Fact Check: Hundreds waited outside the Capitol to pay respects to the Hortmans.

Fact Check: "Hundreds waited outside the Capitol to pay respects to the Hortmans."

What We Know

The claim that "hundreds waited outside the Capitol to pay respects to the Hortmans" is not accurate. Reports indicate that thousands of Minnesotans lined up to pay their respects to Representative Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their family pet Gilbert, who were tragically killed in a politically motivated assassination. According to a report by the Minnesota Reformer, the lines extended significantly outside the Minnesota State Capitol, with many attendees bringing flowers and expressing their condolences.

Former President Biden was also present among the mourners, which highlights the significant turnout for the event (Axios). This suggests that the attendance far exceeded just "hundreds," indicating a much larger crowd.

Analysis

The original claim underestimates the scale of the event. The term "hundreds" implies a relatively small gathering, which is contradicted by multiple sources stating that "thousands" of people attended to pay their respects. The Minnesota Reformer specifically noted that "thousands of Minnesotans lined up" to honor the Hortmans, while video footage from various news outlets, including YouTube, shows long lines of mourners outside the Capitol, further supporting this observation.

The sources used to verify this claim are credible, with the Minnesota Reformer being a reputable local news outlet and Axios known for its reliable reporting. Both sources provided consistent information regarding the large turnout, which casts doubt on the accuracy of the original claim.

Conclusion

Verdict: False. The claim that "hundreds waited outside the Capitol to pay respects to the Hortmans" is misleading. Evidence from multiple credible sources indicates that the actual number of attendees was in the thousands, significantly exceeding the claim made.

Fact Check: Hundreds waited outside the Capitol to pay respects to the Hortmans.