Trump vs Harris false claims/ Trump Harris debate facts/ debate misinformation 2024/ Trump Harris fact-check/ Newslooks/ Washington/ Ahead of their first debate, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris continue to promote misleading claims on key topics like abortion, the economy, and border security. This fact-check examines their recent statements and the truth behind them.
False Claims by Trump and Harris: Quick Looks
- Abortion: Trump falsely claims post-birth abortions are legal; Harris exaggerates Trump’s stance on a national ban.
- Economy: Trump inaccurately claims his presidency had the best economy in U.S. history.
- Afghanistan Withdrawal: Trump misleads on Harris’ role in the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal.
- Border Security: Trump exaggerates illegal border crossing numbers under Biden-Harris administration.
Election 2024 Debate: Trump and Harris Fact Focus
Deep Look
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are set to face off in their first debate, and their starkly different visions of the country’s current state have already produced a wave of misleading claims. While Trump paints a picture of rising chaos, with issues such as immigration and high inflation, Harris has focused on optimism, emphasizing progress and promising that “we’re not going back.”
The upcoming debate is expected to repeat many of the same false and misleading claims seen throughout their campaigns. Here’s a breakdown of the misleading rhetoric from both Trump and Harris on major issues.
Abortion
Abortion has become a central issue in the 2024 election after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Trump has repeatedly claimed, falsely, that some states allow women to get abortions after their babies are born, which is not true. Infanticide is illegal in every state, and no state permits killing a baby after birth.
Kamala Harris, in contrast, has attacked Trump by claiming he would enact a nationwide abortion ban. Trump has denied this, saying he would leave it to the states. However, in March 2024, Trump expressed support for a 15-week national ban, contradicting his more recent comments.
Afghanistan Withdrawal
Trump has blamed Harris for the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, where 13 American troops and more than 170 Afghans were killed in a suicide bombing. Trump often shifts blame to Harris, but independent assessments show Trump and Biden share responsibility. Trump’s 2020 deal with the Taliban set the stage for the withdrawal, while Biden’s decision to follow through with the plan escalated the situation. Harris was not identified as playing a significant role in decision-making.
The Economy
On the economy, Trump continues to tout his administration’s economic record as the best in U.S. history, but the facts tell a more nuanced story. Trump’s first three years saw an average economic growth rate of 2.67%, a respectable figure but far behind the 4% growth during Bill Clinton’s administration. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a severe recession in 2020, one of the largest economic downturns in modern U.S. history.
Harris has pushed her $25,000 down payment assistance proposal for first-time homebuyers. Experts warn that this could backfire by increasing housing demand, worsening the housing shortage, and driving prices higher.
Energy and Inflation
Trump consistently promises to reduce inflation by ramping up oil production. However, U.S. oil production already hit record highs under Biden’s administration. Trump also falsely claimed that all coal plants would be shut down under Biden’s EPA rules, but this is untrue. The rule only requires coal plants to reduce 90% of emissions by 2032, and closures are mostly due to economic competition from cheaper energy sources like natural gas.
Harris has faced scrutiny for her shifting stance on fracking. While she opposed fracking during her 2020 campaign, she now clarifies that she doesn’t support an outright ban on the practice.
Violent Crime
Both candidates have made misleading claims about crime rates. Trump points to rising crime under Biden-Harris, but FBI data shows violent crime trended downward after 2020, when it spiked due to the pandemic. Harris has focused on high crime during Trump’s presidency, but crime rates generally declined throughout Trump’s time in office, with the exception of the 2020 spike.
Border Security
Trump continues to attack Harris on border security, claiming that 20 million people have crossed the border under Biden-Harris. However, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported 7.1 million arrests for illegal crossings between January 2021 and June 2024. The actual number of individuals crossing is lower due to repeat attempts. Trump’s claims that illegal immigrants have caused a spike in crime are also unfounded, as there is no evidence to support this assertion.
Conclusion
As Trump and Harris prepare for their first debate, their records on major issues like the economy, immigration, and national security are already under scrutiny. Both candidates have repeatedly exaggerated or misrepresented facts in their campaign messaging. Voters heading into the debate will need to carefully weigh the truth behind each claim.
