The claim
The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was “a giant hoax” staged by the government with “crisis actors.”
Made in: Infowars broadcasts, videos, and Jones’s own writings
The proof
Courts in Texas and Connecticut entered default judgments finding Jones liable for defamation after he ignored court orders. During his own 2022 Texas trial testimony, Jones said he would “admit Sandy Hook was real.” Juries across the two states awarded the families more than a billion dollars in combined damages.
The record
Heslin v. Jones; Pozner v. Jones; Alish v. Jones — Travis County District Court (Tex.); Superior Court, Litchfield Judicial District (Conn.)
Outcome: Default judgments of liability; jury awards including $49.3 million in Texas and $965 million in Connecticut
Jones later filed for bankruptcy, and appellate courts have adjusted some damage figures — but no court has disturbed the core findings of liability, and his own sworn testimony conceded the shooting happened.
The claim
Dominion Voting Systems stole the 2020 presidential election by switching and deleting votes.
Made in: Fox News broadcasts and on-air segments after the 2020 election
The proof
Fox settled Dominion’s defamation suit for $787.5 million — the largest known defamation settlement in U.S. history — and the settlement statement acknowledged “the Court’s rulings finding certain claims about Dominion Voting Systems to be false.” Discovery had shown hosts and executives privately doubted the claims they aired.
The record
Dominion Voting Systems Corp. v. Fox News Network, LLC — Superior Court of Delaware, New Castle County · No. N21C-11-139 AML CCLD
Outcome: $787.5 million settlement (April 18, 2023) with public acknowledgment that court rulings found the Dominion claims false
Most defamation settlements admit nothing. This one was built around judicial rulings on falsity and carried a public acknowledgment — which is why it is in the ledger.
The claim
E. Jean Carroll’s accusation was a hoax and “a con job,” and she was “not my type.”
Made in: Interviews and statements responding to Carroll’s published allegation
The proof
Two separate federal juries found Trump liable. In May 2023 a jury found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation and awarded $5 million. In January 2024 a second jury found him liable for defamation again and awarded $83.3 million.
The record
E. Jean Carroll v. Donald J. Trump — U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York · No. 1:19-cv-10296; No. 1:22-cv-10046
Outcome: Jury verdicts of liability; $5 million and $83.3 million in damages
The claim
Financial statements presented Trump Organization assets at values the company knew were inflated to secure loans and insurance terms.
Made in: Annual financial statements submitted to lenders and insurers
The proof
New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron ruled on summary judgment that the defendants were liable for fraud as a matter of law, citing valuations with “no basis in reality,” including a penthouse measured at nearly three times its actual size. The February 2024 judgment imposed roughly $355 million in disgorgement plus interest and barred Trump and his sons from controlling New York companies for years.
The record
People of the State of New York v. Trump Organization, et al. — New York Supreme Court, New York County · Index No. 452154/2022
Outcome: Finding of fraud on summary judgment; final judgment of approximately $355 million plus interest and multi-year corporate bars
An intermediate appellate panel later reduced parts of the judgment; the fraud finding itself was not erased. Civil matter — no criminal conviction is claimed here.
The claim
Trump University instructors were “hand-picked” by Donald Trump and the school held a 90%+ approval rating.
Made in: Trump University advertising and promotional videos
The proof
After years of litigation, Trump settled three class actions — including suits by former students and by the District of Columbia attorney general — for $25 million in November 2016, days before trial. Internal Trump University materials had already shown the “hand-picked” instructor claims were scripted marketing.
The record
Low v. Trump University LLC; Cohen v. Trump; People v. Trump University — U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California; D.C. Superior Court · No. 3:13-cv-00650-GPC-WVG
Outcome: $25 million combined settlement (November 2016)
The settlement contained no formal admission of wrongdoing. It is included because the settled claims rested on marketing assertions the record contradicted, and because the payout closed three separate cases.
The claim
“I never had sexual relations with that woman” (Stormy Daniels) and “I didn’t know about the hush money payments.”
Made in: Public statements and interviews
The proof
A Manhattan jury convicted Trump on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 campaign. The conviction proves the records were falsified to conceal the payments, which in turn proves the underlying denials were false. Trump was sentenced to an unconditional discharge (no jail, no probation).
The record
People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump — New York Supreme Court, New York County (Manhattan) · Indictment No. 71543/2023
Outcome: Convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records (May 30, 2024); sentenced to unconditional discharge (January 10, 2025)
The conviction was for falsifying records, not for the lies themselves — but the falsification was done to conceal the payments, which proves the denials were false. The unconditional discharge means no jail or probation, but the conviction stands.
