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Misleading

The Reel says

Democrats bring Turkish anti-LGBTQ Sharia ideology to US?

checkthis · automated fact-check · How we check · Reel by @prestonmyers2026

The video accurately reports on a recent, severe crackdown on LGBTQ+ activists and journalists in Turkey under an operation called 'My Family is Safe.' However, it falsely claims Turkey operates under Sharia law; Turkey's legal system is secular and based on civil law. Furthermore, the video's conclusion that US Muslim Democratic politicians are trying to bring this anti-LGBTQ+ ideology to America is entirely false. The politicians named in the video, Zohran Mamdani and Abdul El-Sayed, have strong records of advocating for and expanding LGBTQ+ rights.

The Reel we checked▶

The Reel we checked

@prestonmyers2026

Prayers for the citizens of #Turkey to be shielded from this radical Islamic regime. 🙏🏼🇹🇷 Sharia Law has no place in America.

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The trick: Guilty by link

It tars someone with the views or acts of people linked to them (known as guilt by association).

“elect individuals that belong to this exact same ideology.”

It assumes US politicians share the political agenda of a foreign government simply because they share the same religion, ignoring their actual, opposing political records.

How this trick works and how to answer it →

What we checked

Turkish President Erdogan launched an operation called 'My Family is Safe' based on Sharia law that arrested hundreds of gay citizens.“Authorities launched a sweeping crackdown on LGBTI+ communities on Sep 12, dubbed as the "My Family Is Safe" operations.”Bianet
Turkey's judicial system is operating unofficially under Sharia law.“Turkey does not apply Sharia law in any part of its legal system. 👉 All courts follow modern civil, commercial, and criminal codes.”Kurucuk.tr
It implies: American Muslim politicians share the political and religious ideology of the Turkish government.“New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed an executive order Friday establishing the first-ever Mayor's Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs, fulfilling a campaign promise.”Cbsnews
It implies: The Democratic Party is working to implement Sharia law in the United States.“New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed an executive order Friday establishing the first-ever Mayor's Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs, fulfilling a campaign promise.”Cbsnews
Over 80 individuals are currently in Turkish custody facing up to three years in prison under fake charges.“Eighty-two people including LGBTI+ rights advocates have been placed in pretrial detention”Bianet
Turkish authorities have blocked gay rights organizations and social media supporting gay rights in Turkey.“hundreds of websites and social media accounts have been blocked as part of the operations.”Bianet
Journalists covering the arrests in Turkey have been taken into custody.“Journalist Tuğba Tekerek was detained on September 13 over her reporting.”ipi.media

What the Reel doesn't tell you

What each side says

Turkish government under ErdoganThe Turkish government states the operations are part of a national strategy to counter falling birth rates and protect traditional family values. Turkey's rights groups, EU call out LGBTQ+ crackdown

How it plays you

It wants you to think: “Muslim politicians are inherently a threat to LGBTQ+ rights and American freedoms.”

One foreign government's actions say nothing about millions of Muslims or American politicians who share that religion. Both named U.S. politicians have active public records supporting LGBTQ+ equality.

Short version

⚠️ MISLEADING 👉 The video accurately reports on a recent, severe crackdown on LGBTQ+ activists and journalists in Turkey under an operation called 'My Family is Safe.' However, it falsely claims Turkey operates under Sharia law; Turkey's legal system is secular and based on civil law. 🎭 Trick: Guilty by link 📰 Sources: Bianet, Kurucuk.tr 🔎 Full check: send this Reel to @checkthis.chat

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