United StatesOwnership & classification
Founded: 2007
Ownership
PolitiFact was launched in 2007 by the Tampa Bay Times (then the St. Petersburg Times). Since February 2018 it has been owned and operated by the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, a nonprofit journalism school in St. Petersburg, Florida, which acquired it outright and gave it nonprofit status. Poynter itself was founded by newspaper publisher Nelson Poynter and controls the fact-checking brand directly.
Funding
As a nonprofit operation, PolitiFact is financed through grants, foundation support and individual donations rather than a single owner's budget. Disclosed funders have included the Democracy Fund, the Craig Newmark Foundation and a range of foundations and tech-company programs that support Poynter (including Google, Meta and the Knight Foundation).
Affiliation & stance
PolitiFact has no party, government or church ties; it is a privately governed nonprofit fact-checking project run by an independent journalism institute. Its editorial decisions are made by its own newsroom and it is a signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network code of principles, which is why it is classified INDEPENDENT. Its lean is best described as CENTER.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 49
77/100
Factual
76/100
Objective
49
Articles
49
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
How did the Cornell rape case go so wrong?
In October 2024, a student at Cornell University reported a sexual assault by multiple men at a fraternity house, which was initially treated as a campus matter. Two years later, the victim, referred to as 'Jane Doe,' filed a civil lawsuit against the university, fraternity, sorority organizations, and a local bar, alleging they failed to protect her. The accused men's lawyers denied the claims, while Cornell stated disciplinary actions resulted in suspensions and expulsions. When Doe reported the incident to campus police, the district attorney's office determined the allegations did not meet the criteria for criminal charges. Despite reopening the investigation, the district attorney defended his initial decision. Governor Kathy Hochul appointed State Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor, expressing loss of confidence in the district attorney. Legal experts like Lauren Hersh discuss the handling of such cases, limitations of consent laws, and potential reforms.
Ashley Hinson voted for Epstein files’ release. What’s behind Democrats’ messaging to the contrary?
PolitiFact examined claims made by the Democratic-aligned super PAC WinSenate regarding Republican Representative Ashley Hinson's actions concerning the Jeffrey Epstein files. The ads claimed Hinson accepted donations from individuals named in the files and voted to block their release. However, PolitiFact found these claims misleading. While Hinson did receive donations from people mentioned in the files, there is no evidence they were directly involved with Epstein or his crimes. Additionally, Hinson opposed procedural moves that would have forced a vote on releasing the files, but she supported other procedural votes that prevented standalone bills on the issue from reaching the House floor. Her stance was that the matter should be handled through proper legislative processes rather than rushed decisions.
Donald Trump has gained wealth as president, not lost it
The article discusses claims about Donald Trump's financial status during his presidency. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin claimed that Trump faced a financial loss while in office, suggesting there is no financial benefit to being president. However, Trump's 2025 financial disclosure reveals $1.4 billion in cryptocurrency revenue alone, with a New York Times analysis estimating total earnings of at least $2.2 billion for that year. Forbes estimates Trump's net worth increased significantly, reaching $2.7 billion since winning the 2024 election. Experts note that 2025 was the most profitable year of Trump's life. The White House counters by citing a decline in Trump's net worth from $3.7 billion in 2016 to $2.5 billion in 2021, but Forbes now reports his net worth at $7 billion in 2026. The White House also notes that Trump does not receive a salary, though this is a small fraction compared to his reported earnings.
Democrats Turn To Obama To Prop Up A Controversial Nominee
The article discusses the upcoming Senate race in Michigan between Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers, highlighting the narrow polling gap between them. Former President Barack Obama is set to campaign for El-Sayed in Detroit, providing significant Democratic support in a state previously won by Donald Trump. El-Sayed, who rejects the 'democratic socialist' label but received an endorsement from the Democratic Socialists of America, faces scrutiny over his association with Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, known for controversial remarks about 9/11. El-Sayed's past statements, including calls for strict pandemic measures and criticism of Mackinac Island, have drawn attention. His comments about Mackinac Island resurfaced recently, prompting backlash and responses from both candidates. Republican candidate Mike Rogers capitalized on the controversy, appealing to disaffected Democratic voters by addressing concerns about representation and values.
No, Brazil’s fast vote counting is not proof of US election cheating, despite Trump’s claim
President Donald Trump claimed that the rapid release of results in Brazil's first-round presidential election proved that U.S. elections were corrupt. He contrasted this with the slower count in American cities like Detroit and Philadelphia, suggesting that the delay indicated potential fraud. However, Brazil's election system differs significantly from the U.S. system. Brazil uses electronic voting machines, requires in-person voting on a single national holiday, and employs a centralized judicial body called the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) to manage elections nationwide. These factors contribute to faster result tabulation. Experts note that Brazil's system is designed for speed and security, with extensive audits and transparency measures in place. Trump's claims about election corruption have been widely disputed, and his history of making similar allegations lacks evidence.
Fact-check: Where was Cooper when Hurricane Helene hit NC?
PolitiFact fact-checked claims that former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper was absent from the state during Hurricane Helene's impact in September 2024. Critics, including those associated with Donald Trump's campaign and the Republican National Committee, alleged that Cooper was in New York attending a climate conference during the storm. However, Cooper's office confirmed that he returned to North Carolina by 3 p.m. on September 25, a day before the hurricane made landfall in Florida. Cooper was present in Raleigh on September 27, when the most severe effects of the storm hit western North Carolina. The article clarifies that Cooper played an active role in preparing for the storm, requesting emergency powers and activating the State Emergency Operations Center prior to the hurricane's arrival.
