Stand up for the facts!

Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.

More Info

I would like to contribute

$

It’s Election Day(s) for Lie of the Year

By April Hunt
December 11, 2015

And the award, for the most significant falsehood or exaggeration of the past 12 months, goes to …

We will let you know later this month, what the Lie of the Year and Readers’ Choice winners are.

The competition is tough, as it always is. Get caught up on our 11 finalists, as chosen by our editors and reporters, and link to our survey so you can vote for your favorite. We accept write-ins.

We also have a mobile-friendly version of this survey

 

 

Our Sources

See individual reports.

Browse the Truth-O-Meter

More by April Hunt
Viral image
stated on November 17, 2015 a viral meme on social media
While Americans pray for Paris, the government has acted on mandatory national vaccinations.
Pants on Fire!
Tim Echols
stated on October 26, 2015 an opinion piece in a trade magazine
"Our state has no major rivers to produce big hydropower."
Mostly True
Reader
stated on October 24, 2015 a Tweet to PolitiFact Georgia
"How is a misogynist bigot of epic proportions (like U.S. Rep. Steven Smith) allowed to serve?"
Pants on Fire!
Slice & Pint brewpub
stated on September 24, 2015 the fall menu
Brewpubs can't sell growlers of their beer to customers.  
True
Georgia Voice
stated on September 17, 2015 a news story
No openly gay man has ever been elected to the Georgia Legislature.
True
Matthew Charles Cardinale
stated on September 13, 2015 an opinion piece in the Saporta Report
Tens of thousands of Atlanta households pay more than 30 percent of their income towards rent.
True
Ben Carson
stated on September 16, 2015 the second GOP debate
There are a "multitude" of vaccines that do not prevent deadly and crippling diseases.
False
Internet commenters
stated on September 10, 2015 comments on various local blogs
Annexation would lead to overcrowding at Decatur’s city schools.
False
E. Frank Stephenson
stated on August 14, 2015 a Georgia Public Policy Foundation blog post
"Contrary to media reports, Georgia’s gas tax change led to no price increase at the pump."
Half-True

Claim overstates film industry’s impact on Georgia economy

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
stated on January 7, 2026 a press briefing

stated on January 14, 2026 a statement

Social Media
stated on February 14, 2026 social media posts



stated on January 20, 2026 an op-ed


Donald Trump
stated on February 3, 2026 remarks in the Oval Office


Social Media
stated on February 8, 2026 social media posts





Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
stated on stated on November 17, 2025 in remarks at George Washington University:

Donald Trump
stated on February 2, 2026 an interview with Dan Bongino