Fact-checking Donald Trump and Kamala Harris’s first 2024 presidential debate
The September 10, 2024, debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump started with a handshake but quickly escalated into a heated exchange.
They debated key issues such as abortion, immigration, and crime.
Trump repeated debunked claims about Haitian immigrants in Ohio and falsely claimed he “saved” the Affordable Care Act.
Harris exaggerated some points, including claims about Trump’s abortion monitoring plans. Moderators fact-checked both candidates throughout the debate.
After the event, Taylor Swift endorsed Harris on Instagram.
During the first 2024 presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, multiple claims from both candidates required fact-checking:
Inflation under Biden-Harris: Trump stated that the U.S. experienced its “worst inflation ever” under the Biden-Harris administration.
This is false. While inflation did peak at 9% in 2022, the highest rate in four decades, it was not the highest ever recorded. In the 1970s and early 1980s, inflation reached up to 15%, and after World War II, it even surpassed 18%
2020 Election Lawsuits: Trump claimed that no judge looked at the evidence regarding 2020 election fraud, asserting that courts rejected his cases on “technicalities.”
This is misleading. Although some cases were dismissed for lack of standing, others were ruled on their merits, and judges found no credible evidence of widespread fraud.
Capitol Riot Responsibility: Trump blamed Nancy Pelosi for failing to prevent the January 6 Capitol attack.
This claim is exaggerated. While Pelosi plays a role in Capitol security oversight, she was not solely responsible. Furthermore, there’s no evidence Trump directly ordered National Guard troops for the day.
Defunding the Police: Trump claimed that Harris has a plan to defund the police,
but this is mostly false. While Harris has expressed support for reimagining public safety and reallocating some police funds to community programs, she has not called for abolishing the police.
Harris on January 6 Casualties: Harris inaccurately claimed that law enforcement officers died during the January 6 Capitol riot. While 140 officers were injured, none died that day, although some did pass away in the following months.
Both candidates offered a mix of accurate statements and exaggerations, highlighting the need for careful scrutiny of their remarks during the debate.
