The FBI uncovered “256 texts between Adam Schiff and Jeffrey Epstein”
No, the FBI didn’t find over 250 texts between Schiff, Epstein. A satire site made it up
If your time is short
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The claim originated on a satirical website that carries a disclaimer that says all of its content is fiction.
There’s no evidence to support a viral Facebook post that says the FBI found 256 texts between Democratic U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff and the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
This is one of many false claims that purport supposed connections between various public figures and Epstein, who was accused of running a sex-trafficking ring before he died in jail.
The post says, “FBI uncover 256 texts between Adam Schiff and Jeffery Epstein. My how this is all coming together.”
It was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)
The fabricated claim originated on the website America’s Last Line of Defense, which contains a disclaimer that says everything posted on it is fiction.
The made-up story says that U.S. Attorney General William Barr launched an FBI investigation into “his political rivals” that found 256 emails between Schiff and Epstein on Hillary Clinton’s private email server.
None of that is true. Barr has ordered no such investigation.
The site is run by a man named Christopher Blair, who has been publishing fabricated stories for years and says his goal is to trick conservatives into sharing false claims on social media.
RELATED: If you’re fooled by fake news, this man probably wrote it
Blair’s headlines are often copied and shared in Facebook posts without any disclaimer, leading people to believe the fictitious posts. That’s what happened in this case.
Pants on Fire!
Our Sources
Facebook posts, July 9, 2020
ALLOD, "FBI Investigation Uncovers 256 Emails Between Schiff and Epstein," July 7, 2020
