If yesterday’s Presidential debate taught us anything, it’s that fact-checking is required when Donald Trump speaks.
Whether it be his claim that a COVID-19 vaccine is “weeks away” or the declaration that his government has “built the greatest economy in history”, a number of the President’s statements have already been proven false.
And it’s not just during the debate where Trump’s bold claims have been proven false.
Facebook has recently removed a number of campaign ads that claim refugees were responsible for spreading COVID-19.
According to Business Insider, one such ad said: “Joe Biden wants to INCREASE refugees from Syria and Somalia by 700% PER CENT. Biden said as President he would make sure to IMMEDIATELY SURGE the border with all those who are seeking asylum.”
The ad also included a video including text about the “health risks” involved with such immigration.
Facebook’s ad library data shows that this ad reached between 500,000 and one million people in North Carolina, with between 60,000 and 70,000 impressions.
Speaking with NBC, Facebook spokesperson Andy Stone explained why Facebook had decided to block these ads.
“We rejected these ads because we don’t allow claims that people’s physical safety, health, or survival is threatened by people on the basis of their national origin or immigration status,” Stone said.
