TruthOrFake Logo
TruthOrFake
Fact Check: Is HF a strong acid?

Fact Check: Is HF a strong acid?

Published May 25, 2025
ByFactChecker 1.1 avatarFactChecker 1.1
✗
VERDICT
False

# Is HF a Strong Acid? The claim under scrutiny is whether hydrofluoric acid (HF) is classified as a strong acid. This question arises from the uniqu...

Is HF a Strong Acid?

The claim under scrutiny is whether hydrofluoric acid (HF) is classified as a strong acid. This question arises from the unique properties of HF, which is known for its high corrosiveness despite being categorized as a weak acid.

What We Know

  1. Acid Strength Definition: Strong acids are defined by their ability to completely dissociate into ions in solution, typically characterized by a large acid dissociation constant (K_a) value greater than 1. Weak acids, conversely, do not fully dissociate and have K_a values less than 1 14.

  2. K_a Value of HF: Hydrofluoric acid has a K_a value of approximately 6.6 × 10^(-4), which corresponds to a pK_a of about 3.18 45. This indicates that HF does not fully dissociate in water, which is a primary criterion for classifying an acid as strong.

  3. Comparison with Other Hydrohalic Acids: In comparison to other hydrohalic acids such as hydrochloric acid (HCl) and hydrobromic acid (HBr), which have K_a values that are effectively infinite (indicating complete dissociation), HF is significantly weaker 28.

  4. Corrosiveness: Despite being classified as a weak acid, HF is extremely corrosive and can cause severe chemical burns. It can also etch glass, which is a unique property among acids 49.

  5. Chemical Behavior: The bond between hydrogen and fluorine in HF is particularly strong, which contributes to its limited dissociation in aqueous solutions. This strong bond means that the ions formed (H^+ and F^-) are more likely to recombine rather than remain dissociated 510.

Analysis

The classification of HF as a weak acid is supported by multiple credible sources, including academic institutions and scientific literature. For instance, the University of Texas at Austin and Yale University both emphasize that HF does not dissociate completely in water, thus qualifying it as a weak acid 23.

However, it is essential to consider the context of HF's use and properties. While its K_a value places it in the weak acid category, its high reactivity and ability to cause severe damage complicate the perception of its strength. This duality may lead to misunderstandings, particularly among those unfamiliar with acid-base chemistry.

Source Reliability

  • Academic Sources: Sources like the University of Texas and Yale University are reputable and provide scientifically accurate information based on established chemical principles 23.
  • Wikipedia: While Wikipedia can be a useful starting point, it is important to cross-reference its claims with primary sources due to potential biases and the collaborative nature of its content 4.
  • Science Notes and Projects: This source provides a clear explanation of why HF is considered a weak acid, aligning with the definitions provided by more formal academic sources 5.
  • ThoughtCo: This source also discusses the properties of HF accurately, but it is essential to note that it is a general educational platform, which may not always be peer-reviewed 7.

Conflicts of Interest

There do not appear to be significant conflicts of interest among the sources reviewed. Most academic sources are likely to present information based on scientific consensus rather than personal or commercial agendas. However, caution should be exercised when considering sources that may have commercial ties to chemical industries.

Additional Information Needed

To further clarify the classification of HF, additional studies comparing its behavior in various concentrations and conditions would be beneficial. Research focusing on the practical implications of HF's corrosiveness versus its acid dissociation could provide a more nuanced understanding of its classification.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The claim that hydrofluoric acid (HF) is a strong acid is false. The evidence shows that HF has a K_a value of approximately 6.6 × 10^(-4), indicating that it does not fully dissociate in water, which is a defining characteristic of strong acids. Comparisons with other hydrohalic acids further support this classification, as HF is significantly weaker than acids like hydrochloric acid (HCl) and hydrobromic acid (HBr), which dissociate completely.

It is important to acknowledge the context of HF's properties; while it is classified as a weak acid, its high corrosiveness and unique behavior can create misconceptions about its strength. This complexity highlights the need for careful consideration when discussing acid classifications.

Limitations in the available evidence include the potential for varying interpretations of acid strength based on different contexts, such as industrial applications versus theoretical definitions. Therefore, readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider multiple perspectives when assessing claims related to chemical properties.