The claim
The Donald J. Trump Foundation was operated as a charitable organization.
Made in: Foundation operations and public statements
The proof
The New York Attorney General’s office found “a stunning pattern of illegality” including using foundation funds to pay off Trump’s personal legal claims, to support his presidential campaign, and to purchase political portraits. Trump agreed to pay $2 million in restitution and dissolve the foundation.
The record
People v. Donald J. Trump Foundation, Inc. — New York Supreme Court, New York County · Index No. 451352/2018
Outcome: $2 million restitution; foundation dissolved (December 2019)
The settlement required Trump to admit no wrongdoing, but the AG’s findings of illegality were detailed and specific. The foundation was dissolved as part of the settlement.
The claim
Election workers Ruby Freeman and Wandrea “Shaye” Moss ran a ballot-fraud scheme in Atlanta, passing “suitcases” of illegal ballots and a USB drive “like vials of heroin or cocaine.”
Made in: A congressional hearing and repeated television appearances
The proof
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia entered a default judgment against Giuliani on liability after he repeatedly failed to comply with discovery orders. In December 2023 a jury awarded Freeman and Moss $148 million in damages.
The record
Freeman v. Giuliani — U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia · No. 1:21-cv-03354
Outcome: Default judgment on liability; $148 million jury award (December 2023)
Giuliani filed for bankruptcy after the verdict. The state of Georgia’s own investigation — led by officials of his own party — had already found no truth in the allegations.
The claim
International conspiracies involving Venezuela, Cuba, and the CIA flipped millions of votes — “the Kraken” — against Donald Trump in 2020.
Made in: Press conferences, Fox appearances, and court filings in election challenges
The proof
Every court that heard her election cases rejected them, several with sanctions. In October 2023 Powell pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor counts of conspiracy to solicit the violation of oath by public officers in the Fulton County election interference prosecution, agreeing to testify against co-defendants if called.
The record
State of Georgia v. Trump, et al. (Powell) — Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia · No. 23SC18894-9
Outcome: Guilty plea to six misdemeanor counts (October 19, 2023); six years’ probation, fine, and restitution
Her earlier defamation suits were dismissed and sanctions motions pursued against her. The federal election-interference charges against her co-defendants were later dropped after the 2024 election; her guilty plea stands.
The claim
His data proved voting machines switched millions of votes in 2020 — and he offered $5 million to anyone who could prove him wrong.
Made in: Public appearances and his “Proof” app challenge
The proof
A security researcher took the data and proved the claim false. The dispute went to binding arbitration, and the arbitrator ruled in 2023 that Lindell owed the $5 million. A federal district court confirmed the award and the appellate court affirmed it.
The record
Lindell v. (arbitration award confirmation) — JAMS arbitration; confirmed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
Outcome: Arbitrator ordered Lindell to pay $5 million (February 2023); award confirmed and affirmed on appeal
Lindell made the bet in public and lost it in the record. Smartmatic’s separate defamation suit against him remains open.
The claim
A campaign résumé that included jobs at Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, a degree from NYU, and a mother who died on 9/11.
Made in: Campaign filings, interviews, and congressional biography
The proof
Reporting exposed the résumé within weeks of his election, and the record went further: he pleaded guilty in April 2025 to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, including stealing donors’ identities to charge their cards. The House had already expelled him in December 2023 — only the sixth member ever removed.
The record
United States v. Santos — U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York · No. 2:23-cr-00174
Outcome: Guilty plea to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft (April 2025)
The claim
Two attackers assaulted him in Chicago shouting racist slurs and Trump slogans, in a “MAGA” hate crime.
Made in: Police report and national media appearances
The proof
At trial, evidence showed Smollett paid two brothers to stage the attack and reported it himself. In March 2022 a jury convicted him on five counts of disorderly conduct for filing a false police report.
The record
People v. Smollett — Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois
Outcome: Convicted on five counts of disorderly conduct (March 2022); sentenced to 150 days in jail
In November 2024 the Illinois Supreme Court vacated the conviction on due-process grounds — prosecutors had previously agreed not to pursue charges in exchange for forfeiting his bond, and then prosecuted him anyway. The court did not dispute the trial evidence that the attack was staged. The receipt is kept, with the reversal stated, because hiding it would be the dishonest move.
The claim
Denied having advance knowledge of WikiLeaks’ plans to release hacked Democratic emails and denied contacting WikiLeaks or Julian Assange during the 2016 campaign.
