an authentic video of a large Jesus statue on the White House lawn. It's AI-generated.
Tips for debunking such a falsehood:
1 - Go to the source. The account posts AI content.
2 - Do a search. Are there credible news reports?
🔗 #RumorGuard post: bit.ly/JesusStatueAI
10
3
1
0
A social media post reads, “Almost 20 million dead people are receiving social security checks. WTF :face_with_symbols_on_mouth:” and features a chart supposedly showing millions of people over the age of 100 registered for Social Security. The News Literacy Project has added a label that says “MISINTERPRETATION.”
❌ No, 20 million dead people aren’t getting Social Security checks.
⚠️ This claim is based on misinterpreted data. Charts & images can be shared out of context, always look for logical explanations and more reporting.
🔗 Read more on #RumorGuard: bit.ly/SocialSecuri...
22
8
0
0
A post on Instagram reads, “Huge sinkhole appears in Paris. Do you think this could happen?” and features a video that appears to show a large sinkhole in Paris. The News Literacy Project has added a label that says “AI-GENERATED VIDEO.”
❌ NO: This is not a genuine video of an actual sinkhole in Paris.
✔️ It's AI-generated.
💡 With how realistic AI has become, remember to review the source + check for corroborating news reports before sharing.
🔗 Read more: bit.ly/SinkholeAI
#RumorGuard
#ArtificialIntelligence
10
1
0
0
A social media post reads, “Ummmmmmmmm. LMFAO. This is getting out of hand” and features a purported screenshot of a post from President Donald Trump that reads, “The Chiefs’ Super Bowl performance was a DISASTER – totally EMBARRASSING! Maybe too focused on DEI nonsense instead of WINNING? Meanwhile, the Eagles get all the help – USAID money flowing in like water. And let’s not forget Taylor Swift – her presence was a DISTRACTION for Travis Kelce. The only good part? The MASSIVE cheers for me – louder than anything in the game! People are saying the MOST EVER at a Super Bowl. The fans know!” The News Literacy Project has added a label that says “IMPOSTOR CONTENT.”
❌ NO: President Donald Trump did not blame DEI efforts for the Kansas City Chiefs’ loss in #SuperBowlLIX. He also did not claim the Philadelphia Eagles were getting money from USAID.
✔️ This is a piece of impostor content.
#RumorGuard post: bit.ly/KansasCityTr...
11
1
1
0
A social media post contains an image of President Donald Trump and reads, “Breaking: ICE allegedly offering $750 for Reporting Undocumented Immigrants.” Two other posts read, “ICE is now paying $750 to anyone who turns in an illegal” and “ICE paying $750 for every immigrant you turn in.” The News Literacy Project has added a label that says “FALSE.”
1/ ❌ NO: U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement is not offering financial rewards for using its tip line to report people who are illegally in the country.
✔️ YES: ICE does have an online tip form & phone number for making such reports.
🔗 #RumorGuard post: bit.ly/ICErewards
17
5
2
2
Two social media posts read “Meanwhile my Facebook made me follow Trump and jd Vance automatically today” and “Meta is adding folks as followers on Vance's VP page involuntarily. You have to go there to unfollow and block, and hope it stays that way.” The News Literacy Project has added a label that says “FALSE.”
1/ ❌ NO: Meta is not forcing people to follow President Donald Trump & Vice President JD Vance.
✔️ When Trump & Vance took office, the official social media accounts for their positions @ potus & @ vp were transferred to them.
#RumorGuard post: bit.ly/socialAccounts
24
9
5
0
A Facebook post reads, “45 of Los Angeles fire trucks have to go back to the fire department for 10 hours a day to recharge instead of fighting fires after refueling in 7 minutes this is why electric vehicles don’t belong anywhere near public safety services.” The News Literacy Project has added a label that says “FALSE.”
1/ ❌ NO: The Los Angeles Fire Department does not have 45 electric fire trucks.
✔️ It has one truck with an electric engine in its entire fleet.
❌ NO: That one engine does not take 10 hours to recharge.
#RumorGuard post: bit.ly/TrucksLAFD
118
22
4
1
A post on X reads, “:rotating_light: #BREAKING: Los Angeles fire hydrants are OUT OF WATER because the county REFUSED to refill reservoirs, per Rick Caruso. “You can’t fight a fire without water!” The Mayor did ZERO prep despite the advanced warning of winds and fire risk. This is EXACTLY what happened on Maui!” and features a clip of billionaire developer Rick Caruso speaking on a Fox News affiliate. The News Literacy Project has added a label that says “FALSE.”
