Fact Check

Trent Franks on Pope Francis and Poverty

Rumor: Rep. Trent Franks said Pope Francis does not understand scripture, which he claimed does not obligate Christians to help the poor.

Published May 16, 2015

Claim:

Claim:   Rep. Trent Franks said Pope Francis does not understand scripture, which he claimed does not obligate Christians to help the poor.


FALSE


Example: [Collected via email, May 2015]


Did Rep. Trent Franks really say, on 05/13/2015, "I question if
the pope understands scripture. He's obviously read it but it's just as
obvious that he doesn't understand it. Nothing in the Bible obligates us
to help the poor."

Origins:   On 15 May 2015, the entertainment-based Facebook group Stop the World, the Teabaggers Want Off posted a photograph of U.S. Rep. Trent Franks of Arizona, appended with a quote attributed to the lawmaker. According to the page, The Republican Franks questioned whether Pope Francis was truly familiar with scripture, maintaining that "nothing in the Bible obligates us to help the poor":

The Facebook group in question (Stop The World, The Teabaggers Want Off) almost exclusively publishes fabricated quotes attributed to Conservative politicians and pundits. Previously, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, former Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, and Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson were targeted by the page with similar memes. Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin has also appeared in memes created by the page regarding white privilege, a purported endorsement of Benjamin Netanyahu, and a claim vaccinations lead to homosexuality.

Stop The World, The Teabaggers Want Off generally attributes its quoted content to a well-known source (in this instance, Politico), but the citations typically are bogus. A disclaimer found on the group's Facebook page states all posts are for entertainment purposes only:


This page is for entertainment purposes. It is NOT meant to be taken seriously. It is primarily satire and parody with a mix of political memes and messages.

Humorous memes are just one of several ways fake news and other shaky content spreads on the internet. Our article "Six Ways to Spot Fake News illustrates many of the ways to spot (and avoid sharing) seemingly credible links that are in actuality humor-based..

Last updated:   16 May 2015

David Mikkelson founded the site now known as snopes.com back in 1994.