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HUD 'radical left' pop-ups, Hegseth 'fat generals' quote & Andy Reid

Plus: Contextualizing claim Pope Leo XIV is replacing Cardinal Dolan, who compared Charlie Kirk to a saint

Author

Megan Loe
October 02, 2025

THURSDAY EDITION

Snopes Debunker

An image says, "The Radical Left are going to shut down the government and inflict massive pain on the American people unless they get their $1.5 trillion wish list of demands. The Trump administration wants to keep the government open for the American people." In the background, buildings can be seen, including one that says DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT on the right.

Investigating claims HUD website's 'radical left' pop-ups violated Hatch Act

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s website recently displayed two pop-ups blaming the “radical left” for the government shutdown. Those messages sparked backlash on social media, with some users claiming they violated the Hatch Act — a law that limits certain political activities of federal employees.

But did HUD’s shutdown pop-ups actually violate the law? Experts are divided. Snopes reporter Laerke Christensen broke down the debate.

A Latino man wearing a gray suit is pictured speaking.

Did Ted Cruz say, 'Let's stop attacking pedophiles'? Yes, but it's reportedly a gaffe

The Texas senator delivered the flubbed remark during a committee hearing.

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A white man wearing a blue suit is pictured speaking.

Real Hegseth quote about 'fat generals and admirals' spreads online

The defense secretary called a gathering of top military officials at the Quantico base in Virginia.

A Black woman is pictured speaking next to an image of a white woman.

Digging into rumor Whoopi Goldberg lashed out at Erika Kirk

Numerous posts claimed Goldberg told Kirk to “Sit down, Barbie” or “Sit down, monkey,” and called her a “T.R.U.M.P. puppet.”

Two white men are pictured next to each other on top of a stadium.

Claim that Andy Reid refused to attend 2026 Super Bowl over Charlie Kirk tribute raises red flags

The Kansas City Chiefs coach allegedly said he would "not accept an event that tarnishes true patriotism."

Staff Pick

A white man wearing a white robe is pictured next to another white man wearing a blue suit and holding a microphone.

Contextualizing claim Pope Leo XIV is replacing Cardinal Dolan, who compared Charlie Kirk to a saint

A claim spread online that Pope Leo XIV planned to replace New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan — who had supposedly compared conservative activist Charlie Kirk to the Christian apostle St. Paul — with “pro-immigrant, anti-gun” bishop Daniel Flores.

Snopes reporter Rae Deng found that the rumor mixes fact with fiction. Click below for the full breakdown.