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US Government Funds 'Toilets in Africa'?
Sometimes, the facts behind what appear to be suspicious claims even take us by surprise.
by Izz Scott LaMagdeleine , Nov. 26, 2024
Image courtesy of TK
No matter the internet's amount of falsehoods, there will always be rumors with some level of truth . And sometimes, the facts behind what appear to be suspicious claims even take us fact checkers by surprise.
Looking back on 2024, Snopes fact-checked a range of items that, on the surface, seemed questionable in terms of their legitimacy. But once we investigated further, we pieced together evidence to label them true.
They included rumors about President-elect Donald Trump's supporters supposedly wearing diapers at rallies and Vice President Kamala Harris hosting a campaign event without any American flags . Many factual claims had nothing to do with the presidential election — like assertions about the origin of California's name and whether cats are banned in a Norwegian town .
Here is a list of unexpectedly true rumors in 2024, picked by members of the Snopes team.
By Izz Scott LaMagdeleine
Izz Scott LaMagdeleine is the web producer/production editor for Snopes.
Largest Reservoir in Space Holds 140 Trillion Times More Water Than Earth's Oceans?
Feb. 22, 2024
The discovery was announced by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory on July 22, 2011.
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Photo Shows JD Vance Wearing 'Soviet Communist T-Shirt'?
Aug. 1, 2024
Vance's team confirmed the photo's existence.
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Trump Once Donated to Kamala Harris' Campaign?
July 22, 2024
An image supposedly showing a $5,000 check from Trump to Harris circulated online after Biden wi ...
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Cats Are Banned in the Town of Longyearbyen, Norway?
Feb. 16, 2024
It’s also rumored that residents are "required" to carry a gun for polar bear protection.
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AA Co-Founder Bill Wilson Denied Whiskey Shots on His Deathbed?
May 21, 2024
The story of Wilson's whiskey deathbed request has been discussed within the recovery community.
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Yes, Photos Do Show JD Vance Wearing Dress and Blonde Wig While at Yale Law School
Aug. 13, 2024
"JD put on a bad wig at a party in college - not exactly scandalous," a representative for Vance ...
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California Named After Fictional Isle of Black Women Who Kept Griffins as Pets?
May 6, 2024
California's queen was named Calafia, according to some claims.
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Santa Claus Contemplated Shooting Himself in Real Vintage Ad
Dec. 12, 2024
The bizarre ad for a men's fashion brand prompted one social media user to say: "This is unhinge ...
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Real Photo of Young Morgan Freeman Holding 'I'm Just a Clown' Sign?
Oct. 18, 2024
The acclaimed actor performed on a children’s variety show in the 1970s.
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Trump Supporters Wore Diapers at Rallies?
May 6, 2024
Images showed people holding signs that said "Real men wear diapers."
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Photo Shows Rescue of 6 People from Collapsed North Carolina Cabin Following Hurricane Helene?
Oct. 3, 2024
Social media users users shared a picture saying it showed workers rescuing six people following ...
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Does Bhutan Really Have Giant Penises Painted on Buildings to Ward Off Evil Spirits?
March 22, 2024
These Bhutan phallic symbols are said to be associated with Drukpa Kunley, a revered 15th-centur ...
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'Sesame Street' Has Been Parodying Donald Trump Since the 1980s?
July 21, 2024
The children's television series has based four characters on Donald Trump, including one played ...
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No American Flags Visible at Rally for Harris at Temple University in October 2024?
Oct. 31, 2024
One user remarked of a video clip, "Not one American flag in sight at Kamala's rally."
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Was 'Confederate Anthem' Played at Trump's Madison Square Garden Rally?
Oct. 29, 2024
Steve Witkoff, a New Yorker and real estate investor, used the song "Dixie" as his entrance and ...
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Israeli Soldier Posed in Front of Burning Books at University in Gaza?
May 31, 2024
The Israeli Military Police has reportedly opened an investigation.
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Photo Shows French Union Workers Marching and Grilling With BBQ Fitted to Tram Tracks?
Dec. 3, 2024
A video shared online also showed a fired-up grill in the middle of the street.
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US Government Funds 'Toilets in Africa'?
Nov. 26, 2024
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who made the claim, said the new Department of Government Efficienc ...
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