Fact Checking Statements from the 2024 Presidential Debate
The 2024 presidential debate between President Biden and former President Donald Trump in Atlanta on June 27 was a heated exchange filled with claims and counterclaims. As journalists at CBS News fact-checked their statements, it became clear that both candidates made misleading or false statements on various topics, including immigration, the economy, abortion, and their records. Let’s dive into the fact-checking of some of the key claims made during the debate.
Trump’s Claim: “We had the greatest economy in the history of our country.”
During the debate, Trump boasted about the state of the economy during his presidency, claiming it was the greatest in U.S. history. However, fact-checkers at CBS News found this statement to be false. When looking at key economic indicators like GDP growth, Trump’s performance falls short compared to previous administrations. The average GDP growth during his tenure was only 2.49%, far below the growth rates seen under Presidents like Bill Clinton and Dwight Eisenhower.
Moreover, Trump’s claim about the unemployment rate was also debunked. While he touted a low unemployment rate before the pandemic, the data showed that the rate increased to 6.3% by the end of his term. In comparison, under President Biden, the unemployment rate stands at 4%, showing a slight improvement.
On the stock market performance, Trump’s assertion that he brought significant gains was met with scrutiny. While the S&P 500 index did increase during his presidency, the growth rate was not unprecedented. Previous administrations, like those of Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, saw higher stock market gains during their first terms.
Biden’s Claim: “I’m the only president this century that doesn’t have any troops dying anywhere in the world.”
During the debate, President Biden made a bold claim about the lack of troop casualties during his presidency. However, fact-checkers found this statement to be false. At least 16 U.S. service members had died while serving overseas during Biden’s term, with notable incidents in Afghanistan and Jordan. While the number of casualties was relatively low compared to previous conflicts, it still contradicted Biden’s assertion.
Trump’s Claim: “I did not refer to U.S. soldiers who were killed as ‘suckers and losers’.”
Former President Trump vehemently denied making derogatory remarks about fallen U.S. soldiers, but multiple sources contradicted his claim. Witnesses, including military officials and former aides, provided accounts of Trump’s disparaging comments about service members, particularly during a visit to a cemetery in France. The evidence presented by these sources refuted Trump’s denial of the reported comments.
Biden’s Claim: “40% fewer people are crossing the border illegally under my administration.”
President Biden’s statement about a decrease in illegal border crossings was partially true, according to fact-checkers. After implementing new policies in response to the surge in migration, the number of daily border crossings did decrease. However, historical data showed that similar low numbers were recorded during certain periods of the Trump administration, indicating that the reduction was not unprecedented.
Trump’s Claim: “People are coming in and killing our citizens at a level like we’ve never seen before.”
While some migrants entering the U.S. have been charged with serious crimes, including murder, the overall data did not support Trump’s claim of unprecedented violence. Studies have shown that migrants living in the country illegally do not commit crimes at higher rates than native-born Americans. Government statistics also indicated that only a small fraction of migrants processed by Border Patrol had criminal records.
On COVID: Trump’s Claim – “More people died under Biden administration than under mine.”
Former President Trump’s assertion that more people died from COVID-19 under the Biden administration was technically true, but it required context. While the death toll increased during Biden’s term, the accuracy of the data was called into question due to potential undercounting of fatalities. Fact-checkers highlighted the complexities of comparing COVID-19 death tolls between administrations, emphasizing the need for nuanced analysis.
In discussing abortion, Trump made a claim about a former Virginia governor supporting extreme measures, which was debunked by fact-checkers. The governor’s comments about late-term abortions were taken out of context, as he did not advocate for killing newborns, which is illegal in the U.S.
Trump’s assertion that Biden targeted him in a New York legal case to damage his reputation was refuted by the lack of federal jurisdiction over state cases. The claim that Biden pursued legal action against Trump for political reasons was deemed false.
Trump’s claim of lowering insulin prices for seniors was labeled as misleading by fact-checkers. While Trump did introduce a program to cap insulin costs for some Medicare plans, the policy was later expanded by the Biden administration to include all Medicare beneficiaries.
Biden’s Claim: “Trump wants to get rid of Social Security.”
President Biden’s claim that Trump aimed to cut Social Security was challenged by Trump’s statements and actions during his term. Trump had publicly stated his commitment to protecting Social Security and Medicare, contradicting Biden’s assertion.
Lastly, Trump’s claim of Biden having the “largest deficit” in U.S. history was debunked by Treasury data, which showed that the deficit peaked during Trump’s presidency, not Biden’s.
In conclusion, the fact-checking of statements made during the 2024 presidential debate revealed a mix of false, misleading, and partially true claims from both candidates. As voters assess the credibility of these statements, fact-checking plays a crucial role in providing accurate information to the public.
