PolitiFact | Wisconsin

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This partnership of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and PolitiFact helps you find the truth in Wisconsin politics. Scroll down to search through our fact checks and analysis.

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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Mostly True

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All Fact-checks for Wisconsin

stated on June 2, 2025 in Radio interview

“The state of Illinois has a lower income tax rate than we do, and a flat tax. It’s almost half of what the top bracket here in Wisconsin is.”

true

mostly-true

stated on April 2, 2025 in a Facebook post

“White hats to investigate Wisconsin Supreme Court election.”

true

false

stated on April 1, 2025 in an X post

“Seven counties in Wisconsin (ran) out of ballots” and it was “intentional” to diminish Republican voter turnout.

true

barely-true

stated on March 12, 2025 in TV debate

"Brad Schimel said that he wanted to be part of Donald Trump's support network."

true

mostly-true

stated on February 6, 2025 in X, formerly Twitter

“Eliminate school choice” is on Susan Crawford’s agenda.

true

false

A Better Wisconsin Together

stated on February 24, 2025 in Social media ads

“71 out of 72 Wisconsin counties filed lawsuits against Purdue Pharma. Brad Schimel refused to join them.”

true

half-true

Cavalier Johnson

stated on January 19, 2025 in TV interview

“After the referendum, Milwaukee Public Schools has a larger tax levy than the City of Milwaukee.”

true

true

stated on February 19, 2025 in News conference

“90% of the (school) districts in Wisconsin already have a policy” banning cellphones during class time.

true

true

stated on February 18, 2025 in X, formerly Twitter

The Chicago Cubs owner is bankrolling Brad Schimel.

true

mostly-true

stated on February 9, 2025 in TV interview

Wisconsin does not “require judges to automatically recuse just because they have done some kind of legal work in the past as a lawyer.”

true

true

stated on January 26, 2025 in a TV interview

We’re one of the very few nations that allowed birthright citizenship.”

true

mostly-true

stated on January 8, 2025 in News release

Wisconsin makes it more difficult for its citizens to vote than almost any state in the nation.

true

true

stated on January 21, 2025 in a Facebook post

Photos show Jeffrey Thomas, a “serial killer on the loose.”

true

false

stated on January 8, 2025 in News conference

Voter ID "is supported, if you look at any poll, by 70 to 80% of the public."

true

true

stated on December 1, 2024 in X, formerly Twitter

“Trump won 18-to-24-year-olds in Wisconsin."

true

half-true

stated on November 17, 2024 in TV interview

“There's never been a placebo-controlled study on childhood vaccines.”

true

false

stated on December 15, 2024 in Facebook posts

Residents in states across the U.S. are eligible for a $2,200 holiday stimulus payment.

true

false

stated on December 16, 2024 in a post

“The school shooter in Madison Wisconsin Christian School shooting has been identified as a female identifying as a male.”

true

false

Instagram posts

stated on December 16, 2024 in an Instagram post

Photo of a young man in a tie shows Wisconsin school shooter Natalie Rupnow.

true

false

stated on December 1, 2024 in TV interview

“The Universities of Wisconsin are 43rd out of 50 states in the nation, in terms of public support for our universities. The $855 million (budget request) gets us up to average.”

true

true

Elon Musk’s PAC is paying Wisconsin petition signers before Supreme Court election. Is it legal?

Elon Musk’s PAC is paying Wisconsin petition signers before Supreme Court election. Is it legal?

By Amy Sherman • March 28, 2025

RFK Jr. has targeted antidepressants for kids. How do SSRIs work?

RFK Jr. has targeted antidepressants for kids. How do SSRIs work?

By Natalie Eilbert • March 5, 2025

US Rep. Steil labeled Dane County a ‘sanctuary city,’ but it’s complicated

US Rep. Steil labeled Dane County a ‘sanctuary city,’ but it’s complicated

By Ricardo Torres • March 5, 2025

Analysis: How PolitiFact fact-checked 2024 election claims on vote counting, mail ballots, machines

Analysis: How PolitiFact fact-checked 2024 election claims on vote counting, mail ballots, machines

By Jeff Cercone • November 26, 2024

In Nov. 1 Milwaukee rally, Trump offers falsehoods on economy, climate change

In Nov. 1 Milwaukee rally, Trump offers falsehoods on economy, climate change

By Louis Jacobson • November 2, 2024

Noncitizen voting is already rare in local elections, but 8 states want to ban it

Noncitizen voting is already rare in local elections, but 8 states want to ban it

By Sara Swann • October 31, 2024

Not knowing all the results on election night is normal. Here's why.

Not knowing all the results on election night is normal. Here's why.

By Amy Sherman • October 30, 2024

Has a Venezuelan gang member been arrested in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin?

Has a Venezuelan gang member been arrested in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin?

By Hope Karnopp • September 27, 2024

Ron Johnson called Joe Biden dropping out of the race for president a 'coup.' Is that accurate?

Ron Johnson called Joe Biden dropping out of the race for president a 'coup.' Is that accurate?

By Madeline Heim • August 23, 2024

Ahead of RNC, a look back at our fact-checks of Trump’s Wisconsin claims

Ahead of RNC, a look back at our fact-checks of Trump’s Wisconsin claims

By Hope Karnopp • July 12, 2024

Can we compare Republicans’ 2020 voter fraud claims with what Clinton said about the 2016 election?

Can we compare Republicans’ 2020 voter fraud claims with what Clinton said about the 2016 election?

By Madeline Heim • May 31, 2024

Here’s a look back at Wisconsin absentee voting trends

Here’s a look back at Wisconsin absentee voting trends

By Hope Karnopp • May 10, 2024

Were more bills signed into law, vetoed this year than normal in Wisconsin? Here’s our analysis.

Were more bills signed into law, vetoed this year than normal in Wisconsin? Here’s our analysis.

By Hope Karnopp • May 8, 2024

The Republican Party wants more poll watchers. Here’s what they can, and can’t, do.

The Republican Party wants more poll watchers. Here’s what they can, and can’t, do.

By Amy Sherman • May 7, 2024

Fact-checking Trump’s claims about tax cuts, job numbers and inflation in Wisconsin, Michigan

Fact-checking Trump’s claims about tax cuts, job numbers and inflation in Wisconsin, Michigan

By Louis Jacobson • May 2, 2024

In context: Judging Milwaukee’s crime rate

In context: Judging Milwaukee’s crime rate

By Elliot Hughes • March 22, 2024

What is Wisconsin U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde’s stance on abortion?

What is Wisconsin U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde’s stance on abortion?

By Hope Karnopp • February 22, 2024

What's going on at the US-Mexico border, and what are asylum and parole?

What's going on at the US-Mexico border, and what are asylum and parole?

By Sophie Carson • February 16, 2024

Did Democrats want expansion of slavery, while Republicans opposed it?

Did Democrats want expansion of slavery, while Republicans opposed it?

By Laura Schulte • January 9, 2024

Has Act 10 saved Wisconsin taxpayers $16.8 billion? Here’s what we could find

Has Act 10 saved Wisconsin taxpayers $16.8 billion? Here’s what we could find

By Hope Karnopp • December 13, 2023