Made in: Testimony before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
The proof
A federal jury convicted Stone on seven counts including making false statements to Congress, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering. Evidence showed he had extensive contacts with WikiLeaks and had advance knowledge of their email releases. Sentenced to 40 months in prison.
The record
United States v. Stone — U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia · No. 1:19-cr-00018-ABJ
Outcome: Convicted on seven counts (November 15, 2019); sentenced to 40 months (February 2020); sentence commuted by Trump (July 2020); pardoned by Trump (December 2020)
Trump commuted Stone’s sentence days before he was to report to prison, then pardoned him. The conviction itself stands as a legal record.
The claim
Denied discussing U.S. sanctions on Russia with the Russian ambassador during the transition and denied asking Russia not to retaliate against Obama-era sanctions.
Made in: Interview with the FBI and public statements
The proof
Flynn pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI about his contacts with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak. He cooperated with the Mueller investigation, then had his case dismissed on procedural grounds and was pardoned by Trump.
The record
United States v. Flynn — U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia · No. 1:17-cr-00232-RJL
Outcome: Pleaded guilty to making false statements (December 1, 2017); case dismissed (November 2020); pardoned by Trump (November 2020)
Flynn cooperated with the Mueller investigation before seeking to withdraw his plea. The case was dismissed on procedural grounds, and he was pardoned. The guilty plea is a legal record.
The claim
Participated in a scheme to submit fake electoral certificates in swing states to overturn the 2020 election results.
Made in: Coordination with Trump campaign and state-level allies
The proof
Ellis pleaded guilty in the Georgia election interference case to one count of conspiracy to commit forgery (unauthorized writing) for her role in the fake elector scheme. She agreed to cooperate with prosecutors and testified before the grand jury.
The record
State of Georgia v. Trump, et al. (Ellis) — Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia · No. 23SC18894-9
Outcome: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit forgery (October 2023); sentenced to one year probation, 100 hours community service, and $5,000 fine
Ellis was the second defendant to plead guilty in the case, after Sidney Powell. She agreed to cooperate with prosecutors and testified before the grand jury.
The claim
Theranos’s device could run comprehensive medical test panels from a single finger-prick, was deployed by the U.S. military, and had major pharmaceutical partnerships.
Made in: Investor presentations, media interviews, and board materials
The proof
Trial evidence showed the device could run only a handful of tests, most samples ran on conventional machines bought from other companies, and the claimed partnerships and military deployments were false. In January 2022 a federal jury convicted Holmes on four counts of defrauding investors; she was sentenced to 135 months in prison.
The record
United States v. Holmes & Balwani — U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California · No. 5:18-cr-00258-EJD
Outcome: Convicted on four counts of wire fraud and conspiracy (January 3, 2022); sentenced to 135 months (November 2022)
Her co-CEO Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani was separately convicted on twelve counts. Holmes began serving her sentence in May 2023.
The claim
FTX was solvent, customer funds were safe, and Alameda Research was not secretly financed with customer money.
Made in: Public statements and tweets as FTX collapsed
The proof
Trial evidence showed billions in FTX customer funds had been diverted to Alameda Research for trading, real estate, and political donations. On November 2, 2023, a jury convicted Bankman-Fried on all seven counts, including wire fraud on customers and securities fraud; he was sentenced to 25 years.
The record
United States v. Bankman-Fried — U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York · No. 1:22-cr-00673
Outcome: Convicted on all seven counts (November 2, 2023); sentenced to 25 years (March 2024)
The claim
Fyre Festival was a luxury music festival on a private island with premium villas, gourmet dining, and major headliners.
Made in: Festival marketing, influencer campaign, and ticket sales
The proof
Attendees arrived to disaster-relief tents and cold sandwiches; the festival never had the infrastructure it advertised. McFarland pleaded guilty in June 2018 to two counts of wire fraud for defrauding investors and ticket buyers of roughly $26 million and was sentenced to six years.
The record
United States v. McFarland — U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York · No. 1:18-cr-00213
Outcome: Guilty plea to two counts of wire fraud (June 2018); sentenced to six years with $26 million in forfeiture
McFarland later ran “Fyre Festival II,” selling tickets for an event with no confirmed date or venue — the pattern is part of the point.
The claim
She was “Anna Delvey,” a German heiress with a $60 million trust fund, able to finance a private art club and repay anything on a wire from Germany.
Made in: Hotels, banks, and social circles across New York
The proof
There was no trust fund and no fortune. In April 2019 a New York jury convicted Sorokin on eight counts, including grand larceny and theft of services, for defrauding banks, hotels, and friends of roughly $200,000. She was sentenced to 4 to 12 years.
