Leading Report is an American website and Twitter account that describes itself as a "leading source for breaking news". It is known for promoting misinformation and conspiracy theories about COVID-19 and United States politics.[1]
History
The Leading Report Twitter account was created in May 2022. A corresponding website was later created in February 2023. The fact-checking website Science Feedback traced the website's ownership to a former baseball athlete and a car wash owner.[1]
Misinformation and conspiracy theories
Leading Report has promoted misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines,[2][3][4][5][1] climate change denial[1] and false claims of electoral fraud in the U.S.,[6][7][1] including the "ballot mule" conspiracy theory.[1] It has also promoted the false claim that hydroxychloroquine is effective against COVID-19.[1]
In May 2023, Leading Report falsely claimed that Kevin McCarthy had called for the "immediate expulsion and possible prosecution of Rep. Adam Schiff for committing crimes of treason against the United States".[8]
In October 2023, after the Israel–Hamas war started, Leading Report tweeted that Hamas claimed to have received support from Ukraine. Hamas had not made such a statement.[9]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Teoh, Flora (2023-10-31). "Who's Behind The (Mis)Leading Report?". Science Feedback. Retrieved 2023-11-30.
- ^ "Neurological adverse events are very rare after COVID-19 vaccination and less frequent than after SARS-CoV-2 infection". Health Feedback. 2023-05-22. Retrieved 2023-11-30.
- ^ Funke, Daniel (2023-07-31). "Posts distort UK data on Covid vaccines, death". Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 2023-11-30.
- ^ Yandell, Kate (2023-08-31). "COVID-19 Vaccines Have Not Been Shown to Cause 'Turbo Cancer'". FactCheck.org. Retrieved 2023-11-30.
- ^ Summers, William (September 14, 2023). "Senator shares baseless claim linking vaccines to stillbirths". Australian Associated Press. Retrieved 2023-11-30.
- ^ Marcelo, Philip (2023-08-25). "No, there isn't a new lawsuit revealing 2020 ballot fraud in Georgia. An old video is recirculating". Associated Press. Retrieved 2023-11-30.
- ^ McCreary, Joedy (September 20, 2023). "Ballot paper, not bad guys, caused Arizona's Election Day printer problems | Fact check". USA Today. Retrieved 2023-11-30.
- ^ Funke, Daniel (2023-05-19). "House speaker has not called for US congressman's prosecution". Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 2023-11-30.
- ^ Payne, Ed (2023-10-09). "Fact Check: Hamas Did NOT Claim Ukraine Sold Them Weapons Used To Attack Israel In October 2023". Lead Stories. Retrieved 2023-11-30.