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'DOGE dividend' idea, Zelenskyy's approval rating & Medicare telehealth coverage

Plus: Why NASA keeps changing the probability of an asteroid impacting Earth in 2032

Author

Izz LaMagdeleine
February 22, 2025

SATURDAY EDITION

Snopes Debunker

The side of a white man wearing a black suit holding a coffee cup is shown.

Yes, Musk said he'd ask Trump about $5K checks for US taxpayers funded by DOGE savings

This month, social media users claimed Elon Musk said he would talk to President Donald Trump about a suggestion to use DOGE savings to give a $5,000 refund to every taxpaying household in the country.

On Tuesday, Musk said on X that he would "check with the President" about the idea. He was responding to a plan put forward by James Fishback, CEO of investment company Azoria and reportedly an outside adviser to DOGE. Snopes reporter Amelia Clarke has the details.

A magazine cover that shows a white man wearing a crown is shown. At the top, a white word says, "TRUMP." In the bottom left corner, white words say, "LONG LIVE THE KING."

Yes, the White House posted an image of Trump captioned 'Long live the king'

An AI-generated image depicted Trump wearing a crown and the slogan "Long live the king" on a Time magazine cover.

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Support Snopes with our monthly membership

Snopes has been busy fact-checking political claims. But we look into claims on every topic, not just politics. For instance, one of our favorite fact checks that published this week explained why NASA keeps changing the probability of an asteroid impacting Earth, which we feature later in this newsletter. We need your help to keep doing this far-ranging work. By building our membership, we will be able to continue cutting straight to the facts on any subject our readers are interested in. We appreciate any support you can give.

A X post claims to say, "Here's the hard truth: this country's billionaires are tired of subsidizing everyone else's schools, parks, health care, even food and entertainment. You want nature? Buy some land. Health care? Befriend a doctor. Entertainment? Roll around in the mud with your fellow pigs." The account says the post was made by Elon Musk.

Musk did not post that 'billionaires are tired of subsidizing' public services

The post, in which he appeared to tell people to "roll around in the mud with your fellow pigs," originated on a satirical subreddit.

A white man wearing a black suit is pictured next to another white man holding his head in his right hand.

Trump claimed Zelenskyy's approval rating was 4% — but Ukrainian poll said 57%. Here's what we know

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Trump's claim "Russian disinformation."

A blue and white paper that says MEDICARE at the top in white letters is shown on top of a $100 bill.

What we know about Medicare ending telehealth coverage in April 2025

Telehealth coverage allow patients to access health care remotely using digital technology.

Staff Pick

A blue planet is seen from space. Lights can be seen, indicating electricity/life there.

Why NASA keeps changing the probability of an asteroid impacting Earth in 2032

Sensational "city killer" headlines aside, NASA and the European Space Agency reported the asteroid "has a very small chance" of Earth impact.