Quick TakeFull StorySocial media posts are targeting , an NBC White House correspondent who is scheduled to moderate the final presidential for the 2020 election on Oct. 22.The posts aim at discrediting Welker, making her appear to be biased against President Donald Trump. The president a “radical Democrat” during a rally in Arizona on Oct. 19.But Welker, who lives in Washington, D.C., is not currently registered with a political party, according to the District of Columbia Board of Elections. Also worth noting is that Trump praised Welker in January when she was of NBC’s “Weekend TODAY”...…Quick TakeFull StorySocial media posts are targeting , an NBC White House correspondent who is scheduled to moderate the final presidential for the 2020 election on Oct. 22.The posts aim at discrediting Welker, making her appear to be biased against President Donald Trump. The president a “radical Democrat” during a rally in Arizona on Oct. 19.But Welker, who lives in Washington, D.C., is not currently registered with a political party, according to the District of Columbia Board of Elections. Also worth noting is that Trump praised Welker in January when she was of NBC’s “Weekend TODAY”...WW…

At a rally in Vandalia, Ohio, President Donald Trump falsely that Nevada voters are not required to sign their mail ballots and, if they do sign them, the signatures don’t have to be verified.The law requires mail ballots to include valid voter signatures, which must be verified by election officials. A in August by Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak expanding mail voting in the state did spell out in more detail than previous laws the procedures for dealing with suspect signatures and provisions for allowing voters to verify them. But it did not change the signature requirement.Trump,...…At a rally in Vandalia, Ohio, President Donald Trump falsely that Nevada voters are not required to sign their mail ballots and, if they do sign them, the signatures don’t have to be verified.The law requires mail ballots to include valid voter signatures, which must be verified by election officials. A in August by Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak expanding mail voting in the state did spell out in more detail than previous laws the procedures for dealing with suspect signatures and provisions for allowing voters to verify them. But it did not change the signature requirement.Trump,...WW…

President Donald Trump has ramped up his rhetoric about voting fraud to include foreign interference — specifically making the unfounded claim that “MILLIONS OF MAIL-IN BALLOTS WILL BE PRINTED BY FOREIGN COUNTRIES,” resulting in a “RIGGED” election.Voting experts say there are numerous logistical hurdles, such as reproducing ballots in multiple jurisdictions, and security safeguards, such as bar codes and signature checks, that would prevent a foreign government from slipping large numbers of fraudulent ballots past election officials. Those...…President Donald Trump has ramped up his rhetoric about voting fraud to include foreign interference — specifically making the unfounded claim that “MILLIONS OF MAIL-IN BALLOTS WILL BE PRINTED BY FOREIGN COUNTRIES,” resulting in a “RIGGED” election.Voting experts say there are numerous logistical hurdles, such as reproducing ballots in multiple jurisdictions, and security safeguards, such as bar codes and signature checks, that would prevent a foreign government from slipping large numbers of fraudulent ballots past election officials. Those...WW…

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office in January rising debt for the rest of President Donald Trump’s presidency and beyond. Yet, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin claimed that before COVID-19 hit, the U.S. was experiencing “extraordinary” economic growth that “would pay down the debt over time.”Treasury officials say the claim is based on Trump’s , submitted in early February, which claims to put the federal budget “on a path to a balanced budget in 15 years.”But that budget assumes economic growth that far exceeds consensus forecasts, including the CBO’s. It also assumes the...…The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office in January rising debt for the rest of President Donald Trump’s presidency and beyond. Yet, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin claimed that before COVID-19 hit, the U.S. was experiencing “extraordinary” economic growth that “would pay down the debt over time.”Treasury officials say the claim is based on Trump’s , submitted in early February, which claims to put the federal budget “on a path to a balanced budget in 15 years.”But that budget assumes economic growth that far exceeds consensus forecasts, including the CBO’s. It also assumes the...WW…

Quick TakeUnsubstantiated posts spreading on Facebook and Twitter claim former Vice President Joe Biden “got tonight’s debate questions in advance” and that he will be wearing an earpiece. There is no evidence for either assertion.Full Story In the hours before the first presidential debate, baseless and unsubstantiated claims about former Vice President Joe Biden swirled on social media.The unfounded assertions included claims that Biden was given the questions ahead of time and that he will wear an electronic earpiece during the debate.Baseless Assertion on Debate QuestionsOn and on...…Quick TakeUnsubstantiated posts spreading on Facebook and Twitter claim former Vice President Joe Biden “got tonight’s debate questions in advance” and that he will be wearing an earpiece. There is no evidence for either assertion.Full Story In the hours before the first presidential debate, baseless and unsubstantiated claims about former Vice President Joe Biden swirled on social media.The unfounded assertions included claims that Biden was given the questions ahead of time and that he will wear an electronic earpiece during the debate.Baseless Assertion on Debate QuestionsOn and on...WW…