✔️ YES: Some fire hydrants ran out of water as firefighters attempted to fight fires in Los Angeles.
❌ NO: This did not occur because L.A. ‘refused’ to fill its reservoirs in the days before.
🔗 #RumorGuard post with #NewsLiteracy takeaways: bit.ly/ShortageFals...
36
10
2
1
2/ We are not a fact-checking organization, but our #RumorGuard site pulls from fact-checks to provide context for how viral #misinformation happens.
We then provide #NewsLiteracy takeaways & point to skills that can help anyone avoid falling for falsehoods online.
Learn more: www.rumorguard.org
4
2
0
0
Dan is the lead writer for #RumorGuard, our digital tool that curates fact checks & teaches people to spot viral misinformation.
Help push back against falsehoods across social media platforms by signing up for RG alerts: www.rumorguard.org/take-action
9
2
1
0
It's all-to-easy to fall for falsehoods, like those spreading about unidentified drone sightings over New Jersey, when reliable and authoritative sources don't provide immediate explanations for mysterious events. Rumors sometimes fly when the facts aren't all in. #RumorGuard mbl.ms/kPPYq09ZDKE
0
0
0
0
An X post from an account appearing to belong to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reads, “BREAKING: Effective January 20th, I will be BANNING all consumption of Diet Coke in the United States. It’s time to Make America Healthy Again. #MAHA. Who’s with me?” and features an image of two Diet Coke cans. The News Literacy Project has added a label that says, “IMPOSTOR CONTENT.”
❌ NO: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. did not announce that he intends to ban Diet Coke effective Jan. 20.
✔️ The claim originated with a Dec. 4 post from an X parody account that has since been suspended.
#RumorGuard post: bit.ly/RFKCoke
9
1
2
0
A collection of social media posts contains statements related to a series of supposed drone sightings in New Jersey in November and December 2024, including, “ESCALATION: Eyewitnesses say that the drones over NJ appear to be shooting at something,” “Good Image Of Drone Over NJ,” and “Breaking: Pentagon launches ‘Operation Necromancer’ to intercept drone fleets.” These posts also include images supposedly showing the aforementioned drones. The News Literacy Project has added labels that say, “FALSE CONTEXT,” “SHEER ASSERTION” and “CGI VIDEO.”
🚨 When something occurs that drives speculation & authoritative sources don’t provide immediate answers, bad actors exploit the gap in credible info with falsehoods.
That's what has happened with the #drone story in NJ & nearby states.
#RumorGuard post: bit.ly/DroneFalseho...
23
13
0
2
A post on X reads, “No one elected the World Economic Forum” and features a screenshot of an article titled, “World Leaders Sign WEF Treaty Introducing ‘Age of Death’ Laws in West.” The News Literacy Project has added a label that says “FALSE.”
1/ ❌ NO: Global leaders did not sign a World Economic Forum treaty to introduce “age of death” laws requiring people to seek government approval to live past a certain age in the Western Hemisphere.
✔️ It's a hoax. The WEF website has no mention of "age of death."
#RumorGuard post: bit.ly/WEFlaw
7
3
1
0
A Threads post includes a screenshot of an X post that reads, “BREAKING: Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was set to testify against Nancy Pelosi for insider trading.” The News Literacy Project has added a label that says “FALSE”.
1/ ❌ NO: Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is not under investigation for insider trading & UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was not about to testify against her when he was killed Dec. 4.
#RumorGuard post: bit.ly/CEOdeathPelosi
#Misinformation
13
2
2
0
Educators: In this week's newsletter, our #RumorGuard slidedeck breaks down how to debunk this viral falsehood ⤵️ with keyword searches, a short video tutorial & more!
💡 Perfect for using with students: bit.ly/RGslidedeck
#AcademicSky
6
2
0
0
A post on X reads, “Pete Buttigieg will leave his post as Transportation Secretary having spent $7.5 BILLION to build 8 EV charging stations. His legacy will be squandering billions on something nobody wants, while millions struggle to afford the things they need” and features an image of Buttigieg. The News Literacy Project has added a label that says “FALSE.”
1/ ❌ NO: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg did not spend $7.5 billion for just 8 EV charging stations.
✔️ Much of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's funds to build a network of publicly available stations across the U.S. has not yet been spent.
#RumorGuard post: bit.ly/evStations
32
12
1
1
2/ Tips for spotting impostor content:
- View posts that circulate as images & don't have live links with caution
- Vet the original source
- Search for news about a post
- Remember that provocative posts play into confirmation bias
#RumorGuard post: bit.ly/FakePostMSNBC
7
1
0
0