THURSDAY EDITION Snopes Debunker 18 February 2021 Did Ted Cruz Fly to Cancun During Texas Energy Crisis? On Feb. 17, 2021, after arctic temperatures wreaked havoc on Texas’ electricity system, leaving more than 3 million residents without power, Snopes became aware of reports accusing U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of fleeing his home state for a vacation in Cancun, Mexico. Snopes reporter Jessica Lee has more on this developing story. Read More We want to hear from you! Snopes is assessing various types of content we publish and would love your feedback. Take the Survey Fact Checks Were Frozen Wind Turbines in Texas a Major Factor in Power Outages? Millions of Texans went without heat and electricity as February 2021 snow and an ill-prepared infrastructure resulted in power outages. ❌  Mostly False   Did Donald Trump Jr. Call Rush Limbaugh a ‘True American Icon’? The former president's eldest son praised the radio host. ✅  Correct Attribution   Did Rush Limbaugh Say the Purpose of Marriage Is Raising Children? The conservative pundit married four times, but had no children. ✅  Mostly True   Did Mike Pence Say ‘America Lost a Giant’ About Rush Limbaugh? The former vice president reportedly commemorated Limbaugh on Twitter. ✅  Correct Attribution   Did Rush Limbaugh Downplay COVID as ‘the Common Cold’? On one show in March 2020, Limbaugh also falsely claimed that news organizations weren't reporting the then-low number of deaths because it would make Trump look good. ✅  Correct Attribution View Latest Fact Checks Support Snopes Today Every dollar that you contribute to Snopes goes directly toward growing our newsroom, expanding our fact-checking efforts, and improving our website’s experience. $5 $10 $20.21 $50 $100 Other News When Are US Senators Next Up for Reelection? Thirty-four of the 100 U.S. Senate seats will be contested on Nov. 8, 2022. Read More   EXPLAINER: What’s Up Between Google, Facebook and Australia? Australia is joining France and other governments in pushing Google, Facebook and other internet giants to pay news outlets. Read More   Dolly Parton Asks Tennessee Not to Put Her Statue at Capitol Dolly Parton is asking Tennessee lawmakers to withdraw a bill that would erect a statue of her on the Capitol grounds in Nashville. Read More   UN: Huge Changes in Society Needed to Keep Nature, Earth OK Humans are making Earth a broken and increasingly unlivable planet through climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Read More   Britain’s Prince Philip Remains in Hospital As ‘Precaution’ Buckingham Palace said the admission was “a precautionary measure” taken on the advice of Philip’s doctor, and that the royal is expected to remain there for a few days of “observation and rest.” Read More

View Latest News Staff Pick Did Mark Twain Say ‘I Have Read Some Obituaries With Great Pleasure’? Mark Twain has definitely written some witty lines. Read More