September 02 ,2009
The Lie: "President Obama....wants to mandate circumcision."
The Liar: Rush Limbaugh
The Context: On his August 25 show, Limbaugh responded to a song by hip hop superstar Jay-Z which told Limbaugh to "get off my balls."
Limbaugh: Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
Why It's a Lie: House Bill 3200 does not mandate circumcision. In his public statements, as either a candidate or as president, Barack Obama has not used the word circumcision.
The Context: "As far as I know I have never been mentioned in a rap song by anybody. I guess it means I've made it. I'm now in a rap tune by the famous rapper Jay-Z. (The song says) '[T]ell Bill O'Reilly to fall back. Tell Rush Limbaugh to get off my balls.' I would remind the rapper Jay-Z: Mr. Z, it is President Obama who wants to mandate circumcision. We had that story yesterday; and that means if we need to save our penises from anybody, it's Obama. I did not know I was on anybody's balls, either. I'm happy to know that they think I am, though! But I didn't actually know that I was."
Is There a Grain of Truth?: Not really. The only remote tie to White House policies regarding circumcision, Politifacts points out, is a series of HIV/AIDs discussions between the White House and the Center on Disease Control. But discussions about circumcision recommendations to prevent AIDS has been a topic with the CDC since 2007--when George Bush was president.
