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

Ciara O'Rourke
By Ciara O'Rourke September 20, 2023

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wasn’t arrested, despite online claims

If Your Time is short

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wasn’t arrested, but a recent Facebook post could mislead some social media users to believe otherwise. 

"Nancy Pelosi IS SHOCKED by her arrest Tucker Carlson," read the description of a nearly 47-minute video in the Sept. 19 post that has since been deleted. 

It was flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.)

Although the video is critical of the California Democrat, it offers no evidence that Pelosi was arrested. 

That’s because there is none, and she hasn’t been taken into custody. 

Sign up for PolitiFact texts

Pelosi’s social media accounts have been active since this Facebook post was published. OnSept. 19, she posted a photo of members of Congress, including herself, recognizing National Recovery Month, which recognizes Americans who have sought help for substance use disorders.

Featured Fact-check

Although the detention of any member of Congress, let alone the longtime representative, would draw broad media attention, we found no news reports or other credible sources to corroborate the claim that she was arrested.

We also found nothing to substantiate the claim in PACER, a database of federal court records. 

We rate this post False. 

 

Our Sources

Facebook post, Sept. 18, 2023

Nancy Pelosi Facebook account, visited Sept. 19, 2023 

Nancy Pelosi X account, visited Sept. 19, 2023

Nancy Pelosi X account, visited Sept. 19, 2023

Browse the Truth-O-Meter

More by Ciara O'Rourke

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wasn’t arrested, despite online claims

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