Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, 2024 presidential debate, fact-checking, Harris vs Trump debate, Trump debate claims, Harris debate claims, Trump economic policies, Trump border security, Harris Nobel laureates, Trump tariffs, U.S. inflation 2024, Harris Trump Afghanistan
A detailed fact-check of the first 2024 presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. This article covers key claims made during the debate, from the economy to border security, and provides fact-checked answers to help voters make informed decisions.
Harris’ Claim About Nobel Laureates on Trump’s Economic Impact
Vice President Harris referred to a letter signed by 16 Nobel laureates who expressed concerns about Donald Trump’s potential second term, especially regarding inflation. She stated that these economists predicted that Trump’s policies would harm the U.S. economy and reignite inflation.
Fact-Check: True, but Needs Context
While it is true that the laureates have expressed concerns about Trump’s policies, the letter did not specifically predict a recession by 2025. Instead, it outlined their belief that Trump’s second term could negatively impact the U.S. economy. They praised Harris’ agenda as “vastly superior” to Trump’s in handling inflation, but the language was more cautious than Harris suggested.
Harris’ Claim: Trump Wants a “20% Tax on Everyday Goods”
Harris asserted that Trump’s proposed universal tariff plan would function as a 20% sales tax on U.S. consumers, potentially costing families thousands of dollars more annually.
Fact-Check: True, but Needs Context
Trump has proposed a “10-20%” universal tariff on all imports, including cars, electronics, and food. He also proposed a 60% tariff on Chinese imports. Economists agree that these tariffs would result in higher prices for consumers, but the financial impact varies widely based on different studies. The $4,000 figure Harris mentioned is on the higher end of estimates.
Trump’s Claim: The Worst Inflation in U.S. History
Donald Trump claimed that under President Biden, inflation reached unprecedented levels, referring to it as “probably the worst in our nation’s history.”
Fact-Check: False
While inflation did peak at around 9% in mid-2022, it wasn’t the highest in U.S. history. Inflation rates were much higher during the post-World War II era and during the oil embargo in the late 1970s, when inflation hit 14.5%. By July 2024, inflation had dropped to 2.9%, one of the lowest rates in recent years.
Harris’ Claim: Trump Left Us with the Worst Unemployment Since the Great Depression
Harris mentioned that Trump left the U.S. with the highest unemployment rate since the Great Depression.
Fact-Check: Needs Context
It is true that unemployment hit 14.8% in April 2020 during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the highest rate since the Great Depression. However, by the time Trump left office in January 2021, the rate had dropped to 6.4%. It’s also worth noting that the highest unemployment rate during the Great Recession (2009) was 10%, higher than Trump’s final rate.
Trump’s Claim: Biden Left $85 Billion of Military Equipment in Afghanistan
Trump accused President Biden of leaving $85 billion worth of military equipment in Afghanistan during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal.
Fact-Check: False
This figure is misleading. The $85 billion refers to the total amount spent on Afghan security forces over two decades. The Defense Department estimates that around $7.12 billion worth of military equipment was left behind and seized by the Taliban, including aircraft, vehicles, and weapons.
Harris’ Claim: Trump Killed a Bill that Would Have Secured the Border
Harris claimed that Trump blocked a bipartisan bill aimed at improving U.S.-Mexico border security.
Fact-Check: True
Earlier in 2023, a $20 billion bipartisan bill was introduced to bolster border security, including adding border patrol agents and asylum officers, building new walls, and expanding detention facilities. Trump actively opposed the bill, calling it a “gift to Democrats” and urging Republicans to vote against it. The bill failed to pass the Senate.
Trump’s Claim: Haitian Migrants Eating Pets in Ohio
Trump made a controversial claim during the debate that Haitian migrants were stealing and eating pets in Ohio.
Fact-Check: False
This claim is entirely false. According to local authorities in Springfield, Ohio, there have been no credible reports of Haitian migrants harming or eating pets. The city even created a webpage debunking these rumors, and local police have confirmed no such incidents occurred.
Harris’ Claim: Trump Intends to Implement Project 2025
Harris accused Trump of planning to implement a dangerous right-wing policy blueprint, known as Project 2025, if re-elected.
Fact-Check: Needs Context
Project 2025 is a detailed policy document crafted by the Heritage Foundation, outlining plans for staffing government agencies, restructuring federal agencies, and handling national security. While many of Trump’s former advisers contributed to the project, Trump himself has publicly distanced himself from it, calling parts of it “extreme.” Still, several of its proposals align with Trump’s broader policy goals.
Trump’s Claim: He Ended the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline, Biden Reinstated It
Trump claimed credit for ending the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, suggesting Biden reinstated it once in office.
Fact-Check: Mostly False
While Trump did impose sanctions on Nord Stream 2 in 2019, much of the pipeline was built during his presidency. Biden initially waived sanctions but later reinstated them in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The pipeline was ultimately halted due to international pressure and sanctions, not a single administration’s actions.
Harris’ Claim: Trump’s Taliban Deal is to Blame for the Chaotic Afghanistan Withdrawal
Harris attributed the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan to Trump’s 2020 deal with the Taliban.
Fact-Check: Needs Context
Trump’s deal with the Taliban did set the stage for the U.S. withdrawal by May 2021, which involved releasing 5,000 Taliban fighters and committing to a full U.S. troop exit. However, Biden’s decision to stick with a firm withdrawal deadline contributed to the rapid collapse of the Afghan government. Both Trump’s deal and Biden’s execution of the withdrawal played roles in the resulting chaos.
Trump’s Claim: No One Was Held Accountable for the Afghanistan Withdrawal
Trump criticized the Biden administration, stating that no one responsible for the Afghanistan withdrawal has been held accountable.
Fact-Check: True, but Needs Context
While no U.S. officials were publicly fired for the withdrawal, investigations into the matter, including the 2021 suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members, concluded that the attack was not preventable. Trump is specifically referring to these findings, which did not hold any U.S. personnel responsible.
Conclusion: The Role of Fact-Checking in Presidential Debates
The Harris-Trump presidential debate of 2024 exemplified the need for rigorous fact-checking. Both candidates made numerous claims that required context or correction. While Harris highlighted Trump’s record on the economy, border security, and international relations, Trump focused on inflation, unemployment, and the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
In high-stakes debates like this, where the future direction of the nation is at stake, fact-checking ensures that voters can make informed decisions based on accurate information. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, voters are encouraged to critically evaluate the claims made by all candidates and seek out reliable sources of information.
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