The record
People v. Sorokin — New York Supreme Court, New York County
Outcome: Convicted on eight counts including grand larceny (April 2019); sentenced to 4–12 years
The claim
Submitted alternative slates of presidential electors in six swing states to overturn the 2020 election results.
Made in: Legal memo to the Trump campaign (the "Chesebro memo")
The proof
Chesebro wrote the legal memo that became the blueprint for the fake elector scheme. He pleaded guilty in the Georgia election interference case to one count of conspiracy to commit forgery (unauthorized writing) and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.
The record
State of Georgia v. Trump, et al. (Chesebro) — Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia · No. 23SC18894-9
Outcome: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit forgery (September 2023); sentenced to five years probation, 100 hours community service, and $5,000 fine
Chesebro was the architect of the scheme. His memo, dated November 18, 2020, laid out the legal theory for submitting fake electoral certificates. He was the fifth defendant to plead guilty in the case.
The claim
Denied lying to investigators and denied the scope of his contacts with a Russian associate with ties to Russian intelligence.
Made in: Statements to the FBI and the Special Counsel's office
The proof
Gates pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy against the United States and one count of making false statements to the FBI about his contacts with Konstantin Kilimnik, a Russian associate with ties to Russian intelligence. He agreed to cooperate with the Special Counsel's investigation.
The record
United States v. Gates — U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia · No. 1:17-cr-00201
Outcome: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy and false statements (February 2018); sentenced to one day in prison, 12 months supervised release, and $20,000 fine
Gates was Paul Manafort's former deputy. His guilty plea and cooperation were central to the Mueller investigation's case against Manafort, who was separately convicted on eight counts.
The claim
Claimed executive privilege excused him from cooperating with the January 6th investigation.
Made in: Refusal to comply with House Select Committee subpoena
The proof
A federal jury convicted Bannon on two counts of contempt of Congress — one for refusing to produce documents and one for refusing to testify — for defying a House January 6th Committee subpoena. The court rejected his executive privilege defense.
The record
United States v. Bannon — U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia · No. 1:22-cr-00164
Outcome: Convicted on two counts of contempt of Congress (July 2024); sentenced to four months in federal prison
Bannon was sentenced to four months in prison and began serving his sentence in October 2024. He was pardoned by Trump in January 2025, but the conviction stands as a legal record.
The claim
Claimed executive privilege excused him from cooperating with the January 6th investigation.
Made in: Refusal to comply with House Select Committee subpoena
The proof
A federal jury convicted Navarro on two counts of contempt of Congress — one for refusing to produce documents and one for refusing to testify — for defying a House January 6th Committee subpoena. The court rejected his executive privilege defense.
The record
United States v. Navarro — U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia · No. 1:22-cr-00183
Outcome: Convicted on two counts of contempt of Congress (September 2023); sentenced to three months in federal prison
Navarro was the first White House official convicted for defying a congressional subpoena related to January 6th. He began serving his sentence in March 2024.
The claim
Submitted a fraudulent slate of presidential electors in Georgia to overturn the 2020 election results.
Made in: Coordination of fake elector scheme in Coffee County, Georgia
The proof
Hall, a bail bondsman and Coffee County GOP official, helped coordinate the fake elector scheme. He pleaded guilty in the Georgia election interference case to one count of conspiracy to commit forgery (unauthorized writing).
The record
State of Georgia v. Trump, et al. (Hall) — Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia · No. 23SC18894-9
Outcome: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit forgery (August 2023); sentenced to 5 years probation and $1,000 fine
Hall was the first defendant to plead guilty in the Georgia case, before Sidney Powell. He helped coordinate the fake electors and facilitated access to Coffee County voting equipment.
The claim
Participated in submitting a fraudulent slate of presidential electors in Georgia.
Made in: Coffee County GOP chairwoman role in fake elector scheme
The proof
Latham, as Coffee County GOP chair, helped facilitate access to voting machines and participated in the fake elector scheme. She pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit forgery (unauthorized writing).
The record
State of Georgia v. Trump, et al. (Latham) — Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia · No. 23SC18894-9
Outcome: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit forgery (December 2023); sentenced to 5 years probation and $1,000 fine
Latham's role included facilitating access to the Coffee County elections office, where unauthorized individuals gained access to voting machines. The access was later used to extract voter data.
The claim
The Vice President had the authority to reject electoral votes and overturn the 2020 election results.
