The claim: Video shows Sen. Marco Rubio expose Dr. Anthony Fauci ‘fake data crime’ after Fauci begs for money
The caption of a Jan. 1 Facebook video claims it shows Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fl., exposing criminal activity by Dr. Anthony Fauci, who was then chief medical advisor to the president.
“Watch Rubio ENDS Fauci’s career with BOMBSHELL f.ake data cr.ime after RIDICULOUS money begging move,” reads the video’s caption.
The video was viewed more than 5,000 times in less than 24 hours.
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Our rating: False
The video shows Rubio questioning Fauci about COVID-19 restrictions for U.S. travelers. He does not accuse Fauci of a crime or falsifying data. Fauci does say COVID-19 research requires additional resources, but he makes this comment to a different lawmaker after Rubio’s questioning is complete.
Rubio questions Fauci about U.S. COVID-19 policies but doesn’t mention crime
The video featured in the social media post is a clip from a May 17, 2022, hearing of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies. The hearing was on the 2023 budget request for the National Institutes of Health.
In the video, Rubio questions Fauci about the policies governing COVID-19 testing requirements for immigrants and U.S. citizens entering the U.S. He also questions health official Dr. Lawrence Tabak about the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapies for minors.
Rubio does not mention “data crime” or accuse Fauci of faking data.
Later in the hearing, Fauci says “additional resources” are required to develop better COVID-19 vaccines. However, this was in response to a question from Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wa., after Rubio concluded his questioning.
This style of misinformation, in which a misleading caption is paired with a legitimate video, is called “false framing,” Mike Caulfield, a research scientist at the University of Washington’s Center for an Informed Public, previously told USA TODAY.
While the caption is obviously wrong if someone watches the entire video, “the majority of people scroll past these with the sound off,” Caulfield said. “The fact it autoplays silently makes it engaging, without undermining the (inaccurate) framing.”
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USA TODAY reached out to the Facebook user who shared the post for comment.
Our fact-check sources:
- C-SPAN, May 17, 2022, National Institutes of Health fiscal year 2023 budget request
- Mike Caulfield, Oct. 18, 2022, Email interview with USA TODAY
- USA TODAY, Nov. 4, 2022, Fact check: Video shows House GOP criticizing Jan. 6 committee, not laughing at Liz Cheney
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Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.