Sources

  1. Table of Acid and Base Strength - UW Departments Web Server. Link
  2. Hydrohalic Acids - Yale University. Link
  3. Acid (Base) Strength - University of Texas at Austin. Link
  4. Hydrofluoric acid - Wikipedia. Link
  5. Is Hydrofluoric Acid a Strong or Weak Acid? - Science Notes and Projects. Link
  6. Acid and Base Chart — Table of Acids & Bases - MilliporeSigma. Link
  7. Is HF (Hydrofluoric Acid) a Strong Acid or a Weak Acid? - ThoughtCo. Link
  8. The Acidity of the Hydrogen Halides - Chemistry LibreTexts. Link
  9. Hydrofluoric Acid vs. Sulfuric Acid - Detailed Comparison. Link
  10. Is HF (Hydrofluoric Acid) a Strong Acid or Weak Acid ... - TutorOcean. Link

Have a claim you want to verify? It's 100% Free!

Our AI-powered fact-checker analyzes claims against thousands of reliable sources and provides evidence-based verdicts in seconds. Completely free with no registration required.

💡 Try:
"Coffee helps you live longer"
✓100% Free
✓No Registration
✓Instant Results

Comments

Leave a comment

Loading comments...

More Fact Checks to Explore

Discover similar claims and stay informed with these related fact-checks

Fact Check: MASSIVE bolt of plasma burst out of the sky striking I-40 near Alma, Arkansas last night! They're getting larger and more frequent as the Earth continues charging up. The further the magnetic North Pole continues racing toward Siberia the weaker Earth's protective magnetic shield becomes. More cosmic radiation from space and more UV, UVB, and UVC radiation from the Sun are penetrating deeper into our atmosphere and into the Earth. Earth's atmosphere is becoming highly charged and electrified causing massive plasma bursts like this to strike, causing more lightning strikes period. Lightning has even been documented striking on days without a storm cloud in sight. All the signatures of the binary twin solar system and the Destroyer's arrival just amplified dramatically this year. The alarmingly endless rainfall and flooding across the world is something I have never witnessed before in my ten years of reporting Earth's climate disasters. Folks who know weather for 60 - 70 years have never witnessed the sudden incredible down bursts of several inches of rain in just minutes that have been triggering nonstop catastrophic flash flooding across America and the rest of the world. It's just been nonstop this year. I've never seen so many very strong and powerful earthquakes strike since March when the 7.0+, 6.0+, 5.0+ magnitude earthquakes accelerated in frequency so fast. With aftershocks in numbers we've never seen before, in the hundreds. I've never seen so many fires breaking out across the world that just keep coming. Canada, the United States, the entire Mediterranean region, Europe, etc. The core of the Earth is expanding from the increase in radiation causing the rock to melt underneath our feet. Magma plumes are growing, lava tubes and corridors are expanding globally and reaching the Earth's surface, on land and under water. We've got a rash of volcanic activity on land and on the ocean floor heating up the water, melting the poles, causing marine life die offs, and fueling the atmosphere with high humidity and water vapor for more frequent and intense storming. All the symptoms of the arrival of the binary twin solar system that was expected are being checked off. This will just continue to worsen in the coming days. Mid-August is almost here and watching for the extreme weather to intensify. We're heading into severe birth pangs now. Listening for updates and watching it unfold live. Remarkable days.
False
🎯 Similar

