Stand up for the facts!

Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.

More Info

I would like to contribute

Samantha Putterman
By Samantha Putterman March 10, 2020

No, Joe Biden didn’t confuse Idaho and Iowa

If Your Time is short

  • This is a fabricated story from a satirical website.

Joe Biden has faced criticism on the campaign trail for sometimes fumbling and mixing up his words.

But one website claims that the former vice president mixed up the state he was in during a recent campaign stop.

The site, called "The Boise Times," published a story with the following headline: 

"Joe Biden Mistakes Idaho for Iowa in Visit to Boise Fundraiser." 

The story was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)

Sign up for PolitiFact texts

This isn’t a legitimate story.

The article tells a tale about Biden making a gaffe and saying "Iowa potatoes" instead of "Idaho potatoes." 

Featured Fact-check

The website is satirical, but social media users who view only the headline wouldn’t know that. Beyond a few jokes, there is no disclaimer on the story’s page that the tale is fabricated. 

Readers have to visit the website’s about page, where the one-line disclaimer about it being "Idaho’s #1 source for satirical and parody news" is at the bottom.

Pants on Fire!

Our Sources

Browse the Truth-O-Meter

More by Samantha Putterman

No, Joe Biden didn’t confuse Idaho and Iowa

Support independent fact-checking.
Become a member!

In a world of wild talk and fake news, help us stand up for the facts.

Sign me up