Samantha Putterman

Contributing writer

Samantha Putterman is a contributing writer for PolitiFact. Previously, she reported for the Bradenton Herald and the Tampa Bay Times. She is a graduate of USF St. Petersburg, where she majored in journalism and media studies.

The latest Truth-O-Meter items from Samantha Putterman

It doesn't hurt, but it probably won't help

Facebook posts

Says drinking a "6-ounce glass of tonic water each night before bed" will help alleviate restless legs syndrome.

— PolitiFact Facebook fact-checks on Monday, October 21st, 2019

A viral myth, if you will

Facebook posts

Says that for two weeks after you get a flu shot you are an "active, live walking virus."

— PolitiFact Facebook fact-checks on Wednesday, October 16th, 2019

An anonymous "U.S. official" isn't enough for us

Facebook posts

Quotes President John F. Kennedy as saying "If the United States ever experienced [a coup to overthrow the government] it will come from the CIA and not the Pentagon."

— PolitiFact Facebook fact-checks on Wednesday, October 16th, 2019

Barr doesn't use a personal Twitter

Facebook posts

Says Attorney General William Barr tweeted that the US "gave Iran USA taxpayer dollars" so Iran could purchase uranium from Russia.

— PolitiFact Facebook fact-checks on Tuesday, October 15th, 2019

The internet put a spell on you

Facebook posts

Says Facebook now has a "witch checker."

— PolitiFact Facebook fact-checks on Friday, October 11th, 2019

Tennis rackets ≠ racketeering

Facebook posts

Says the Obamas are connected to the Varsity Blues college admissions scandal.

— PolitiFact Facebook fact-checks on Friday, October 11th, 2019

She's an American college student, people

Facebook posts

Says Nancy Pelosi’s "legislative aide … is from the Ukraine and is connected to the Ukrainian Embassy, the Ukrainian military, the Ukrainian government and Ukrainian party life"

— PolitiFact Facebook fact-checks on Wednesday, October 9th, 2019

A fabricated cheap shot

Facebook posts

Says Monica Lewinsky tweeted that she's "willing to take one for the team" by engaging in oral sex with President Donald Trump because, "Apparently that's the only thing that can convince Republicans to impeach."

— PolitiFact Facebook fact-checks on Friday, October 4th, 2019

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Fake Quotes

Facebook posts

Quotes Thomas Jefferson as saying that "freedom is lost gradually from uninterested, uninformed and uninvolved people."

— PolitiFact Facebook fact-checks on Friday, October 4th, 2019

Just creepin' it real

Facebook posts

Says the character Freddy Krueger was based on a real serial killer.

— PolitiFact Facebook fact-checks on Friday, October 4th, 2019

Recent stories from Samantha Putterman

Donald Trump says he spent a lot time with 9/11 responders. Here are the facts

At a Rose Garden event, President Donald Trump said after Sept. 11, "I was down there also, but I’m not considering myself a first responder. But I was down there. I spent a lot of time down there with you." We take a look at the facts.

By Amy Sherman. Published on Tuesday, July 30th, 2019 at 5:33 p.m.

Did Donald Trump pay hundreds of workers to help in search-and-rescue efforts days after 9/11?

Since Sept. 11, 2001, President Donald Trump has faced criticism and backlash for things he has done and said involving that tragic day, but one meme making the rounds on social media paints him as a hero in the days immediately following the attacks.

By Samantha Putterman. Published on Wednesday, March 13th, 2019 at 1:34 p.m.

Photo of Covington students in black paint at a basketball game goes viral. Here's what we know

The viral photo of Covington Catholic fans is real. The circumstances may not be what they appear.

By Samantha Putterman. Published on Friday, January 25th, 2019 at 12:01 p.m.

Man behind viral border wall GoFundMe fundraiser also peddled false news

A veteran from Florida started a now-viral GoFundMe fundraiser to help fund Trump's border wall, but his past includes running conspiracy theory news sites often cited for promoting false and inflammatory content.

By Samantha Putterman. Published on Friday, December 21st, 2018 at 2:36 p.m.