Welcome to Reality Check, a newsletter that helps you keep track of the false claims and online conspiracy theories that shape our world — and who’s behind them.
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In today’s edition, we report the latest findings from NewsGuard’s monthly Reality Gap Index, the first regular measurement of how successful malign actors are at persuading Americans to believe false claims. (Hint: Enormously successful.) We also debunk the claim that President Trump’s plan to build a new White House ballroom will be paid for by taxpayers, and we show how Russian interests are pushing the false claim that automaker BMW has been selling luxury vehicles in Russia in violation of European sanctions.
Plus: The latest installment in our video series to provide you with the tools and skills you need to identify online hoaxes. Please share this with family and friends who may need these tips to avoid falling for false claims.
Today’s newsletter was edited by Sofia Rubinson and Eric Effron.
What happened: NewsGuard’s Reality Gap Indexis the nation’s first ongoing measurement of mainstream Americans’ propensity to believe the top false claims circulating online each month. For July, NewsGuard found...
Welcome to Reality Check, a newsletter that helps you keep track of the false claims and online conspiracy theories that shape our world — and who’s behind them. If you think exposing distortions a...