Fact Check: MASSIVE bolt of plasma burst out of the sky striking I-40 near Alma, Arkansas last night! They're getting larger and more frequent as the Earth continues charging up. The further the magnetic North Pole continues racing toward Siberia the weaker Earth's protective magnetic shield becomes. More cosmic radiation from space and more UV, UVB, and UVC radiation from the Sun are penetrating deeper into our atmosphere and into the Earth. Earth's atmosphere is becoming highly charged and electrified causing massive plasma bursts like this to strike, causing more lightning strikes period. Lightning has even been documented striking on days without a storm cloud in sight. All the signatures of the binary twin solar system and the Destroyer's arrival just amplified dramatically this year. The alarmingly endless rainfall and flooding across the world is something I have never witnessed before in my ten years of reporting Earth's climate disasters. Folks who know weather for 60 - 70 years have never witnessed the sudden incredible down bursts of several inches of rain in just minutes that have been triggering nonstop catastrophic flash flooding across America and the rest of the world. It's just been nonstop this year. I've never seen so many very strong and powerful earthquakes strike since March when the 7.0+, 6.0+, 5.0+ magnitude earthquakes accelerated in frequency so fast. With aftershocks in numbers we've never seen before, in the hundreds. I've never seen so many fires breaking out across the world that just keep coming. Canada, the United States, the entire Mediterranean region, Europe, etc. The core of the Earth is expanding from the increase in radiation causing the rock to melt underneath our feet. Magma plumes are growing, lava tubes and corridors are expanding globally and reaching the Earth's surface, on land and under water. We've got a rash of volcanic activity on land and on the ocean floor heating up the water, melting the poles, causing marine life die offs, and fueling the atmosphere with high humidity and water vapor for more frequent and intense storming. All the symptoms of the arrival of the binary twin solar system that was expected are being checked off. This will just continue to worsen in the coming days. Mid-August is almost here and watching for the extreme weather to intensify. We're heading into severe birth pangs now. Listening for updates and watching it unfold live. Remarkable days.

Detailed fact-check analysis of: MASSIVE bolt of plasma burst out of the sky striking I-40 near Alma, Arkansas last night! They're getting larger and more frequent as the Earth continues charging up. The further the magnetic North Pole continues racing toward Siberia the weaker Earth's protective magnetic shield becomes. More cosmic radiation from space and more UV, UVB, and UVC radiation from the Sun are penetrating deeper into our atmosphere and into the Earth. Earth's atmosphere is becoming highly charged and electrified causing massive plasma bursts like this to strike, causing more lightning strikes period. Lightning has even been documented striking on days without a storm cloud in sight. All the signatures of the binary twin solar system and the Destroyer's arrival just amplified dramatically this year. The alarmingly endless rainfall and flooding across the world is something I have never witnessed before in my ten years of reporting Earth's climate disasters. Folks who know weather for 60 - 70 years have never witnessed the sudden incredible down bursts of several inches of rain in just minutes that have been triggering nonstop catastrophic flash flooding across America and the rest of the world. It's just been nonstop this year. I've never seen so many very strong and powerful earthquakes strike since March when the 7.0+, 6.0+, 5.0+ magnitude earthquakes accelerated in frequency so fast. With aftershocks in numbers we've never seen before, in the hundreds. I've never seen so many fires breaking out across the world that just keep coming. Canada, the United States, the entire Mediterranean region, Europe, etc. The core of the Earth is expanding from the increase in radiation causing the rock to melt underneath our feet. Magma plumes are growing, lava tubes and corridors are expanding globally and reaching the Earth's surface, on land and under water. We've got a rash of volcanic activity on land and on the ocean floor heating up the water, melting the poles, causing marine life die offs, and fueling the atmosphere with high humidity and water vapor for more frequent and intense storming. All the symptoms of the arrival of the binary twin solar system that was expected are being checked off. This will just continue to worsen in the coming days. Mid-August is almost here and watching for the extreme weather to intensify. We're heading into severe birth pangs now. Listening for updates and watching it unfold live. Remarkable days.

