Bill McCarthy

Bill McCarthy

Staff writer

Bill McCarthy is a staff writer covering misinformation, the media and politics for PolitiFact. He leads PolitiFact’s fact-checking of political pundits for PunditFact. Previously, he worked as a reporter for PolitiFact North Carolina via the Raleigh News & Observer. He graduated cum laude from Duke University, where he studied public policy and journalism.

bmccarthy@poynter.org

Featured Statements

Latest Fact-Checks By Bill McCarthy

Clear
TikTok posts
TikTok posts
stated on July 19, 2022 in a TikTok post:
An image shows Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in front of a cross with a figurine of former President Donald Trump on it.
False
By Bill McCarthy • July 21, 2022
Instagram posts
Instagram posts
stated on July 19, 2022 in an Instagram post:
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was “faking being arrested” during an abortion-rights protest outside the Supreme Court.
False
By Bill McCarthy • July 20, 2022
Facebook posts
Facebook posts
stated on July 15, 2022 in a Facebook post:
"Antifa was already inside the Capitol with floor plans dressed as Trump supporters" on Jan. 6, 2021, proving the attack “was 100% a setup."
False
By Bill McCarthy • July 19, 2022
Viral image
Viral image
stated on July 12, 2022 in a viral image:
An image shows an “all aboard the Trump train” truck crashed into a bridge.
False
By Bill McCarthy • July 15, 2022
Instagram posts
Instagram posts
stated on July 12, 2022 in Instagram posts:
Actor Tom Holland is “confirmed to have died.”
False
By Bill McCarthy • July 14, 2022
Facebook posts
Facebook posts
stated on July 11, 2022 in Facebook posts:
Images from Hunter Biden’s laptop show Joe Biden naked with a young girl.
Pants on Fire!
By Bill McCarthy • July 13, 2022
Instagram posts
Instagram posts
stated on July 10, 2022 in an Instagram post:
Shinzo Abe was assassinated because he “didn’t mandate vaccines, sent 1.6 million doses back and gave citizens ivermectin.”
False
By Bill McCarthy • July 11, 2022
X posts
X posts
stated on July 7, 2022 in in tweets:
An image shows that “following his resignation, Boris Johnson has escaped to the sea.”
False
By Bill McCarthy • July 8, 2022
Facebook posts
Facebook posts
stated on June 30, 2022 in Facebook posts:
President Donald Trump was in a presidential limousine as he left his Jan. 6, 2021, rally at the White House Ellipse.
False
By Bill McCarthy • July 8, 2022
Facebook posts
Facebook posts
stated on July 2, 2022 in a Facebook post:
"Fox offers Chris Wallace's Sunday spot to Candace Owens."
False
By Bill McCarthy • July 7, 2022
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Latest Articles By Bill McCarthy

Trump text shown during July 12 hearing of House Jan. 6 committee
Michael Stenger escorts Pence after Capitol attack
Cassidy Hutchinson takes oath for June 28 hearing on Jan. 6 attack
Jan. 6 House committee June 16 hearing with Pence in the background
Trump and Barr in oval office 7-15-20
Jan. 6 committee hearing June 9 for Fox News story
Arizona Maricopa evening sky voting precinct sign
America First SOS candidates compilation photo
SPANISH: Crime scene tape around Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas
Payton Gendron for Tucker Carlson story
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