ABC Moderators Fact-Check Donald Trump Four Times in Debate, No Challenges for Kamala Harris

Philadelphia: In the first presidential debate of the 2024 US election, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump faced off, hosted by ABC News. The debate lasted 90 minutes and was held at Philadelphia's National Constitution Center. Throughout the debate, ABC News moderators fact-checked the candidates’ statements to clarify any exaggerations or false claims. During the debate, Trump was fact-checked four times, while no fact-checks were issued for Kamala Harris.

This approach sparked criticism from conservative viewers and the Trump campaign. Trump spokesperson Brian Hughes commented, "You had moderators live rebutting as if they’re on the team together."

ABC News had previously stated they would not commit to fact-checking everything. Rick Klein, the political director of ABC News, explained that their goal was to facilitate a meaningful debate without over-committing to fact-checks.

One of the fact-checks came when moderator Linsey Davis pushed back on Trump’s claim that some Democrats support executing babies after birth, clarifying, "There is no state in this country where it is legal to kill a baby after it’s born."

Another exchange occurred when moderator David Muir challenged Trump’s statement about Haitian migrants eating dogs in Springfield, Ohio, citing local officials who found no credible reports of pets being harmed. Trump defended his position, saying he saw people on television suggest otherwise.

Muir also corrected Trump’s claim about rising violent crime, citing the FBI, and questioned Trump’s comments about the 2020 election. Muir stated that multiple lawsuits had found no widespread fraud, but Trump maintained his stance.

Trump seemed to want to move away from the topic of the 2020 election, saying, "That’s old news," as he shifted focus to current issues.

Fact-checking Kamala Harris and Donald Trump

Harris Claim: Nobel Laureates Say Trump’s Plan Would Lead to Inflation and Recession

Fact-Check: Mostly True

• Harris quoted 16 Nobel laureates who warned Trump's policies could increase inflation.
• They expressed concerns about Trump’s impact on the economy but didn’t explicitly predict a recession by 2025.
• Their letter said Trump’s re-election would harm the U.S. economy and standing globally.

The Nobel laureates who signed the letter include George Akerlof, Joseph Stiglitz, and others.

Harris Claim: Trump Wants a 20% Tax on Everyday Goods, Costing Families $4,000 Annually

Fact-Check: True, But Needs Context

• Trump proposed a 10-20% tariff on U.S. imports, which would raise prices for consumers.
• Harris referred to it as “Trump’s sales tax,” though Trump hasn’t explicitly used that term.
• Economists say families may face annual cost increases between $1,700 to $4,000 due to the tariffs.

Trump has not proposed tax hikes on families but has suggested cutting taxes on Social Security benefits and tips.

Trump Claim: "We Have Inflation Like Never Before, Probably the Worst in History"

Fact-Check: False, But It Was Very High

• Inflation peaked at 9% in 2022 during Biden's presidency, but this was not the highest in U.S. history.
• Inflation was higher in periods like the late 1970s when it reached 14.5%.
• Inflation is currently at 2.9%, the lowest in three years.

When Biden took office, inflation was at 1.4%.

Harris Claim: Trump Left the Worst Unemployment Since the Great Depression

Fact-Check: Needs Context

• Unemployment hit 14.8% in April 2020 during Trump’s term due to the pandemic.
• By January 2021, it had fallen to 6.4%, lower than the 10% peak in 2009 during the Great Recession.
• Pre-pandemic, unemployment under Trump was slightly higher than Biden’s lowest rate (3.5% vs. 3.4%).

Harris Claim: Trump Blocked a Bill That Would Have Secured the Border

Fact-Check: True

• A bipartisan $20 billion bill to boost border security was proposed.
• The bill had broad support, including from the Border Patrol union.
• Trump urged Republicans to block it, stating the bill would benefit Democrats and harm his party.

Trump Claim: Haitian Migrants Eating Pets in Ohio

Fact-Check: False

• City officials in Springfield, Ohio, confirmed there were no reports of migrants harming pets.
• False rumors spread online, and a widely shared image was not even from Springfield.
• Authorities have also debunked claims of other illegal activities involving the migrant community.

Harris Claim: Trump 'Intends on Implementing' Project 2025

Fact-Check: Needs context

In April 2023, conservative allies of Trump published a 900-page policy plan called Project 2025. This was organized by the Heritage Foundation and detailed plans for government staffing and restructuring.

Harris claims Trump intends to implement this plan if reelected. However, Trump has denied any connection to the project, calling it "seriously extreme" and disavowing its content. Despite his disapproval, some of the proposals in the document align with Trump's past priorities, such as building a border wall and banning transgender athletes from women's sports.

Many of Trump's former officials were involved in the project. Trump praised the group in 2022, stating that they were laying out plans for his movement if he returned to power.

Harris Claim: Trump Will Sign a National Abortion Ban If Reelected

Fact-Check: False

While Trump has supported the Supreme Court's decision to overturn abortion rights, he has said he will not sign a federal abortion ban. He has promised to leave the decision to the states.