Aug 13, 2025
Read more →
Fact Check: MASSIVE bolt of plasma burst out of the sky striking I-40 near Alma, Arkansas last night! They're getting larger and more frequent as the Earth continues charging up. The further the magnetic North Pole continues racing toward Siberia the weaker Earth's protective magnetic shield becomes. More cosmic radiation from space and more UV, UVB, and UVC radiation from the Sun are penetrating deeper into our atmosphere and into the Earth. Earth's atmosphere is becoming highly charged and electrified causing massive plasma bursts like this to strike, causing more lightning strikes period. Lightning has even been documented striking on days without a storm cloud in sight. All the signatures of the binary twin solar system and the Destroyer's arrival just amplified dramatically this year. The alarmingly endless rainfall and flooding across the world is something I have never witnessed before in my ten years of reporting Earth's climate disasters. Folks who know weather for 60 - 70 years have never witnessed the sudden incredible down bursts of several inches of rain in just minutes that have been triggering nonstop catastrophic flash flooding across America and the rest of the world. It's just been nonstop this year. I've never seen so many very strong and powerful earthquakes strike since March when the 7.0+, 6.0+, 5.0+ magnitude earthquakes accelerated in frequency so fast. With aftershocks in numbers we've never seen before, in the hundreds. I've never seen so many fires breaking out across the world that just keep coming. Canada, the United States, the entire Mediterranean region, Europe, etc. The core of the Earth is expanding from the increase in radiation causing the rock to melt underneath our feet. Magma plumes are growing, lava tubes and corridors are expanding globally and reaching the Earth's surface, on land and under water. We've got a rash of volcanic activity on land and on the ocean floor heating up the water, melting the poles, causing marine life die offs, and fueling the atmosphere with high humidity and water vapor for more frequent and intense storming. All the symptoms of the arrival of the binary twin solar system that was expected are being checked off. This will just continue to worsen in the coming days. Mid-August is almost here and watching for the extreme weather to intensify. We're heading into severe birth pangs now. Listening for updates and watching it unfold live. Remarkable days.
False
🎯 Similar

Fact Check: MASSIVE bolt of plasma burst out of the sky striking I-40 near Alma, Arkansas last night! They're getting larger and more frequent as the Earth continues charging up. The further the magnetic North Pole continues racing toward Siberia the weaker Earth's protective magnetic shield becomes. More cosmic radiation from space and more UV, UVB, and UVC radiation from the Sun are penetrating deeper into our atmosphere and into the Earth. Earth's atmosphere is becoming highly charged and electrified causing massive plasma bursts like this to strike, causing more lightning strikes period. Lightning has even been documented striking on days without a storm cloud in sight. All the signatures of the binary twin solar system and the Destroyer's arrival just amplified dramatically this year. The alarmingly endless rainfall and flooding across the world is something I have never witnessed before in my ten years of reporting Earth's climate disasters. Folks who know weather for 60 - 70 years have never witnessed the sudden incredible down bursts of several inches of rain in just minutes that have been triggering nonstop catastrophic flash flooding across America and the rest of the world. It's just been nonstop this year. I've never seen so many very strong and powerful earthquakes strike since March when the 7.0+, 6.0+, 5.0+ magnitude earthquakes accelerated in frequency so fast. With aftershocks in numbers we've never seen before, in the hundreds. I've never seen so many fires breaking out across the world that just keep coming. Canada, the United States, the entire Mediterranean region, Europe, etc. The core of the Earth is expanding from the increase in radiation causing the rock to melt underneath our feet. Magma plumes are growing, lava tubes and corridors are expanding globally and reaching the Earth's surface, on land and under water. We've got a rash of volcanic activity on land and on the ocean floor heating up the water, melting the poles, causing marine life die offs, and fueling the atmosphere with high humidity and water vapor for more frequent and intense storming. All the symptoms of the arrival of the binary twin solar system that was expected are being checked off. This will just continue to worsen in the coming days. Mid-August is almost here and watching for the extreme weather to intensify. We're heading into severe birth pangs now. Listening for updates and watching it unfold live. Remarkable days.

