Oprah

Did Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist, publicly say in January 2025 that he "will leave the USA if the Epstein Client List is released"? No, that's not true: Lead Stories found no credible reports to support Gates' supposed announced departure. Court materials detailing Jeffrey Epstein's contacts were made public in January 2024. Neither Gates nor any reputable news organization…

Has Oprah Winfrey died as of January 17, 2025, as implied by viral social media posts? No, that's not true: An article attached to a post implying that Winfrey died did not provide evidence of her supposed death nor mention anywhere in the article text that she had died. Winfrey was active on her verified social media accounts the same…

Did an Oprah Winfrey charity called "Coats for Kids" take in over $140 million while only purchasing "310 jackets" as of December 2024? No, that's not true: The information in this post initially appeared in an article on a self-described satirical website that includes the disclaimer, "Everything on this website is fiction." Even so, some social media users shared the…

Did Oprah Winfrey say she was leaving the U.S. in response to the 2024 presidential election results as a social media post claimed? No, that's not true: She was still in the U.S. hosting a podcast event at her California home after this social media post's publication. The post came from a Facebook account that categorizes itself as "satire/parody". The…

Did the recipe for Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar change after the company was purchased by Katy Perry -- and now, in partnership with Bill Gates, is the vinegar brand using "Apeel apples," which contain trans fats? No, that's not true: This rumor is false about products from two different companies. Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar does not use apples coated with…

Does a video show Lady Gaga describing the trauma she experienced at one of Sean "Diddy" Combs' "freak off" parties? No, that's not true: The video clip is from a 2021 interview with Stefani Germanotta, the singer's real name, in a documentary series produced by Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry. She is talking about the sexual abuse she experienced from…

Did Liz Cheney tweet questioning why people won't get more than $750 for hurricane damage, saying it's because Donald Trump won't let House Speaker Mike Johnson pass a hurricane relief bill? No, that's not true: The X account that originally posted the fake screenshot carries a disclaimer, "This account itself is not a parody but most of the images we…

Does a video show a Kamala Harris staffer saying the vice president "doesn't" own a firearm? No, that's not true: A video posted to social media is sped up and has an incorrect subtitle. The original video played at normal speed shows the staffer said Harris "does own a firearm" although she stutters a bit on the word "own" and…

Did Kamala Harris use a teleprompter during her September 2024 interview with Oprah Winfrey? No, that's not true: The teleprompter seen in a video clip online is placed well out of Harris' line of vision -- and in the full version of the interview, Harris does not turn her head to peek at it. The device was actually facing Winfrey,…

Did Mel Gibson accuse Oprah Winfrey of selling children? No, that's not true: "None of this is true," Gibson's longtime publicist told Lead Stories. The post offered no evidence for the claim that the Hollywood actor was "gearing up" to confront Winfrey. Had Gibson done so it would have been extensively covered by the news media. The claim appeared in…