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Lie of the Year 2016: Readers' Choice poll

National

Angie Drobnic Holan

By Angie Drobnic Holan December 2, 2016

PolitiFact will soon announce our Lie of the Year -- the most significant falsehood of 2016, as chosen by our editors and reporters. We're also inviting PolitiFact readers to vote for the Readers' Choice award. Vote using the ballot below or use this link to our survey.

Create your own user feedback survey

PolitiFact

stated on September 27, 2020 in a speech:

Says Amy Coney Barrett “has a written track record, disagreeing adamantly with the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the ACA. In fact, she publicly criticized Chief Justice Roberts’ opinion upholding the law eight years ago.”

mostly-true

mostly-true

Instagram posts

stated on September 22, 2020 in an Instagram post:

Like Al-Qaeda and ISIS, Amy Coney Barrett has said her “end goal is to end the separation of church and state & build a ‘Kingdom of God’ in the United States.”

false

false

stated on March 23, 2019 in a speech:

Says that the Council on American-Islamic Relations was founded in response to 9/11.

false

false

stated on September 4, 2016 in an interview on "Meet the Press":

Says Hillary Clinton "wants to increase Syrian refugees to this country by 550 percent."

true

true

Antonio Sabato Jr.

stated on July 19, 2016 in an interview with ABC News:

Says President Barack Obama is "absolutely" a Muslim.

pants-fire

pants-fire

stated on June 22, 2016 in a speech in New York City:

Says Hillary Clinton "said she was under attack (in Bosnia) but the attack turned out to be young girls handing her flowers."

true

true

stated on January 17, 2016 in an interview on "Meet the Press":

Hostages were released as soon as Ronald Reagan took office because Iran perceived that America was "no longer under the command of someone weak."

pants-fire

pants-fire

stated on September 27, 2015 in an interview on ABC's "This Week":

"We've had examples like in Yuma County, where we've been able to stop 97 percent of the illegal (immigration) flow, and those programs, they abolish."

barely-true

barely-true

stated on October 14, 2014 in a campaign ad:

Says Rick Scott changed his promise from 700,000 jobs created "on top of what normal growth would be" to just 700,000 jobs.

true

true

stated on March 3, 2014 in in an interview on CNN:

On the economic stimulus.

half-flip

half-flip

Americans For Tax Reform

stated on April 14, 2014 in in a press release:

"Obama has proposed 442 tax hikes since taking office."

barely-true

barely-true

National Republican Congressional Committee

stated on February 12, 2014 in a television ad:

"300,000 Floridians will lose their current health plans" because of Obamacare, a plan Alex Sink supports.

half-true

half-true

Janet Napolitano

stated on August 27, 2013 in a speech at the National Press Club:

The 2010 DREAM Act failed despite "strong bipartisan support."

barely-true

barely-true

stated on May 29, 2013 in a chain email:

Says the word "Dhimmitude" is on page 107 of the health care law and means "Muslims are specifically exempted from the government mandate to purchase insurance."

pants-fire

pants-fire

stated on May 3, 2013 in a position on legislation:

On an early date for Florida's presidential primary

full-flop

full-flop

Instagram posts
stated on December 11, 2024 in an Instagram post:

Video shows “Yellowstone’s super volcano is now really, really exploding.”

By Loreben Tuquero • December 17, 2024
Facebook posts
stated on December 15, 2024 in a post:

A video shows President Joe Biden saying, “There are no drones over the United States.”

By Sara Swann • December 16, 2024
Instagram posts
stated on December 15, 2024 in an Instagram post:

“The Pentagon has confirmed that the mysterious drones appearing across the globe are NOT of earthly origin.”

By Jeff Cercone • December 16, 2024
Threads posts
stated on December 10, 2024 in Threads posts:

“Pride flags permanently prohibited at FIFA Club World Cup 2025.”

By Sofia Ahmed • December 16, 2024
Threads posts
stated on December 11, 2024 in a post on Threads:

Photos show mysterious drones reported flying over parts of New Jersey in November and December 2024.

By Madison Czopek • December 13, 2024
Instagram posts
stated on December 12, 2024 in an Instagram post:

Video shows Mitch McConnell appearing in a press conference with a bandage around his head.

By Sofia Ahmed • December 13, 2024
Facebook posts
stated on December 12, 2024 in a post:

Images show Taylor Swift with Elon Musk promoting a household energy consumption reduction device.

By Sara Swann • December 13, 2024
Instagram posts
stated on December 5, 2024 in an Instagram post:

“After meeting with Elon Musk, Republican leader Sen. John Thune announces plans to cut Social Security.”

By Madison Czopek • December 13, 2024
Facebook posts
stated on November 30, 2024 in a video:

Six hundred body bags were “filled the first day” of Hurricane Helene recovery in North Carolina.

By Ciara O'Rourke • December 13, 2024
Viral image
stated on December 10, 2024 in an Instagram post:

“Dr. Assad will return to ophthalmology after being deposed as president of Syria and plans to set up an eye clinic in Russia.”

By Ciara O'Rourke • December 13, 2024