Looking back on 2025: Unexpectedly true rumors we fact-checked
Even our reporters were surprised by the truth behind some of this year's wildest rumors.
Epstein owned painting of Bill Clinton in a blue dress. Here's context
At Congress' behest, the U.S. Department of Justice released hundreds of files related to Epstein, a convicted sex offender, on Dec. 19, 2025.
Yes, Nicki Minaj's husband is registered sex offender
In 1995, Kenneth Petty was convicted on a charge of attempted rape in the first degree.
Don't sleep on this story about English town canceling fireworks show to let walrus rest
Shouts of "goo goo g'joob" would likely have been just as unwelcome to the walrus as the pops and booms of fireworks.
Looking back on 2025: Rumors that took us down research rabbit holes
Snopes works hard to get to the bottom of every claim it investigates. These rumors took more time than most in 2025.
Was Christmas song with lyric 'Santa came down my chimney' once banned for being too risqué?
The provocative song comes from Sus Records, a YouTube channel known for using AI to make musical "parodies."
Shaking up rumor that first snow globe was invented by accident
The story points to Austrian mechanic Erwin Perzy in 1900, but records show snow globes existed by at least 1878.
Trump took Epstein's jet 'many more times than previously reported,' according to assistant US attorney
A 2020 email from a federal prosecutor, released by the Department of Justice, said Trump flew on the sex offender's jet "at least" eight times.
A brief history of the Christmas tree
Three different theories trace the Christmas tree back to the 1400s or 1500s. Two others go even further back.
Snopes' Christmas playlist: Holiday song rumors we've fact-checked
From "The Twelve Days of Christmas" to "Jingle Bells," this playlist has it all.
Coca-Cola didn't invent modern image of Santa Claus. Here's how centuries of Christmas tradition shaped it
Coca-Cola may have helped popularize Santa's look, but his modern image was already taking shape long before the soft drink company's ads.
Investigating letter Epstein allegedly sent to Larry Nassar that mentioned Trump
The correspondence in question is present in the Department of Justice's files on Epstein, but its authenticity is another matter.
CBS pulled report on Salvadoran prison CECOT because it was a 'blatant hoax'?
Bari Weiss, CBS' editor-in-chief, reportedly held the story about abuses in the facility because it wasn't ready.
Unpacking claim Trump's name was redacted by DOJ from Epstein document after release
There was no proof the DOJ redacted the document after posting it. In fact, there was a copy of it on the DOJ website that didn't redact Trump's name.
Rumor that city in Sweden trained crows to pick up cigarette butts is for the birds
A startup company presented a pilot project in 2022 in Södertälje, Sweden, but the municipality did not proceed with the work.
25 rumors involving Epstein we inspected in 2025
Rumors about Jeffrey Epstein and his alleged connections swirled this year. These ones stood out to our newsroom.
Are poinsettia plants toxic to cats and dogs? Fears of serious harm are overblown
Claims that poinsettias can cause serious health problems or death in pets greatly exaggerate their risk, experts say.
Did Judge Frank Caprio find Barron Trump guilty of assault? We have objections
Caprio died in August 2025. A video of him apparently telling a story about sentencing the youngest Trump son circulated just a few months later.
Image of Trump with young girl emerged after Epstein files dropped. There's no proof it's real
A social media account with a history of publishing clickbait shared the image, claiming the Justice Department "forgot to delete it."
Tâi Siáu-káu 台痟狗 ㄊㄇㄉ 🇳🇫 台灣國
in reply to Snopes (website mirror) • • •* WHO forged it? 🤔
* WHEN was it forged? 🤔
* HOW did it make its way into the Epstein Files? 🤔