Detailed fact-check analysis of: MASSIVE bolt of plasma burst out of the sky striking I-40 near Alma, Arkansas last night! They're getting larger and more frequent as the Earth continues charging up. The further the magnetic North Pole continues racing toward Siberia the weaker Earth's protective magnetic shield becomes. More cosmic radiation from space and more UV, UVB, and UVC radiation from the Sun are penetrating deeper into our atmosphere and into the Earth. Earth's atmosphere is becoming highly charged and electrified causing massive plasma bursts like this to strike, causing more lightning strikes period. Lightning has even been documented striking on days without a storm cloud in sight. All the signatures of the binary twin solar system and the Destroyer's arrival just amplified dramatically this year. The alarmingly endless rainfall and flooding across the world is something I have never witnessed before in my ten years of reporting Earth's climate disasters. Folks who know weather for 60 - 70 years have never witnessed the sudden incredible down bursts of several inches of rain in just minutes that have been triggering nonstop catastrophic flash flooding across America and the rest of the world. It's just been nonstop this year. I've never seen so many very strong and powerful earthquakes strike since March when the 7.0+, 6.0+, 5.0+ magnitude earthquakes accelerated in frequency so fast. With aftershocks in numbers we've never seen before, in the hundreds. I've never seen so many fires breaking out across the world that just keep coming. Canada, the United States, the entire Mediterranean region, Europe, etc. The core of the Earth is expanding from the increase in radiation causing the rock to melt underneath our feet. Magma plumes are growing, lava tubes and corridors are expanding globally and reaching the Earth's surface, on land and under water. We've got a rash of volcanic activity on land and on the ocean floor heating up the water, melting the poles, causing marine life die offs, and fueling the atmosphere with high humidity and water vapor for more frequent and intense storming. All the symptoms of the arrival of the binary twin solar system that was expected are being checked off. This will just continue to worsen in the coming days. Mid-August is almost here and watching for the extreme weather to intensify. We're heading into severe birth pangs now. Listening for updates and watching it unfold live. Remarkable days.

Aug 13, 2025
Read more →
🔍
Unverified
🎯 Similar

Fact Check: 1. Market Attraction and Outreach • Are we effectively targeting overnight visitors from Tucson and Phoenix, our two largest markets? How can we improve our outreach and engagement strategies to attract more long-term guests from these key regions? • Are there untapped markets, such as Albuquerque or Houston, that we should pursue more aggressively? What customized marketing or partnerships could help us reach these potential visitors? • Are our online and in-person efforts sufficient to connect with our highest-volume markets? How can we leverage digital marketing, social media, and local partnerships to increase visibility? • Are we telling compelling stories that resonate with potential visitors from places like Denver or Las Vegas? What narratives or unique selling points could better showcase what Cochise County offers? ________________________________________ 2. Understanding Visitor Behavior and Enhancing Stay Duration • Why do visitors from farther away (Dallas, L.A., Las Vegas) tend to stay longer than local Arizonans? What aspects of our offerings appeal to out-of-state visitors, and how can we replicate or enhance those features? • What specific experiences or amenities could we add to encourage longer stays? Are there activities, events, or accommodations that could keep visitors engaged and extend their visits? • How can we foster repeat visitation and encourage visitors to share their experiences with others? What loyalty programs, referral incentives, or community engagement initiatives could support this? ________________________________________ 3. Seasonal Planning and Business Collaboration • Are we prepared to maximize revenue during peak months like March and October? What marketing campaigns, special events, or package deals can we implement to capitalize on these periods? • What strategies can we adopt during slower months (June, July, August) to attract more visitors? Could off-season promotions, themed events, or targeted advertising fill the gap? • How can local businesses collaborate to turn single-night stays into multi-night visits? Are there bundled packages, cross-promotions, or joint events that encourage longer stays? • What small changes or new offerings (events, experiences, packages) could boost tourism during quieter months? How can we creatively leverage local heritage, outdoor activities, or seasonal festivals? ________________________________________ 4. Enhancing Visitor Experience and Community Engagement • How can we better welcome and serve visitors from Tucson and Phoenix, who already love Cochise County? Are there tailored experiences or concierge services that could deepen their connection? • How can our businesses support each other to leave a strong, lasting impression on first-time visitors? Can we develop cross-business collaborations, shared marketing efforts, or community ambassador programs? • How can we celebrate our heritage while offering fresh, innovative experiences to attract new guests? What storytelling, cultural events, or experiential tourism can showcase our unique identity? • Are there stories or local narratives we’re not telling enough, which could attract diverse markets? How can storytelling be integrated into our marketing to highlight authenticity and appeal? ________________________________________ 5. Long-term Community and Economic Sustainability • What does this visitor data suggest about staffing, marketing, and infrastructure planning for the upcoming year? How can we align resources to meet demand during peak times and prepare for slower periods? • How do we ensure that tourism supports and strengthens our community and economy sustainably? What measures can we implement to balance growth with community well-being, environmental preservation, and local culture?

