United StatesOwnership & classification
Founded: 2003
Ownership
FactCheck.org is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) of the University of Pennsylvania, based at the Annenberg School for Communication in Philadelphia. It was co-founded in 2003 by APPC founding director Kathleen Hall Jamieson and former CNN/AP journalist Brooks Jackson. The APPC itself was established in 1993 by Walter and Leonore Annenberg.
Funding
It is funded primarily through the Annenberg Public Policy Center, which draws on an endowment created by the Annenberg Foundation, plus additional Annenberg Foundation grants and individual reader donations. It does not accept funding from corporations, unions, political parties or advocacy groups.
Affiliation & stance
FactCheck.org is a nonpartisan, university-based fact-checking nonprofit with no party or government control over its content and an explicit policy against funding from partisan or corporate interests. Because it is an academically housed, philanthropically funded nonprofit rather than a party/state-controlled body, it is correctly classified as INDEPENDENT with a centrist orientation.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 43
79/100
Factual
71/100
Objective
43
Articles
43
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Trump Touts Medicaid Drug Savings, But Details Remain Murky
President Donald Trump and federal officials have claimed that agreements with pharmaceutical companies will save Medicaid tens of billions of dollars over a decade, potentially reducing state spending on prescription drugs. These deals, referred to as 'most favored nation' (MFN) pricing, aim to align U.S. drug prices with those in other countries. However, experts question the accuracy of these claims, noting that the savings are likely smaller than projected and depend on factors such as the number of drugs covered. The White House estimates savings of around $64 billion over 10 years, but critics argue this figure may be exaggerated and that the impact on state budgets is overstated. The details of the agreements remain largely confidential, limiting transparency.
Sen. Susan Collins didn’t ‘cover up’ Epstein files or get $3 million from Epstein ‘business partner’
A political ad claims Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, 'covered up' Jeffrey Epstein's files and received $3 million from Epstein's 'business partner.' The ad, run by the progressive super PAC WinSenate, alleges that Collins opposed transparency regarding Epstein's criminal activities and accepted funds from a donor linked to Epstein. However, PolitiFact investigated and found that while Collins did vote against releasing Epstein's files in a specific legislative move, she had previously supported similar provisions in other bills. Additionally, the ad references a $3 million contribution to Collins' super PAC, attributed to Stephen Schwarzman of Blackstone Group, who was a member of the same exclusive club as Epstein. Despite their shared membership, there is no evidence that Schwarzman and Epstein were business partners. The ad has been criticized for misleading claims about Collins' stance and the nature of the donor relationship.
Experts Question the White House’s Defense of Taxpayer-Funded Ads
The White House has defended three taxpayer-funded advertisements featuring President Donald Trump by comparing them to ads from previous presidential administrations. However, legal experts argue these ads may constitute political propaganda aimed at influencing the 2026 midterms and could violate U.S. laws prohibiting the use of federal funds for such purposes. The White House labeled the ads as 'public service announcements,' claiming they promote patriotism rather than campaigning. Legal scholars like Richard Painter and John G. Geer disagree, stating the Trump ads are clearly political and differ significantly from past administrations' ads. The ads include messaging about opposing ideologies and feature endorsements from figures like Dana White, raising concerns about their intent and legality.
Paxton’s Uvalde Comment in Full Context
The article discusses how Democrat James Talarico and the Democratic Party have shared snippets of Republican Ken Paxton's 2022 comments about the Uvalde school shooting, omitting the full context. Paxton, Texas Attorney General, was interviewed on May 29, 2022, following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School where 19 children and two teachers were killed. During the interview, Paxton acknowledged the tragedy as 'evil' and expressed difficulty in providing comfort. He stated, 'there's always a plan' and emphasized faith in God's purpose. However, Talarico's posts and the Democratic National Committee's social media posts highlighted only parts of Paxton's remarks, specifically focusing on his reference to God having a plan, while omitting his broader condolences and spiritual reflections. This selective presentation has led to criticism, as voters are not receiving the complete message. The article argues that without the full context, voters cannot fully understand Paxton's position.
