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Snopes Debunker

Investigating rumor Trump spent $3.4M in taxpayer money on 'Great Gatsby' Halloween party

President Trump’s “Great Gatsby”-themed Halloween party at Mar-a-Lago sparked outrage online, with social media users claiming that he spent $3.4 million in taxpayer funds on the bash amid the ongoing government shutdown.

But did taxpayer money actually fund the party? Snopes reporter Laerke Christensen breaks down what we know — including where the $3.4 million figure likely came from.

Inspecting rumor Trump officials are moving to military bases for security reasons

The claim stemmed from two separate reports: one from The Atlantic and the other from The New York Times.

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Snopes has been busy fact-checking political claims, including those related to the Trump administration. But we look into claims on every topic, not just politics. For example, we investigated a rumor that rocker Steven Tyler sent a fleet of helicopters loaded with aid to Jamaica (more on that 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.

USDA prohibits SNAP discounts during shutdown unless retailers have waivers

The SNAP Equal Treatment Rule prevents retailers from treating food stamp customers differently, but using it in this way appears to be unprecedented.

Did Steven Tyler send helicopters loaded with aid to Jamaica?

The story claimed that within just 24 hours, Tyler organized a fleet of helicopters filled with generators, food, clean water and medical supplies.

Did Reagan say fascism would come to America 'in the name of liberalism'?

The quote often attributed to the former Republican president has made the rounds for years.

Staff Pick

JCPenney once advertised a tea kettle that some said resembled Hitler

Rumors have been circulating on social media that JCPenney once advertised a tea kettle that some people claimed looked like Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler.

It’s true. In 2013, a billboard featuring the kettle overlooked the southbound Interstate 405 in Culver City, California. Read the full story to see how JCPenney responded — and what the Culver City mayor had to say about the controversy.