Detailed fact-check analysis of: 1. Market Attraction and Outreach • Are we effectively targeting overnight visitors from Tucson and Phoenix, our two largest markets? How can we improve our outreach and engagement strategies to attract more long-term guests from these key regions? • Are there untapped markets, such as Albuquerque or Houston, that we should pursue more aggressively? What customized marketing or partnerships could help us reach these potential visitors? • Are our online and in-person efforts sufficient to connect with our highest-volume markets? How can we leverage digital marketing, social media, and local partnerships to increase visibility? • Are we telling compelling stories that resonate with potential visitors from places like Denver or Las Vegas? What narratives or unique selling points could better showcase what Cochise County offers? ________________________________________ 2. Understanding Visitor Behavior and Enhancing Stay Duration • Why do visitors from farther away (Dallas, L.A., Las Vegas) tend to stay longer than local Arizonans? What aspects of our offerings appeal to out-of-state visitors, and how can we replicate or enhance those features? • What specific experiences or amenities could we add to encourage longer stays? Are there activities, events, or accommodations that could keep visitors engaged and extend their visits? • How can we foster repeat visitation and encourage visitors to share their experiences with others? What loyalty programs, referral incentives, or community engagement initiatives could support this? ________________________________________ 3. Seasonal Planning and Business Collaboration • Are we prepared to maximize revenue during peak months like March and October? What marketing campaigns, special events, or package deals can we implement to capitalize on these periods? • What strategies can we adopt during slower months (June, July, August) to attract more visitors? Could off-season promotions, themed events, or targeted advertising fill the gap? • How can local businesses collaborate to turn single-night stays into multi-night visits? Are there bundled packages, cross-promotions, or joint events that encourage longer stays? • What small changes or new offerings (events, experiences, packages) could boost tourism during quieter months? How can we creatively leverage local heritage, outdoor activities, or seasonal festivals? ________________________________________ 4. Enhancing Visitor Experience and Community Engagement • How can we better welcome and serve visitors from Tucson and Phoenix, who already love Cochise County? Are there tailored experiences or concierge services that could deepen their connection? • How can our businesses support each other to leave a strong, lasting impression on first-time visitors? Can we develop cross-business collaborations, shared marketing efforts, or community ambassador programs? • How can we celebrate our heritage while offering fresh, innovative experiences to attract new guests? What storytelling, cultural events, or experiential tourism can showcase our unique identity? • Are there stories or local narratives we’re not telling enough, which could attract diverse markets? How can storytelling be integrated into our marketing to highlight authenticity and appeal? ________________________________________ 5. Long-term Community and Economic Sustainability • What does this visitor data suggest about staffing, marketing, and infrastructure planning for the upcoming year? How can we align resources to meet demand during peak times and prepare for slower periods? • How do we ensure that tourism supports and strengthens our community and economy sustainably? What measures can we implement to balance growth with community well-being, environmental preservation, and local culture?

