The world of news is complex – and false stories and images are often widely shared on social media. Blasting News’s editorial team spots the most popular hoaxes and misleading information every week to help you discern truth from falsehood. Here is some of the most popular Fake News of the week from around the world. This week we follow Donald Trump's press conference form Mar-a-Lago on Feb., Tuesday the 18th.
Please send us Fake News tips or claims to check at this email: factcheck@blastingnews.com or at this BlueSky account @bnfactcheck.bsky.social: Read this page for our submission guidelines.
No, Ukraine did not start the war with Russia
The Lie: During his recent press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump claimed that Ukraine was responsible for starting the conflict with Russia, stating that Ukraine "should have never started it."
The Truth:
Russia Invaded Ukraine: Russia launched an unprovoked invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The war was initiated by Moscow, not Kyiv.
Ukraine is Defending Itself: Ukraine has been fighting to protect its sovereignty and territory. The country did not provoke the war but was forced to defend itself against Russian aggression.
International Condemnation of Russia: The United Nations and NATO have repeatedly condemned Russia’s invasion, calling it illegal under international law.
No, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s approval rating is not 4%
The Lie: Trump claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s approval rating is as low as 4%.
The Truth:
Polling Data Contradicts Trump’s Claim: Recent surveys show Zelenskyy’s approval rating is much higher, often around 50%.
Public Support Remains Strong: While support has fluctuated due to the prolonged war, there is no credible evidence that his approval rating has fallen to 4%.
It is false that the U.S. has not given $350 billion in aid to Ukraine
The Lie: Trump claimed that the United States has provided Ukraine with $350 billion in aid since the war began.
The Truth:
The Real Numbers: The actual amount of U.S. assistance to Ukraine is significantly lower. The U.S. has sent around $67 billion in weapons and $31.5 billion in financial support since 2022.
Trump Overstates the Figure: The total aid, including humanitarian assistance, is far below the $350 billion he claimed.
U.S. Congress Approves Aid Packages: All aid provided to Ukraine has been approved through bipartisan agreements in Congress and does not match Trump’s exaggerated figure.
