Simon Parkes

Is Ukraine a part of Russia and can Russia enter at any time? No, that's not true: Ukraine has been internationally recognized as an independent country since 1991. The claim appeared in a post published by simonparkes.org on February 22, 2022, titled "Ukraine Is A Part Of Russia, Meaning Russia Can Enter At Any Time..." (archived here), which opened: Ukraine…

Were Russian and Ukrainian soldiers filmed dancing together, and is this evidence that there is no conflict between Russia and Ukraine and that the Russian army is actually in Ukraine to battle the Deep State? No, that's not true: This video showing unidentified soldiers dancing was posted online on February 18, 2022, a full week before Russia launched its attack…

Are upwards of 30 states on alert with their National Guard activated or commanders told to move to a prepared footing? No, this is missing context: "The National Guard is currently supporting COVID missions in 46 states and territories," a National Guard spokesman told Lead Stories. The National Guard is activated in those states but is not "on alert" for…

Were all commercial flights to and from Washington, D.C., canceled on October 11, 2021? No, that's not true: There is no evidence that happened. Flights still were moving as planned in the morning and early afternoon on October 11, according to the Reagan International Airport arrival and departure page, as well as the Dulles International Airport arrival and departure page…

Did Joe Biden say that he was not the president? Yes, but he said it before he was elected president: During a campaign rally in March 2020, Biden, who was responding to hecklers, said that he was not the president at the time, which was true because the incumbent was then-President Donald Trump. The claim appeared in a manipulated video…

Does Facebook have any immediate plans to reinstate Donald Trump's account? No, that's not true: Facebook suspended the now former president's account on January 7, 2021. The suspension is for at least two years, at which point Facebook says it will reinstate Trump's account if it determines there's no longer a public safety risk. The claim appeared in a blog…

Does a photograph of the Oval Office show a corner wall coming apart in the room, proving that it is a "film set" and not in the White House? No, that's not true. A picture of President Joe Biden and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi shows a well-documented door in the round-shaped room is slightly ajar. The vertical line…

Was the Biden inauguration pre-recorded? No, that's not true: Joe Biden's inauguration was a live event that took place on January 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C., at the Capitol Building. Conspiracy theorist Charlie Ward provides no evidence other than saying he had a video hours before the live broadcasts and that he "shared it with all my people." He does…