Skill Level: đ Intermediate
đ§ What Is It?
Fact-checking is the art of calling bullshit with receipts. In a political landscape flooded with liesâfrom deepfake videos to âalternative factsââyou need tools to verify whatâs real, whatâs twisted, and whatâs completely fabricated. This guide will teach you how to check claims like a journalist, track sources like a spy, and debunk nonsense like a snarky cat with a grudge.
â ď¸ Why It Matters
Disinformation isnât just annoyingâitâs deadly. Trumpâs regime has weaponized lies to justify genocide budgets, eliminate civil rights, and whip mobs into action. Algorithms are rigged, the courts are packed, and the media landscape is fragmented. In this hellscape, truth is resistance. Every time you correct a falsehood, you weaken fascismâs grip on reality.
đž Real-World Example
In July 2025, Trumpâs team claimed that FEMA was âfully funded and respondingâ to the Texas flood crisis. Independent reporters revealed the truth: FEMA staff were slashed, funding was redirected to border detention, and locals were begging for water. That correction changed the narrativeâmutual aid funds spiked, lawsuits were filed, and even red-state governors demanded answers.
â Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Pause Before Sharing
Got a juicy headline? Pause. Don’t become a disinfo repeater. Check the date, URL, and whether it came from âpatriot_eagle1337.ru.â
Step 2: Find the Original Source
Dig into the article. Who published it? Is it citing a real press release, court doc, or video? If it only links to other clickbait, itâs probably garbage.
Step 3: Use a Reputable Fact-Checker
Check sites like:
- Snopes
- FactCheck.org
- PolitiFact
- Lead Stories
They catalog political lies, social media hoaxes, and doctored media.
Step 4: Reverse Image Search
Use TinEye or Google Reverse Image Search to see if a photo is old, stolen, or edited. Great for calling out âlook what Biden did!â scams.
Step 5: Cross-Verify with Primary Sources
When in doubt, go to the source. Look up the actual law, bill, court decision, or executive order. Congressional websites and PACER (for court records) are your friends.
Step 6: Screenshot and Archive Lies
Use tools like archive.today to save evidence before itâs deleted. Take screenshots of tweets, headlines, and videos with timestamps. Fascists love to cover their tracks.
Step 7: Correct Loudly and Clearly
When correcting someone, be concise, kind (if possible), and include proof. Example:
âNope! FEMA didnât show up in Texas for 5 days. Source: The Guardianâ
Use memes and graphics if text doesnât cut through.
Step 8: Train Your Circle
Teach your friends and followers how to check sources. Share this guide. Host a virtual teach-in. Make it cool to question and cringe to spread crap.
đą Final Note from Resistance Kitty
Fascists thrive in a fog of lies. You? Youâre a laser-pointer-wielding clarity beast. You donât just chase the truthâyou drag it out by the scruff, receipts in paw, and throw it on the damn table. Keep doing that. One debunked lie at a time, youâre helping claw our democracy back from the edge.
