The Sift® newsletter
RumorGuard examples
April 14, 2025
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Note:
These slides are designed to be delivered to students in �slideshow mode.
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Rumor #1
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The claim
A social media post claims that billionaire investor Warren Buffett said President Donald Trump is “making the best economic moves I have seen in 50 years.”
But this isn’t a genuine quote. Let’s look at the facts.
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The News Literacy Project
The included “evidence”
Let’s watch the video.
Keep an eye out for any evidence to support the claim that this quote is genuine.
The video doesn’t include footage of Buffett saying this phrase.
It also doesn’t mention where or when he supposedly said it.
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The News Literacy Project
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Check credible news sources
This video does not present any evidence that this is something Buffett actually said. Let’s check to see if any standards-based news outlets have reported on this.
Tip: When investigating a quote, it’s a good idea to search for the person who allegedly said it (“Warren Buffett” in quote marks) and the exact phrase.
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Check credible news sources
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Discussion question
This is a fabricated quote.
Why do you think the person who made this false claim chose to attribute it to Warren Buffett?
Buffett is a very successful investor.
Many people find his opinion on the economy to be credible.
As a result, a fabricated quote from him can make a falsehood seem more convincing.
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Rumor #2
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The claim
A social media post claims that a video shows a “huge turnout of protesters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin,” for a rally against President Donald Trump and senior advisor Elon Musk.
While this video is real, it doesn’t show a 2025 protest.
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The video
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Consider the source
When you’re looking at social media content, it’s important to consider the source.
Are you familiar with “Authentic Voice?”
Just because a source is unfamiliar it doesn’t mean the content is false. However, if you don’t know enough about the source to trust them, it’s good to remain skeptical.
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A reverse image search
Reverse image searching is a great skill to develop in order to quickly investigate viral content.
What step do you need to take before doing a reverse image search on a video?
If I want to do a reverse IMAGE search, I have to use an image. Let’s take a screenshot!
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A reverse image search
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Discussion question
Taking an older photograph or video of a large crowd and sharing it as if it shows a recent political event is a common tactic used to spread misinformation.
Why do you think this tactic is so common?
It creates the impression that an idea has widespread support.
Pairing a genuine but unrelated photo with a fabricated claim is quick and easy.
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These exercises originated in the April 14, 2025, issue of The Sift® newsletter from the News Literacy Project. You can read archives of the newsletter and subscribe here.
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newslit.org
Follow us at @NewsLitProject
Thank you!
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