PolitiFact fact‑checks politicians' claims about 2025 shutdown
PolitiFact (via PBS NewsHour) reviews and verifies competing claims by leading politicians about the 2025 U.S. government shutdown, focusing on statements about program funding, who is to blame, and misleading viral content. The piece evaluates House Speaker Mike Johnson’s claim that WIC will 'not be funded,' explains USDA contingency language that WIC operations continue subject to available funding, notes WIC serves about 6.9 million people, and calls out an AI‑generated video falsely depicting Democratic leaders used by the White House to mock opponents.
Politics
Government/Regulatory
🔍 Key Facts
- USDA contingency guidance says WIC operations continue 'subject to the availability of funding' rather than being automatically shuttered; WIC serves about 6.9 million participants.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson publicly stated WIC would 'not be funded'; PolitiFact flags that as omission/overstatement given contingency options for states and manufacturers.
- PolitiFact documents a falsified AI‑generated video that depicts Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Sen. Chuck Schumer in fabricated remarks used in partisan messaging.
- Contextual political fact: Republicans control the presidency and both chambers, but Senate procedure means ~60 votes would be needed to advance some funding measures—giving Democrats negotiating leverage.
📍 Contextual Background
- The United States federal government entered a partial shutdown on 2025-10-01 after the midnight funding deadline passed with Democrats and Republicans failing to agree on a funding bill.