Incorrect Attribution

Incorrect Attribution This rating indicates quote material (speech or text) is incorrectly attributed to the person who allegedly spoke or wrote it. Learn more about our rating system here.

Nietzsche Said You're a 'Hero' If You Crush a Cockroach, 'Villain' If You Crush a Butterfly?

Written by: Caroline Wazer

Oct. 10, 2024

Some internet users have attributed the same words to other historical figures, such as the Sufi ...

Karl Marx Said, 'Accuse Your Enemy of What You Are Doing'?

Written by: Caroline Wazer

Sept. 29, 2024

Internet users have also attributed the quote to Saul Alinsky and Joseph Goebbels.

No, Harris Didn't Say 'I Promise to Do Everything I Could Have Done but Didn't Do'

Written by: Nur Ibrahim

Sept. 18, 2024

Harris purportedly said, “I promise to do everything I could have done but didn't do because if ...

Did Jefferson Say Government Big Enough To Give 'Everything You Want' Can Take It All Away?

Written by: Caroline Wazer

Sept. 15, 2024

The alleged quote could be found on a bumper sticker sold on Amazon, a 4-foot banner sold on Caf ...

John Kerry's Daughter Said Billions of People Must Die for 'New World Order'?

Written by: Nick Hardinges

Sept. 9, 2024

Physician Vanessa Kerry has served as the director-general special envoy for climate change and ...

Winston Churchill Said, 'If You're Going Through Hell, Keep Going'?

Written by: Nur Ibrahim

Sept. 5, 2024

Numerous quotes have often been attributed to the famed U.K. prime minister.

No, Lowe's CEO Marvin Ellison Didn't Tell Conservatives To Shop at Home Depot

Written by: Jordan Liles

Aug. 26, 2024

A fake CNBC graphic showed Ellison's photo next to the quote, "If conservatives do not like our ...

Jefferson Said, 'When the People Fear the Government There Is Tyranny...'?

Written by: Anna Rascouët-Paz

Aug. 25, 2024

Fake quotes attributed to U.S. Founding Fathers are a dime a dozen.

Cher Said Trump 'Most Unattractive Man I Have Met'?

Written by: Nur Ibrahim

Aug. 8, 2024

The mononymous singer has criticized the former U.S. President for years.

No, Kamala Harris Didn't Say 'We Celebrate the Olympics Because Olympians Are Olympic'

Written by: Alex Kasprak

July 30, 2024

It's more important now than ever to check your sources.

No, Kamala Harris Didn't Say, 'The Reason We Celebrate the Fourth of July Is Because This Is July'

Written by: Jordan Liles

July 25, 2024

We looked for the origins of a fake quote appearing to first circulate online in July 2024.

No, Kamala Harris Didn't Say 'the Problem of Solving a Problem Is Not a Problem'

Written by: Jordan Liles

July 24, 2024

The purported quote continued, "but when a problem solves a problem without any problem, then th ...

Lenin Said, 'There Are Decades Where Nothing Happens' and 'Weeks Where Decades Happen'?

Written by: Caroline Wazer

July 24, 2024

The quote has appeared in social media posts and newspapers — and singer Billy Idol's memoir.

Stephen King Said Fox News Did 'What Our Parents Were Afraid Video Games Would Do to Us'?

Written by: Caroline Wazer

June 30, 2024

The author’s parents were no longer alive when Fox News launched.

Alanis Morissette Said the 'Music Industry Is Run by Elite Pedophiles'?

Written by: Nikki Dobrin

June 28, 2024

The claim stemmed from an interview in which the Canadian singer discussed alleged sexual abuse ...

Sylvia Plath Once Said, 'Opinions are Like Orgasms … Mine Matters Most'?

Written by: Caroline Wazer

June 24, 2024

The attribution of the quote to Plath began as a Tumblr joke.

Orwell Talked of 'Destroying People' by 'Denying and Obliterating' Their History?

Written by: Taija PerryCook

June 20, 2024

The tone is Orwellian, the origins are not.

Keanu Reeves Said, 'I'm At That Stage in Life Where I Stay Out of Discussions'?

Written by: Jordan Liles

June 20, 2024

Reeves purportedly added, "Even if you say 1+1=5, you’re right. Have fun."

James Baldwin Said 'We Can Disagree and Still Love Each Other'?

Written by: Anna Rascouët-Paz

June 19, 2024

James Baldwin has a few talented intellectual heirs.

Tom Selleck Said, 'I Refuse to Debate Gun Control with Anyone Who Believes Men Can Have Babies'?

Written by: Jordan Liles

June 18, 2024

One user on X commented of the quote, "That mustache is biblical and has spoken. I agree with it."