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USDA inspector general, Politico & FBI academy

Plus: Vikings believed a goat dispensing endless beer from its udders awaited them in heaven?

Author

Izz LaMagdeleine
February 08, 2025

SATURDAY EDITION

Snopes Debunker

Many chickens are shown in a small enclosure. Some are drinking from a machine that contains water.

USDA inspector general didn't order 'mass extermination' of birds to drive up cost of poultry, eggs

Following the forcible removal of Phyllis Fong — the former inspector general of the U.S. Department of Agriculture — from her office after she ignored President Donald Trump's termination order in late January, posts shared online began to claim she was "one of the key players behind the artificial inflation of poultry and egg prices in the U.S."

There is no evidence Fong "personally ordered" mass bird exterminations in order to drive up the cost of poultry and eggs. The post did not provide any sources or evidence for its claims, and it appears to have taken nuggets of truth and twisted them with conspiratorial language to push an agenda. Snopes reporter Taija PerryCook has the details.

A white man wearing a black suit grins towards the camera.

USAID paid $44K to Politico, not over $8M as White House claimed. It was for subscriptions

Trump, the White House press secretary and DOGE Director Elon Musk promoted misleading statements about USAID and Politico.

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A guard wearing a vest that says "GUARDIA NACIONAL" while holing a gun is seen standing outside. His back faces the camera.

Mexico also sent troops to border during Biden administration

Trump has said he would delay imposing tariffs for a month as Mexico agreed to send troops to the border.

A white woman wearing a purple top looks towards the left. She's standing behind a podium that says CLINTON GLOBAL INITIATIVE in purple. Below, WHAT'S WORKING is also in smaller purple text.

No, Chelsea Clinton didn't receive $84M from USAID

Posts shared online connected the rumor to her work for the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation.

A person appears to paint over a mural that states "core values" like leadership, fairness, integrity and diversity. The paint color is gray.

Photo appears to show 'core values' mural painted over at FBI Academy. Here's what we know

The New York Times reported the mural was located at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Staff Pick

An image shows a goat eating from a tree. Above the image, a caption says, "Vikings believed that a giant goat whose udders provide an endless supply of beer was waiting for them in Valhalla (Viking Heaven)."

Vikings believed a goat dispensing endless beer from its udders awaited them in heaven?

Valhalla is where Vikings believed fallen soldiers went if the Norse god Odin chose to reward them.