It’s time for our annual roundup of the biggest fibs of the year.
The 2016 presidential campaign has dominated our coverage of false claims. In particular, businessman Donald Trump – who has soared to the top of the GOP field – kept us busy. In the space of six months, he earned 11 Four-Pinocchio ratings, far more than any other candidate.
Most politicians drop a claim after it has been fact-checked as false. But Trump is unusual in that he always insists he is right, no matter how little evidence he has for his claim. Frankly, it’s really not interesting to fact-check The Donald, as his assertions are so easily debunked. Still, he scores a hat trick on this list.
We also devoted a number of columns this year to exploring the dubious statistics about sex trafficking of children in the United States. It’s a terrible crime, but we are giving a special award for statistical mendacity to the many politicians and organizations who have recited dubious facts about it. To their credit, some have pledged to do better.