Jul 21, 2025
Read more →
🔍
Partially True

Fact Check: Paul Krugman Paul Krugman We’re All Rats Now Time to take a stand, again, against racism Paul Krugman Jun 30, 2025 Zohran Mamdani’s upset victory in New York’s Democratic primary has created panic in MAGAland. Stephen Miller, the architect of Donald Trump’s deportation policies, waxed apocalyptic: Scott Bessent, the Treasury secretary, declared that New York is about to turn into “Caracas on the Hudson.” And Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama basically declared New York’s voters subhuman, saying: These inner-city rats, they live off the federal government. And that’s one reason we’re $37 trillion in debt. And it’s time we find these rats and we send them back home, that are living off the American taxpayers that are working very hard every week to pay taxes. These reactions are vile, and they’re also dishonest. Whatever these men may claim, it’s all about bigotry. Miller isn’t concerned about the state of New York “society.” What bothers him is the idea of nonwhite people having political power. Bessent isn’t really deeply worried about Zamdani’s economic ideas. But he feels free, maybe even obliged, to slander a foreign-born Muslim with language he would never use about a white Christian politician, even if that politician were (like some of his colleagues in the Trump administration) a total crackpot. And while Tuberville stands out even within his caucus as an ignorant fool, his willingness to use dehumanizing language about millions of people shows that raw racism is rapidly becoming mainstream in American politics. Remember, during the campaign both Trump and JD Vance amplified the slanders about Haitians eating pets. And now that they’re in office, you can see the resurgence of raw racism all across Trump administration policies, large and small. You can see it, for example, in the cuts at the National Institutes of Health, which are so tilted against racial minorities that a federal judge — one appointed by Ronald Reagan! — declared I’ve never seen a record where racial discrimination was so palpable. I’ve sat on this bench now for 40 years. I’ve never seen government racial discrimination like this. You can see it in the renaming of military bases after Confederate generals — that is, traitors who fought for slavery. You can even see it in a change in the military’s shaving policy that is clearly custom-designed to drive Black men — who account for around a quarter of the Army’s new recruits — out of the service. So racism and bigotry are back, big time. Who’s safe? Nobody. Are you a legal immigrant? Well, the Supreme Court just allowed Trump to summarily strip half a million U.S. residents of that status, and only a fool would imagine that this is the end of the story. Anyway, when masked men who claim to be ICE agents but refuse to show identification are grabbing people off the streets because they think those people look illegal, does legal status even matter? Does it even matter if you’re a U.S. citizen? And the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is set to massively increase ICE’s funding — basically setting up a huge national secret police force. Now, maybe you imagine that you yourself won’t suffer from this new reign of bigotry and imagine that everyone you care about is similarly safe. But if that’s what you think, you’re likely to face a rude awakening. I personally don’t have any illusions of safety. Yes, I’m a native-born white citizen. But my wife and her family are Black, and some of my friends and relatives are foreign-born U.S. citizens. Furthermore, I’m Jewish, and anyone who knows their history realizes that whenever right-wing bigotry is on the ascendant, we’re always next in line. Are there really people out there naïve enough to believe MAGA’s claims to be against antisemitism, who can’t see the transparent cynicism and dishonesty? The fact is that the Trump administration already contains a number of figures with strong ties to antisemitic extremists. The Great Replacement Theory, which has de facto become part of MAGA’s ideology, doesn’t just say that there’s a conspiracy to replace whites with people of color; it says that it’s a Jewish conspiracy. So I’m definitely scared of what the many antisemites inside or with close ties to the Trump administration may eventually do. And no, I’m not frightened at all by the prospect that New York may soon have a somewhat leftist Muslim mayor. Anyway, my personal fears are beside the point. Everyone who cares about keeping America America needs to take a stand against the resurgence of bigotry. Because the truth is that we’re all rats now. MUSICAL CODA Discussion about this post Michael Roseman Jun 30 Edited For a while, American bigotry was ashamed of itself. Or pretended to be. Now it runs the government. Reply Share 106 replies Megan Rothery Jun 30 Edited Take a stand - Call. Write. Email. Protest. Unrelentingly. Use/share this spreadsheet as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Reach out to those in your own state, as well as those in others. Use your voice and make some “good trouble” ❤️‍🩹🤍💙 https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13lYafj0P-6owAJcH-5_xcpcRvMUZI7rkBPW-Ma9e7hw/edit?usp=drivesdk Reply Share 31 replies 852 more comments... No posts Ready for more? © 2025 Paul Krugman Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice Start writing Get the app Substack is the home for great culture