Republican Ad Attacks Cooper with Misleading Claim About Rape Kits
A Republican super PAC ran an advertisement claiming that North Carolina Senate candidate Roy Cooper 'let 16,000 untested rape kits sit on the shelf' during his tenure as state attorney general. The ad suggests Cooper failed to test these kits, but the reality is that the kits were in the custody of local law enforcement agencies and had never been submitted for testing by the state crime laboratory under his oversight. The issue came to light during a 2017 state law requiring local agencies to inventory the kits, which revealed the backlog. Cooper, now a Democratic Senate candidate, faces Republican Michael Whatley in the election to replace Senator Thom Tillis. The ad, funded by No Going Back PAC Inc. with ties to MAGA Inc., has cost over $2.3 million since September 10. The ad misrepresents the situation by implying Cooper personally withheld the kits, whereas the state law mandated the inventory process, which Cooper initially opposed before it became law.
League of Conservation Voters
The League of Conservation Voters (LCV), a pro-environment and liberal organization, operates as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit and runs a super PAC called the LCV Victory Fund. This super PAC focuses on defeating Republican candidates and supporting Democratic ones, particularly those aligned with environmental policies. As of August 31, the super PAC had raised $23.1 million and spent nearly $5 million on independent expenditures, mostly targeting vulnerable Republican representatives like Rep. Bill Huizenga, Rep. Rob Wittman, and Rep. Chuck Edwards. Edwards recently ended his campaign after being censured by the House Ethics Committee. The LCV Victory Fund discloses its donors, with the LCV itself contributing over $18 million. The LCV also maintains other affiliated groups such as the LCV Action Fund and the LCV Education Fund.
One Nation
One Nation is a conservative issue advocacy organization operating as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, associated with the Senate Leadership Fund (SLF PAC), a super PAC backed by Republican Senator Mitch McConnell. The group does not disclose donors due to its non-PAC status and focuses on supporting Republican Senate candidates. One Nation raised over $170 million in contributions during the 2024 election cycle, with expenses exceeding $176.6 million. Much of this funding is directed to SLF PAC, which received $63.5 million from One Nation during the 2024 elections and $70.7 million by June 30, 2026, for the 2026 midterms. The organization heavily funds political advertising, spending over $148 million on ads during the 2026 midterm cycle, with significant investments in races in Ohio, Maine, and Georgia. The article notes that One Nation has been accused of distorting legislative records in its advertising efforts.
America PAC
America PAC, a pro-Republican super PAC created in 2024 by Elon Musk, spent over $261.2 million during the 2024 election cycle, primarily supporting Donald Trump's presidential bid and Republican candidates in Congress. Most of the funds were directed toward Trump's campaign, with additional spending on House and Senate races. As of June 30, the PAC had raised over $50.3 million for the 2026 election cycle, nearly all from Musk or his company. Despite Musk's earlier claims of reducing political spending, the New York Times reported plans to allocate $100 million to $120 million on a field program for the 2026 midterms, focusing on Senate races in several states. The effort, led by Republican strategist Chris Young, includes door-knocking, digital advertising, and direct mail targeting conservative voters. The PAC also coordinates with conservative groups like Americans for Prosperity and has run ads attacking Democratic Senate candidates on transgender issues.
Trump says he’s banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House
President Donald Trump announced that he had banned CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House, accusing them of spreading 'fake news' and 'fiction and lies.' In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that these media outlets should not be allowed to report on him if they are publishing falsehoods. Despite the alleged ban, reporters from these outlets were still present at the White House as of Friday afternoon. Trump warned that other media outlets might face similar restrictions but did not specify which ones. The affected outlets have not commented publicly yet, though CNN expressed support for its journalists and emphasized their constitutional right to report freely. Politico denied Trump's claim that it received government subsidies and vowed to defend its First Amendment rights. Trump's allegations about a government subsidy to Politico come from the Trump administration's assertion that DOGE uncovered such payments. This move is part of Trump's broader strategy to penalize media outlets for critical coverage, including previous actions against The Associated Press and legal battles with the BBC, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.
