Changes

'''Snopes.com''' is a [[liberal]] website that was originally devoted to collecting and debunking [[urban legend]]s. It was started in 1997 by husband and wife team Barbara and David Mikkelson. Because the Mikkelson's have no formal background or experience in investigative research, it is filled with numerous, intentionally inaccurate information. The site is popular with liberals,<ref>Bokhari, Allum (July 25, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2017/07/25/left-loves-snopes/ BOKHARI: Why The Left Loves Snopes]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 25, 2017.</ref> and it tends to explain away all criticism toward liberal politicians and public figures while giving [[conservatives]] the hatchet job. In 2016, Snopes spent the entire year unsuccessfully trying to defend [[Hillary Clinton]].<ref>https://dailycaller.com/2016/06/17/fact-checking-snopes-websites-political-fact-checker-is-just-a-failed-liberal-blogger/</ref><ref>https://ethicsalarms.com/2016/07/31/bye-bye-snopes-youre-dead-to-me-now/</ref><ref>http://www.frontpagemag.com/point/262720/snopes-attack-front-page-shows-how-incompetent-it-daniel-greenfield</ref><ref>

'''Snopes.com''' is a [[liberal]] website that was originally devoted to collecting and debunking [[urban legend]]s. It was started in 1997 by husband and wife team Barbara and David Mikkelson. Because the Mikkelson's have no formal background or experience in investigative research, it is filled with numerous, intentionally inaccurate information. The site is popular with liberals,<ref>Bokhari, Allum (July 25, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2017/07/25/left-loves-snopes/ BOKHARI: Why The Left Loves Snopes]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 25, 2017.</ref> and it tends to explain away all criticism toward liberal politicians and public figures while giving [[conservatives]] the hatchet job. In 2016, Snopes spent the entire year unsuccessfully trying to defend [[Hillary Clinton]].<ref>https://dailycaller.com/2016/06/17/fact-checking-snopes-websites-political-fact-checker-is-just-a-failed-liberal-blogger/</ref><ref>https://ethicsalarms.com/2016/07/31/bye-bye-snopes-youre-dead-to-me-now/</ref><ref>http://www.frontpagemag.com/point/262720/snopes-attack-front-page-shows-how-incompetent-it-daniel-greenfield</ref><ref>

http://mynewsla.com/hollywood/2016/06/20/snopes-vs-daily-caller-fact-checker-hit-as-hillary-backer/</ref><ref>https://jdlong.wordpress.com/2010/04/05/snopes-com-exposed-left-wing-website-not-quite-the-impartial-arbiter-of-truth/</ref><ref>http://www.angrypatriotmovement.com/who-is-behind-snopes/</ref><ref>[http://www.fromthetrenchesworldreport.com/snopes-got-snoped/60681 Snopes Got Snoped]</ref> At the same time, Snopes has defended some conservatives, such as its refutation that Milwaukee Sheriff [[David Clarke]] wears "fake medals,"<ref>Palma, Bethania (May 23, 2017). [http://www.snopes.com/david-clarke-military-medals/ Does Sheriff David Clarke Wear 'Fake' Military Medals?]. ''Snopes''. Retrieved May 25, 2017.</ref> the claim that the Polish first lady did not shake U.S. President [[Donald Trump]]'s hand.<ref>MacGuill, Dan (July 8, 2017). [http://www.snopes.com/polish-first-lady-trump-handshake/ Did Poland's First Lady Refuse to Shake Donald Trump's Hand?] ''Snopes''. Retrieved July 9, 2017.</ref> and even admitted that Trump is a victim of mainstream media [[fake news]].<ref>Scarborough, Rowan (July 17, 2017). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jul/17/snopes-publishes-favorable-donald-trump-report/ Snopes publishes favorable Trump report]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved July 17, 2017.</ref> Snopes has attempted to "fact-check" intentionally satirical articles from the [[Babylon Bee]].<ref>https://twitter.com/Adam4d/status/1154465670660329472</ref><ref>Adams, Becket (August 19, 2019). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/snopes-promotes-junk-science-study-in-a-continuation-of-its-bizarre-grudge-against-the-babylon-bee Snopes promotes junk science study in a continuation of its bizarre grudge against the ''Babylon Bee'']. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved August 19, 2019.</ref>

http://mynewsla.com/hollywood/2016/06/20/snopes-vs-daily-caller-fact-checker-hit-as-hillary-backer/</ref><ref>https://jdlong.wordpress.com/2010/04/05/snopes-com-exposed-left-wing-website-not-quite-the-impartial-arbiter-of-truth/</ref><ref>http://www.angrypatriotmovement.com/who-is-behind-snopes/</ref><ref>[http://www.fromthetrenchesworldreport.com/snopes-got-snoped/60681 Snopes Got Snoped]</ref> At the same time, Snopes has defended some conservatives, such as its refutation that Milwaukee Sheriff [[David Clarke]] wears "fake medals,"<ref>Palma, Bethania (May 23, 2017). [http://www.snopes.com/david-clarke-military-medals/ Does Sheriff David Clarke Wear 'Fake' Military Medals?]. ''Snopes''. Retrieved May 25, 2017.</ref> the claim that the Polish first lady did not shake U.S. President [[Donald Trump]]'s hand.<ref>MacGuill, Dan (July 8, 2017). [http://www.snopes.com/polish-first-lady-trump-handshake/ Did Poland's First Lady Refuse to Shake Donald Trump's Hand?] ''Snopes''. Retrieved July 9, 2017.</ref> and even admitted that Trump is a victim of mainstream media [[fake news]].<ref>Scarborough, Rowan (July 17, 2017). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jul/17/snopes-publishes-favorable-donald-trump-report/ Snopes publishes favorable Trump report]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved July 17, 2017.</ref> Snopes has attempted to "fact-check" intentionally satirical articles from ''[[The Babylon Bee]]''.<ref>https://twitter.com/Adam4d/status/1154465670660329472</ref><ref>Adams, Becket (August 19, 2019). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/snopes-promotes-junk-science-study-in-a-continuation-of-its-bizarre-grudge-against-the-babylon-bee Snopes promotes junk science study in a continuation of its bizarre grudge against the ''Babylon Bee'']. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved August 19, 2019.</ref>

In July 2017, a financial dispute with an advertising firm forced Snopes to seek crowd-sourced funding. They raised $500,000 on their first day. Also, it has been alleged that Mikkelson has been embezzling company funds to spend on personal expenses and [[prostitute]]s. <ref>[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4730092/Snopes-brink-founder-accused-fraud-lying.html 'Fact checking' website Snopes on verge of collapse after founder is accused of fraud, DailyMail, July 26, 2017]</ref>

In July 2017, a financial dispute with an advertising firm forced Snopes to seek crowd-sourced funding. They raised $500,000 on their first day. Also, it has been alleged that Mikkelson has been embezzling company funds to spend on personal expenses and [[prostitute]]s. <ref>[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4730092/Snopes-brink-founder-accused-fraud-lying.html 'Fact checking' website Snopes on verge of collapse after founder is accused of fraud, DailyMail, July 26, 2017]</ref>