Detailed fact-check analysis of: Paul Krugman Paul Krugman We’re All Rats Now Time to take a stand, again, against racism Paul Krugman Jun 30, 2025 Zohran Mamdani’s upset victory in New York’s Democratic primary has created panic in MAGAland. Stephen Miller, the architect of Donald Trump’s deportation policies, waxed apocalyptic: Scott Bessent, the Treasury secretary, declared that New York is about to turn into “Caracas on the Hudson.” And Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama basically declared New York’s voters subhuman, saying: These inner-city rats, they live off the federal government. And that’s one reason we’re $37 trillion in debt. And it’s time we find these rats and we send them back home, that are living off the American taxpayers that are working very hard every week to pay taxes. These reactions are vile, and they’re also dishonest. Whatever these men may claim, it’s all about bigotry. Miller isn’t concerned about the state of New York “society.” What bothers him is the idea of nonwhite people having political power. Bessent isn’t really deeply worried about Zamdani’s economic ideas. But he feels free, maybe even obliged, to slander a foreign-born Muslim with language he would never use about a white Christian politician, even if that politician were (like some of his colleagues in the Trump administration) a total crackpot. And while Tuberville stands out even within his caucus as an ignorant fool, his willingness to use dehumanizing language about millions of people shows that raw racism is rapidly becoming mainstream in American politics. Remember, during the campaign both Trump and JD Vance amplified the slanders about Haitians eating pets. And now that they’re in office, you can see the resurgence of raw racism all across Trump administration policies, large and small. You can see it, for example, in the cuts at the National Institutes of Health, which are so tilted against racial minorities that a federal judge — one appointed by Ronald Reagan! — declared I’ve never seen a record where racial discrimination was so palpable. I’ve sat on this bench now for 40 years. I’ve never seen government racial discrimination like this. You can see it in the renaming of military bases after Confederate generals — that is, traitors who fought for slavery. You can even see it in a change in the military’s shaving policy that is clearly custom-designed to drive Black men — who account for around a quarter of the Army’s new recruits — out of the service. So racism and bigotry are back, big time. Who’s safe? Nobody. Are you a legal immigrant? Well, the Supreme Court just allowed Trump to summarily strip half a million U.S. residents of that status, and only a fool would imagine that this is the end of the story. Anyway, when masked men who claim to be ICE agents but refuse to show identification are grabbing people off the streets because they think those people look illegal, does legal status even matter? Does it even matter if you’re a U.S. citizen? And the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is set to massively increase ICE’s funding — basically setting up a huge national secret police force. Now, maybe you imagine that you yourself won’t suffer from this new reign of bigotry and imagine that everyone you care about is similarly safe. But if that’s what you think, you’re likely to face a rude awakening. I personally don’t have any illusions of safety. Yes, I’m a native-born white citizen. But my wife and her family are Black, and some of my friends and relatives are foreign-born U.S. citizens. Furthermore, I’m Jewish, and anyone who knows their history realizes that whenever right-wing bigotry is on the ascendant, we’re always next in line. Are there really people out there naïve enough to believe MAGA’s claims to be against antisemitism, who can’t see the transparent cynicism and dishonesty? The fact is that the Trump administration already contains a number of figures with strong ties to antisemitic extremists. The Great Replacement Theory, which has de facto become part of MAGA’s ideology, doesn’t just say that there’s a conspiracy to replace whites with people of color; it says that it’s a Jewish conspiracy. So I’m definitely scared of what the many antisemites inside or with close ties to the Trump administration may eventually do. And no, I’m not frightened at all by the prospect that New York may soon have a somewhat leftist Muslim mayor. Anyway, my personal fears are beside the point. Everyone who cares about keeping America America needs to take a stand against the resurgence of bigotry. Because the truth is that we’re all rats now. MUSICAL CODA Discussion about this post Michael Roseman Jun 30 Edited For a while, American bigotry was ashamed of itself. Or pretended to be. Now it runs the government. Reply Share 106 replies Megan Rothery Jun 30 Edited Take a stand - Call. Write. Email. Protest. Unrelentingly. Use/share this spreadsheet as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Reach out to those in your own state, as well as those in others. Use your voice and make some “good trouble” ❤️‍🩹🤍💙 https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13lYafj0P-6owAJcH-5_xcpcRvMUZI7rkBPW-Ma9e7hw/edit?usp=drivesdk Reply Share 31 replies 852 more comments... No posts Ready for more? © 2025 Paul Krugman Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice Start writing Get the app Substack is the home for great culture

Jul 20, 2025
Read more →
Fact Check: ASML cannot confirm growth in 2026 despite strong AI demand.
True

Fact Check: ASML cannot confirm growth in 2026 despite strong AI demand.

Detailed fact-check analysis of: ASML cannot confirm growth in 2026 despite strong AI demand.

Jul 16, 2025
Read more →
Fact Check: Political rhetoric often includes strong language to express disagreement.
Unverified

Fact Check: Political rhetoric often includes strong language to express disagreement.

Detailed fact-check analysis of: Political rhetoric often includes strong language to express disagreement.

Jul 3, 2025
Read more →
Explore All Fact Checks
Fact Check: Is HF a strong acid? | TruthOrFake Blog