👇 Here are direct quotes from the host of the Kennedy Center Christmas Eve jazz concert about its cancellation:
1. “I did choose to cancel our Kennedy Center Christmas Eve Jazz Jam when I saw the name change happening last Friday.” — Chuck Redd, host of the show.
2. “I’ve been performing at the Kennedy Center since the beginning of my career and I was saddened to see this name change.” — Chuck Redd.
3. (Implied by reports) The Kennedy Center board voted to rename the facility the “Trump Kennedy Center” — a decision that sparked the cancellation.
4. Some critics say Trump’s move represents an attempt to reshape U.S. institutions, though Trump frames it as addressing perceived liberal bias.
🤔 Your turn: Where’s the fallacy? Which thinking traps can you spot in these statements and reactions?

👇 Here are direct statements from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about recent peace discussions with U.S. negotiators:
1. “It was a really good conversation… many details, good ideas… on how to bring real peace closer.” — Zelenskyy on meeting with U.S. envoys.
2. “There are some new ideas on how to bring the real peace closer… concerning formats, meetings, and the timeline.”
3. “We are truly working 24/7 to bring closer the end of this brutal Russian war against Ukraine.”
4. “All documents and steps are realistic, effective, and reliable.”
5. “Key territorial questions remain unresolved and may require direct talks.”
🤔 Your turn: Where’s the fallacy? Which thinking traps can you spot in these statements?

👇 Here are phrases from the protest that were reported in connection with Greta Thunberg’s arrest:
1. “I support the Palestine Action prisoners.” — text on the sign Thunberg was holding.
2. “I oppose genocide.” — also on the placard at the demonstration.
3. The protest targeted an insurance company accused of aiding a defense firm linked to conflicts.
4. Authorities arrested her under a terrorism law for displaying support for a proscribed organisation.
🤔 Your turn: Where’s the fallacy? Which thinking traps can you spot in these statements and slogans?

👇 Here are some viral claims that have been circulating about Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua — but note these are claims online, not verified statements from either boxer:
1. “Jake Paul is suing Anthony Joshua for breaking his jaw.”
2. “Paul is seeking compensation for his injury after the fight.”
3. “There’s a lawsuit filed in court accusing Joshua of intentional harm.”
4. “Paul will take legal action against Joshua for medical bills.”
5. “The injury has sparked a major lawsuit that could change boxing contracts.”

🤔 Your turn: Where’s the fallacy? Which thinking traps can you spot in these viral claims?

🗣️ Here are some direct statements from the parties involved in the Oklahoma University grading dispute:

1. University of Oklahoma: “The graduate teaching assistant was arbitrary in the grading of this specific paper.”
2. Mel Curth (TA): “I am not deducting points because you have certain beliefs… but because the paper did not answer the questions, contradicts itself, heavily uses personal ideology over empirical evidence, and is at times offensive.”
3. Curth on science: “Every major psychological, medical, pediatric, and psychiatric association … acknowledges that … sex and gender is neither binary nor fixed.”
4. Samantha Fulnecky (student): “I definitely think that I was being punished for what I believe… I very clearly stated my beliefs and what the Bible says about gender and those roles.”
5. University statement: “We are committed to teaching students how to think, not what to think.”

🤔 Your turn: Where’s the fallacy? Which thinking traps can you spot in these statements?

👇 Here are excerpts from the recently released Epstein files showing email exchanges involving Prince Andrew

1. “How’s LA? Have you found me some new inappropriate friends?” — Email from “A” signed “A xxx” sent from Balmoral.
2. “The Girls are completely shattered…” — referring to people in his company.
3. “I am up here at Balmoral… Activities take place all day and I am totally exhausted…” — self-description near the start of the note.
4. “…I am free from 25th August until 2nd Sept and want to go somewhere hot and sunny with some fun people…” — continued request.
5. “So sorry to disappoint you… I have only been able to find appropriate friends.” — Maxwell’s reply.
6. “Distraught!” — response from “A” after Maxwell’s reply.
🤔 Your turn: Where’s the fallacy? Which thinking traps can you spot in these statements?

👇 Here are direct quotes attributed to Sigourney Weaver from the interview:
1. “I didn’t feel it was appropriate for my character to kiss someone so much younger.”
2. “I think Alien is the most important movie I’ve ever made.”
3. “I have always been serious about what I choose to do and why I’m doing it.”
4. “I’m fascinated by exploring different facets of life through my work.”
5. “Age has never defined what I do — it’s about the story and the character.”
🤔 Your turn: Where’s the fallacy? Which thinking traps can you spot in these statements?

✨ There’s a lot of talk about the ending of Pluribus — and the creators have explained why they chose it. Here are some statements from showrunner Vince Gilligan and the writers about the finale:

1. “It would have been satisfying but not as satisfying.” — on the original ending that was scrapped.
2. “Apple and Sony said, ‘Is there an even better ending to be had?’ And we listened.” — on why the dramatic finale was chosen.
3. “It made for a better ending.” — Gilligan on the new finale.
4. “Other than the atom bomb not being part of it, it was not open warfare.” — on how the original ending differed.

🤔 Your turn: Where’s the fallacy? Which thinking traps can you spot in these statements?

💡 Quick Context (for background, not to include in the post)

The finale of Pluribus — Apple TV’s sci-fi drama by Vince Gilligan — ends on a dramatic note with an atomic bomb element and a significant shift from an earlier, more subtle planned ending. The creators discussed the changes and why they think the new version works better.

👇 Here are some direct quotes from Nicki Minaj during her surprise appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest:
1. “This administration is full of people with heart and soul, and they make me proud of them.”
2. “Our vice president, he makes me … well, I love both of them.”
3. “Both of them have a very uncanny ability to be someone that you relate to.”
4. “It’s OK to change your mind.”
5. “Don’t be New-scum” (mocking California Governor Gavin Newsom with a nickname).
🤔 Your turn: Where’s the fallacy? Which thinking traps can you spot in these statements?

👇 Here are some direct and notable reactions from conservative figures after part of the Epstein files were released:

1. “The heavily redacted Epstein files are a betrayal of the MAGA movement.” — Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene
2. “This is politically motivated and insufficient transparency.” — Representative Thomas Massie
3. “[Conservatives] praised exposure of figures like Bill Clinton in unredacted photos.” — conservative commentary (mixed response)
4. “The release is not the full truth, and too much was obscured.” — Right-wing critics of the DOJ redactions
🤔 Your turn: Where’s the fallacy? Which thinking traps can you spot in these statements?