Made in: Legal memos (the "Eastman memos") and public statements
The proof
The California State Bar Court found Eastman committed professional misconduct and made false statements in support of efforts to overturn the election. The California Supreme Court disbarred him in 2024.
The record
In re Eastman (State Bar Court of California) — Supreme Court of California · No. S284441
Outcome: Disbarred (March 2024)
Eastman was also charged in the Georgia election case but the charges were later dropped due to his mental health. The disbarment was based on his legal memos and public statements supporting the election overturn effort.
The claim
The 2020 election was stolen and the QAnon movement's predictions of mass arrests of elites would come true.
Made in: Public statements and the January 6th Capitol attack
The proof
Chansley, known as the "QAnon Shaman," stormed the U.S. Capitol wearing a fur hat and carrying a spear. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding.
The record
United States v. Chansley — U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia · No. 1:21-cr-00111
Outcome: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding (September 2021); sentenced to 41 months in federal prison
Chansley was one of the most visible figures of the January 6th attack. His guilty plea acknowledged that he participated in the effort to stop the certification of the electoral vote.
The claim
His pharmaceutical company had a legitimate drug development pipeline, active partnerships, and valuable intellectual property.
Made in: Investor presentations and fundraising materials
The proof
A federal jury convicted Shkreli of securities fraud for lying to investors about the status of his pharmaceutical company's drug development pipeline and partnerships. He was sentenced to seven years in prison.
The record
United States v. Shkreli — U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York · No. 1:15-cr-00289
Outcome: Convicted on three counts of securities fraud and three counts of conspiracy (August 2017); sentenced to seven years
Shkreli became infamous for raising the price of Daraprim by 5,000%, but the conviction was for defrauding investors in his hedge fund and pharmaceutical companies, not for the price gouging.
The claim
He never used performance-enhancing drugs. He sued accusers, called them liars, and passed drug tests.
Made in: Public statements, press conferences, and lawsuits
The proof
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency found Armstrong engaged in "the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen." An arbitration panel found he committed fraud and stripped him of all seven Tour de France titles. He later admitted doping.
The record
USADA v. Armstrong — American Arbitration Association (confirmed by U.S. District Court, District of Colorado) · No. 1:12-cv-02839
Outcome: Lifetime ban from Olympic sport; stripped of all titles since August 1998; $10 million in damages
Armstrong denied doping for over a decade, sued the Sunday Times for $100 million, and called accusers liars. The arbitration finding was that he "committed the most serious violations of anti-doping rules in the history of sport." He admitted doping in a 2013 interview with Oprah Winfrey.
The claim
She had never used performance-enhancing drugs.
Made in: Public statements and grand jury testimony
The proof
Jones testified before a federal grand jury that she had never used steroids. She later pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice for lying to the grand jury about her use of performance-enhancing drugs. She was sentenced to six months in prison.
The record
United States v. Jones — U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas · No. 4:06-cr-00712
Outcome: Pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice (October 2007); sentenced to six months in prison; stripped of all five Olympic medals
Jones won three gold and two bronze medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, all later stripped. She was one of the highest-profile athletes to be caught in the BALCO scandal.
The claim
Theranos's blood-testing device could run comprehensive medical panels from a single finger-prick.
Made in: Investor presentations, partner meetings, and regulatory filings
The proof
Balwani, Theranos's co-CEO and president, was separately tried and convicted on all twelve counts of fraud. Trial evidence showed the device was a fraud and most tests were run on conventional machines.
The record
United States v. Balwani — U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California · No. 5:18-cr-00258-EJD-2
Outcome: Convicted on all twelve counts of wire fraud and conspiracy (December 2022); sentenced to 12 years and 11 months
Balwani was tried separately from Holmes and received a longer sentence. He was found to have personally directed and participated in the fraud.
The claim
He had a legitimate investment strategy — the "split-strike conversion" approach — that generated steady returns for decades.
Made in: Investor communications, SEC filings, and regulatory examinations
The proof
Madoff pleaded guilty to running the largest Ponzi scheme in history — approximately $65 billion in fictitious returns. There was no legitimate investment strategy; new investor money was used to pay "returns" to existing investors.
The record
United States v. Madoff — U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York · No. 1:09-cr-00228
Outcome: Pleaded guilty to 11 federal felonies including securities fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering (March 2009); sentenced to 150 years
Madoff's scheme operated for at least 17 years and defrauded thousands of investors, including banks, universities, and individual investors. He was discovered in December 2008 when the scheme collapsed during the financial crisis.