Lead Stories is reporting that it has debunked several viral claims circulating online. It said a video purporting to show President Donald Trump unveiling a "Trump 2028" hat in the Oval Office was digitally altered. The original Fox News segment, broadcast March 20, 2025, showed Trump revealing the Declaration of Independence, not a hat. The fact-checking organization noted the presence of a "Dilley Meme Team" watermark and confirmed digital alteration using AI detection tools.
Lead Stories also said an image of Judge Hannah Dugan crying in an orange jumpsuit, claiming she was arrested by the FBI, is not real. It reported that the image appears to have been generated using artificial intelligence tools, with two detection tools rating the chance of AI use at over 99%.
Additionally, Lead Stories addressed a widely shared image from Pope Francis' funeral, which had been digitally edited to change the color and tone of clothes worn by several dignitaries, including former President Joe Biden. Some observers had criticized President Trump for wearing a blue suit to the funeral based on the altered image.
The fact-checking outlet further clarified that it is not legal to own a child sex slave in California, debunking a false claim circulating online.