A new Trump campaign ad claims that President Donald Trump took “fast action” in regard to testing for the novel coronavirus. While “fast action” is subjective, pandemic experts say the U.S. did not move quickly to set up an adequate system and in fact lagged behind other countries.We have several times on a number of snags and miscues that prevented robust, widespread early testing.“The United States has lagged nearly every developed country in ramping up testing, and the slow action is one reason why we have the worst epidemic in the world and are discussing reopening when it is not safe...…A new Trump campaign ad claims that President Donald Trump took “fast action” in regard to testing for the novel coronavirus. While “fast action” is subjective, pandemic experts say the U.S. did not move quickly to set up an adequate system and in fact lagged behind other countries.We have several times on a number of snags and miscues that prevented robust, widespread early testing.“The United States has lagged nearly every developed country in ramping up testing, and the slow action is one reason why we have the worst epidemic in the world and are discussing reopening when it is not safe...WW…

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar says President Donald Trump has been “clear” in calling for the public to “wear face coverings when you can’t social distance.”The official messaging from the White House has been, as Azar put it, “clear and unambiguous” since early April. But the president’s statements have been anything but.In the last two weeks, Trump has offered tepid endorsement for masks, saying: “The mask, perhaps, helps.” He has also raised doubts about the science, noting that health experts who now advocate public mask-wearing were once opposed to it. “I guess I’m...…Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar says President Donald Trump has been “clear” in calling for the public to “wear face coverings when you can’t social distance.”The official messaging from the White House has been, as Azar put it, “clear and unambiguous” since early April. But the president’s statements have been anything but.In the last two weeks, Trump has offered tepid endorsement for masks, saying: “The mask, perhaps, helps.” He has also raised doubts about the science, noting that health experts who now advocate public mask-wearing were once opposed to it. “I guess I’m...WW…

President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign has released an ad that features edited and out-of-context photos to illustrate Joe Biden “hiding” in his basement rather than taking questions from reporters on the campaign trail.The narrator of the 30-second ad, which was posted to , and on Aug. 5, says: “Deep in the heart of Delaware, Joe Biden sits in his basement. Alone. Hiding. Diminished. Refusing to answer questions about the crazy far-left ideas he’s adopted.”But when the narrator says “alone” and “hiding,” a photo is shown of Biden — Trump’s presumptive Democratic challenger — sitting...…President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign has released an ad that features edited and out-of-context photos to illustrate Joe Biden “hiding” in his basement rather than taking questions from reporters on the campaign trail.The narrator of the 30-second ad, which was posted to , and on Aug. 5, says: “Deep in the heart of Delaware, Joe Biden sits in his basement. Alone. Hiding. Diminished. Refusing to answer questions about the crazy far-left ideas he’s adopted.”But when the narrator says “alone” and “hiding,” a photo is shown of Biden — Trump’s presumptive Democratic challenger — sitting...WW…

Ask SciCheckQ. Are vaccinated and boosted people more susceptible to infection or disease with the omicron variant than unvaccinated people?A. No. Getting vaccinated increases your protection against COVID-19. Sometimes, certain raw data can suggest otherwise, but that information cannot be used to determine how well a vaccine works.Have a question?…Ask SciCheckQ. Are vaccinated and boosted people more susceptible to infection or disease with the omicron variant than unvaccinated people?A. No. Getting vaccinated increases your protection against COVID-19. Sometimes, certain raw data can suggest otherwise, but that information cannot be used to determine how well a vaccine works.Have a question?WW…

Editor’s Note: The author was previously a student in a science writing course taught by Carl Zimmer.Ask SciCheckQ. Are vaccinated and boosted people more susceptible to infection or disease with the omicron variant than unvaccinated people?A. No. Getting vaccinated increases your protection against COVID-19. Sometimes, certain raw data can suggest otherwise, but that information cannot be used to determine how well a vaccine works.Have a question?…Editor’s Note: The author was previously a student in a science writing course taught by Carl Zimmer.Ask SciCheckQ. Are vaccinated and boosted people more susceptible to infection or disease with the omicron variant than unvaccinated people?A. No. Getting vaccinated increases your protection against COVID-19. Sometimes, certain raw data can suggest otherwise, but that information cannot be used to determine how well a vaccine works.Have a question?WW…