GOP Ads Mislead on Public Option Proposals’ Impact on Rural Hospitals
The article discusses how Republican campaign advertisements in Texas and Pennsylvania claim that Democratic candidates' support for a public health insurance option would lead to the closure of rural hospitals. These claims are based on a 2019 Navigant report commissioned by a coalition opposing public options, which estimates that between 28% to 55% of rural hospitals could be at 'high risk' of closure under certain scenarios. However, the report's findings rely on the assumption that public options would pay hospitals the same rates as Medicare, which is not universally true across all Democratic proposals. Some Democratic plans propose higher payments to rural hospitals, which would make the Navigant study's predictions less applicable. The article highlights the discrepancy between the GOP's messaging and the nuanced details of the proposed public options, suggesting that the ads may be misleading.
WATCH: Talarico's Church Gives New Members Bible that Erases 'Son of God' from Jesus's Name
Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico's long-time church, St. Andrew's Presbyterian in Austin, provides new members with an 'Inclusive Bible' that replaces traditional gendered language for God, such as 'Lord,' with terms like 'Most High' and 'Sovereign One.' This Bible, first published in 2007 by Priests for Equality, also rewords Jesus' titles, removing references like 'Son of God' and replacing them with phrases like 'Only Begotten' and 'Eternally Begotten.' The practice was revealed through undercover video footage showing the distribution of these Bibles during a church service. Reverend Jim Rigby, the church's pastor and Talarico's spiritual mentor, acknowledged the Bible's focus on inclusivity but criticized its handling of more 'metaphysical' content. Talarico, who was baptized at the church and has strong personal ties to it, previously stated in a 2021 debate that 'God is non-binary,' a statement he later described as cringey and deliberately provocative. The church identifies as 'Presbyterian & Progressive' and claims many congregants identify as agnostic or atheist.
CDC director says RFK Jr. has final say
CDC Director Erica Schwartz stated during an interview with Atlanta News First that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. holds the final authority over decision-making within the agency. Schwartz acknowledged having disagreements with Kennedy but emphasized that she would not publicly challenge him, noting that in the military, subordinates can privately express dissent using phrases like 'but sir.' This contrasts with her predecessor, Susan Monarez, who was dismissed for opposing Kennedy's vaccine policies. Schwartz, a former Trump administration official, supports childhood vaccinations and was seen as a stabilizing figure for the CDC. However, she faces criticism for rejecting four measles-linked deaths in Pennsylvania, a stance influenced by Kennedy's dismissal of the reports as 'fabricated' and his ongoing conflict with Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro. Pennsylvania officials argue that their criteria for counting measles-related deaths align with CDC standards for other respiratory illnesses, excluding deaths from unrelated causes like car accidents.
GOP Ad Attacks Ossoff’s Vote Against Trump Tax Cuts
A Republican campaign group, One Nation, released a television advertisement that selectively highlights portions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), a 2025 budget reconciliation law, to criticize Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff's voting record. The ad claims Ossoff supported a 'tax increase' and 'gutted' the child tax credit, but FactCheck.org notes these claims are misleading. The OBBBA extended 2017 tax cuts, which primarily benefited high-income individuals, while also cutting Medicaid and food assistance programs. Ossoff opposed the bill due to these cuts, arguing they would harm vulnerable populations. The ad omits significant context, such as Ossoff's past support for expanding the child tax credit and the fact that many low-income families do not qualify for the full benefits. One Nation, a dark money organization linked to Senate Leadership Fund, has spent over $145 million during the campaign cycle, with this ad being a major portion.