One issue that has come up is whether Trump would enforce the 1873 Comstock Act, which bans mailing abortion-related materials. Trump has said he will not enforce the law.

Trump Claim: 'They Didn't Fire Anybody Over Afghanistan'

Fact-Check: True, but needs context

No one involved in the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan has been held accountable for the chaotic events, including the bombing that killed 13 service members. Trump and others believe that investigations into the incident have not gone far enough.

Trump Claim: Harris Wants to Ban Fracking

Fact-Check: Needs context

Harris once supported banning fracking but changed her stance when she became Biden's running mate. In 2019, she voiced support for a fracking ban, but by 2020, she had revised her position, stating she would not support a ban.

Trump Claim: He Offered 10,000 National Guard Troops for January 6, But Pelosi Rejected It

Fact-Check: False

The Select Committee investigating the January 6 Capitol attack found no evidence that Trump ordered 10,000 National Guard troops for that day. Trump's Acting Secretary of Defense confirmed there was no such order.

Harris Claim: Trump Would Be Immune From Criminal Prosecution If Elected

Fact-Check: Partly true

Harris claimed that Trump would be immune from prosecution if reelected. While presidents have immunity for actions within their official duties, they are not immune from prosecution for unofficial acts. Trump is currently facing criminal cases that would not necessarily stop if he were reelected, but they could be delayed or dismissed if his administration chooses.

Trump Claim: He Ended the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline, and Biden Restored It

Fact-Check: Mostly false

Trump imposed sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in 2019, halting its construction. However, the majority of the project took place during Trump's presidency. Biden later lifted some sanctions at Germany's request but reimposed them after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Harris Claim: Trump’s Deal with the Taliban Led to the Chaotic Afghanistan Withdrawal

Fact-Check: Needs context

A report blamed Trump's 2020 deal with the Taliban for the rapid collapse of Afghan forces. However, Biden's decision to stick to the withdrawal timeline also played a role.

Trump Claim: Harris and Walz Support Abortion 'In the Seventh, Eighth, Ninth Month… And After Birth'

Fact-Check: False

No state allows the killing of a baby after birth, and infanticide is illegal across the U.S. Trump's claim stems from the fact that some states, including Minnesota, have no legal limit on when an abortion can be performed, but these are rare cases and typically done when the mother's life is at risk.

Trump Claim: Trump Lost 2020 Election on a 'Technicality'

Fact-Check: False

Trump lost the 2020 election because Biden received 306 electoral votes, while Trump got 232. After the election, Trump and his allies filed over 60 lawsuits challenging the results. Most were dismissed because the plaintiffs lacked "standing," a common legal reason for dismissal.

Trump Claim: Biden Left $85 Billion in Military Equipment in Afghanistan

Fact-Check: False

The $85 billion figure refers to the total U.S. security assistance to Afghanistan since 2001. When the U.S. withdrew, the Taliban seized approximately $7.12 billion worth of equipment, including aircraft, vehicles, and weapons.

Harris Claim: Trump Called for Execution of the Central Park Five

Fact-Check: True

Trump placed full-page ads in New York newspapers calling for the death penalty for the Central Park Five, who were accused of a crime in 1989. The ad stated they should be "forced to suffer and, when they kill, they should be executed for their crimes."

Harris Claim: Trump Exchanged Love Letters with Kim Jong Un

Fact-Check: False

Trump and Kim Jong Un exchanged letters after their summit in June 2018. Trump tweeted about receiving a "nice letter" and mentioned Kim wrote "beautiful letters," but these letters were not romantic.

Harris Claim: Biden-Harris Made Historic Investments in Clean Energy

Fact-Check: Needs context

The U.S. has made significant investments in clean energy, over $559 billion as of August 2023. This includes funding for low-carbon electricity and transportation. However, the U.S. is also producing record amounts of crude oil.

Trump Claim: Suggests He 'Probably Took a Bullet' Because of Harris

Fact-Check: False

Trump suggested that a recent assassination attempt might be linked to Harris. The FBI has not identified a motive or any specific connections related to the attack.

Trump Claim: Ashley Babbitt Shot by an 'Out-of-Control' Officer

Fact-Check: Misleading

The Capitol Police cleared the officer who shot Ashley Babbitt during the January 6 riot, finding the shooting lawful. Babbitt was attempting to enter a restricted area when she was shot.

Harris Claim: No U.S. Military in Combat Zones

Fact-Check: False

U.S. troops are still in combat zones, such as Iraq and Syria, where they have faced attacks. Harris's statement seems to use a narrow definition of "combat zone."

Trump Claim: Iran Was Broke Under Trump, Now Has $300 Billion

Fact-Check: Mostly false, needs context

While Iran was under significant sanctions during Trump's presidency, it has gained revenue through oil exports. Current estimates suggest Iran has accumulated around $100 billion, not $300 billion, during Biden's term.

Harris Claim: Trump Said Climate Change Is a Hoax

Fact-Check: True

Trump has repeatedly referred to climate change as a "hoax" in various statements and tweets, describing it as a "money-making industry" and expressing skepticism about its validity.