Byron Donalds overstates David Jolly’s offshore drilling lobbying, ignores anti-drilling record
The article discusses a political ad by Florida's GOP gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds, which claims Democratic nominee David Jolly lobbied for offshore drilling in Florida after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The ad suggests Jolly 'cashed in' on the crisis by pushing for expanded drilling. However, Jolly's campaign disputes this, stating he never lobbied for offshore drilling and that the ad misrepresents his past actions. PolitiFact notes that while Jolly's lobbying firm did engage in discussions related to offshore drilling legislation, the ad exaggerates the extent of his lobbying efforts and overlooks his legislative record opposing drilling near Florida. The article highlights the controversy around how Jolly's past activities are portrayed and the potential implications for the gubernatorial race.
Trump said the war in Iran would last 4-6 weeks. Then he changed his story and blamed the media.
President Donald Trump initially claimed that the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran would eliminate the country's nuclear threat within 4-6 weeks, but seven months later, the conflict continues. Polls indicate that midterm voters are frustrated by the prolonged war, linking it to rising inflation and energy costs. Trump has since retracted his original timeline, claiming he 'did it in one night' and blaming the media for misrepresenting his statements. Multiple instances from March 2023 show Trump consistently projected the operation would last weeks, yet he now asserts the mission was completed quickly. Fact-checkers note that Trump frequently cited these timelines, often without clarifying that the 4-6 week estimate referred specifically to eliminating the nuclear threat, not the entire conflict. His recent claims contradict prior public statements and raise questions about consistency.
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.
No, Ohio Senate candidate Sherrod Brown does not support ‘forcing childhood sex change surgery’
PolitiFact investigated claims made by the Republican-aligned Senate Leadership Fund in an advertisement accusing Ohio Senate candidate Sherrod Brown of supporting 'forcing childhood sex change surgery.' The ad, which ran in 2024 and again in 2026, portrayed Brown as endorsing gender transition surgery for minors, using imagery of children and surgical tools. However, PolitiFact found no evidence that Brown has ever explicitly supported such procedures for minors. The ad cited a 2023 interview where Brown opposed legislation that would have criminalized providing gender-affirming care to those under 18, stating that healthcare decisions for children should involve families and doctors, not politicians. While Brown has supported LGBTQ+ rights and policies, including introducing a Pride Month resolution and receiving endorsements from groups like the Human Rights Campaign, there is no record of him advocating for forced gender transition surgery for minors. The Senate Leadership Fund's claim appears misleading based on the available information.
John Sununu said Chris Pappas voted to raise taxes 68 times. That’s False.
PolitiFact investigated a claim by Republican candidate John Sununu that Democratic opponent Chris Pappas voted to raise taxes 68 times. After reviewing the evidence provided by Sununu's campaign, PolitiFact found the claim to be false. The 68-vote figure was based on a mix of procedural votes and votes on complex legislation that had multiple provisions, many of which were not direct tax hikes. Some of the bills cited, such as the HEROES Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, included provisions that affected taxes in ways that were not straightforward tax increases. Experts noted that many of the votes cited did not meet the criteria for being 'tax raises' in a clear sense. The article highlights how political figures can misrepresent legislative actions to fit a narrative, emphasizing the importance of accurate interpretation of voting records.
In Iowa’s U.S. Senate race, fact-checking Ashley Hinson’s claim about Josh Turek’s voting record
In Iowa's U.S. Senate race, Republican candidate Ashley Hinson has criticized Democratic Representative Josh Turek for missing 58% of House floor votes during the 2026 legislative session. PolitiFact Iowa confirmed the accuracy of Turek's absenteeism rate, noting that while some experts argue such absences are common for campaign-focused legislators, Turek's rate significantly exceeds typical levels. Turek's absence rate places him second-highest among Iowa House members, behind only Rep. Jerome Amos Jr. Political scientists suggest that while frequent absences are notable, they may not necessarily reflect poor legislative performance, as many bills do not require a single vote to pass. Hinson's campaign frames Turek's absences as evidence of inconsistent commitment to constituent priorities.
Fact-checking Rob Sand’s comparison of Iowa public schools’ ranking
Democrat Rob Sand, Iowa's state auditor and gubernatorial candidate, claimed in a campaign ad that Iowa's public schools have dropped in national rankings and urged efforts to restore their status as the best in the country. Sand criticized the state's Education Savings Account program, which allows families to redirect public funds toward private schooling, calling for stricter regulations on the program. While Sand referenced his childhood experience in Decorah, Iowa, where he claims the state had 'some of the best schools in the nation,' there is no definitive evidence that Iowa currently holds the top national ranking for public schools. According to the Education Data Initiative, Iowa spends $17,804 per pupil, placing it 34th in the nation for K-12 education funding. In 2017, U.S. News and World Report ranked Iowa sixth in K-12 public education, but by 2026, it fell to 26th. Meanwhile, Iowa achieved top rankings in certain subjects during the 1990s, including eighth-grade math and fourth-grade math. However, the Network for Public Education gave Iowa a 'D' grade in its 2026 report, citing concerns over privatization, homeschooling oversight, and school funding.