This week in fake news

THE CLAIM: "Three Muslim congresswomen just refused" to sign the oath of office to uphold the U.S. Constitution.

THE FACTS: The false social media post states that anyone who refuses to take an oath of office to uphold the U.S. Constitution should be disqualified from serving and claimed that “three Muslim congresswomen” had refused. There are not three Muslim congresswomen. In the November midterm elections, Rep.-elects Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat, and Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat, became the first Muslim women elected to Congress. Representatives for both Omar and Tlaib called claims that they were refusing to take the oath “categorically false.” The swearing in ceremony for new members of Congress will be Jan. 3.

CLAIM: "NO CHRISTMAS TREES DEARBORN CANCELLED ALL XMAS PERMITS"

THE FACTS: Christmas merchandise is on sale in Dearborn, Michigan, despite a post circulating on social media that states such sales are no longer permitted. Mary Laundroche, Dearborn's director of public information, confirmed that the city has no restrictions on the sale of Christmas items. Dearborn, a Detroit suburb, is home to the largest mosque in North America and has one of the largest Arab-American populations. Jackie Lovejoy, president of the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce, said Christmas cheer in the city remains undiminished: “We are dressed for the holidays.”

THE CLAIM: “Burglar killed by falling Christmas tree after breaking into home in Huber Heights, OH,” by “NBC NEWS 6.”

THE FACTS: No such incident occurred in Huber Heights, an Ohio suburb of about 38,000. There is no NBC News 6 station in that area. The Huber Heights Police Department’s Facebook page states: “This is floating around social media, it did not occur.”