Is it authentic?

Is the context accurate?

Is there evidence that proves the claim?

Is it based on solid reasoning?

Has it been posted or confirmed by a credible source?

While Harvard does offer free online courses, they aren’t new and weren’t created in response to Trump administration actions. 

No, Harvard did not launch a free online course to recognize a “dictatorship takeover.” 

“Fact Check: Harvard Is NOT Launching Free Online Courses About Recognizing Dictatorship In Response To Recent Events -- Existing Program, No ‘Dictatorship’ Course”

No, Harvard didn’t launch a free course on recognizing a 'dictatorship takeover'

 a series of online courses in response to Trump administration actions targeting the school, such as revoking its ability to 

Harvard University has offered free online courses through its 

The program does not include any courses on recognizing dictatorship takeovers.

A social media rumor claims Harvard University is launching a series of free online courses that includes understanding the constitution and recognizing a “dictatorship takeover” in response to Trump administration actions targeting the school, but Harvard did no such thing. Let’s look at the facts. 

No, Harvard didn’t launch a free course on recognizing a “dictatorship takeover”

No, this rumor was widely shared by partisans.

Controversial news stories are frequently exploited online by purveyors of misinformation who distort (or invent) facts in divisive social media posts. These false rumors can “feel” true at first but can often be debunked with these quick fact-checking habits:

Do you trust the account sharing this information? Take a second to click the profile page to determine if the post is from a credible source.

If a viral story has a single source, remain skeptical. Do a quick web search and see if the topic has been covered by a standards-based news outlet.

Examine Harvard’s website and official social media pages for additional context. Remember, a lack of information is often a sign a rumor is false.

This is not an authentic quote from Attorney General Pam Bondi or an authentic screenshot of a Fox News broadcast. 

This infographic provides five steps for vetting news sources and includes a list of “trust busters” to watch out for in your information diet.


 Is it legit? Five steps for vetting a news source

No, a Fox News spokesperson confirmed Bondi never made this statement. 

The News Literacy Project identified seven simple steps that help you know what to trust. These steps can apply to information you encounter in the moment and over time. As these behaviors become ingrained in your information consumption habits, you will deepen your expertise.

How to know what to trust

“Pam Bondi said it’s ‘illegal to call yourself The Boss’ about Bruce Springsteen?” 

“Fact Check: Pam Bondi Did NOT Say ‘It’s Illegal to Call Yourself The Boss’” 

No, Attorney General Bondi didn’t say it’s illegal for Springsteen to be ‘The Boss’

 “it’s illegal to call yourself ‘The Boss’ if you’re not in charge of the entire country” and Fox News did not report that she did.

 during a concert in Manchester, England, in May 2025.

President Donald Trump responded on social media, calling for a 

 into the support from Springsteen and other celebrities for Kamala Harris when she was running for president.

As President Donald Trump and musician Bruce Springsteen traded criticisms and insults in May 2025, a rumor circulated online that Attorney General Pam Bondi said it was illegal “to call yourself ‘The Boss,’’’ referring to Springsteen’s longstanding nickname. But the quote isn’t real. Let’s look at the facts. 

No, this post originated with a comedian and was spread on social media by partisans. 

This infographic summarizes key concepts related to misinformation.

Misinformation Infographic

In brief: Misinformation

Satirical content can get mistaken as genuine news when it “feels” true and appeals to confirmation bias. Remembering these tips can make this easier to spot and avoid sharing as real:

Take a moment to assess the content in question. In this case, the background displays “Department of Injustice” and there’s a watermark for “jamboschlarmbo.”

When a social media handle is visible on a piece of content, it’s good practice to do a quick search for the account for additional context. The profile of @jamboschlarmbo states that the account is satire.

If this were a genuine quote from Bondi, an internet search would find numerous news articles about it. Remember, a lack of results raises questions about a post’s credibility.

This is not an authentic graphic from CNN. 

The evidence – a search of CNN’s website and a statement from a network spokesperson – shows that the graphic and statistics are not authentic. 

“Made-up CNN graphic circulates after India-Pakistan truce” 

“Fake CNN graphic claims India faced more losses than Pakistan in recent conflict” 

“Fake CNN graphic comparing India and Pakistan’s conflict statistics circulates online” 

Fake stats spread over India, Pakistan conflict via impostor content

Statistics displayed in the graphic comparing military and civilian losses between the two countries are 

 on May 10, 2025, after a deadly four-day military conflict sparked by the 

Facts about the conflict were distorted online through the 

spread of misinformation and disinformation

An image of a graphic with CNN’s logo showing India suffering more losses than Pakistan in their recent conflict is widely circulating on social media, but the statistics and graphic are both made up. Let’s look at the facts.

No, this graphic is a fabrication and did not originate with a credible source. 

Presenting a falsehood as if it originated with a reputable news source is a common method to spread misinformation. Here are a few tips to spot this kind of impostor content:

Who posted this content? Are they a trustworthy source? Considering their credibility is a good first step.

Confirm whether the original source is real. 

This image graphic carries a CNN logo, but a search of its website and social media doesn’t turn up any matching results for this content.

Check for a second source with supporting evidence and additional reporting to confirm the post is not misinformation.