Fact-checking the presidential debate between Trump and Harris

During their first debate, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump clashed over foreign policy, abortion, and guns. Trump spread false claims about migration, crime, and voting, while Harris made misleading statements about manufacturing jobs and U.S. troops in combat zones. Trump incorrectly called Harris’ father a Marxist, overstated the value of military equipment left in Afghanistan, and falsely claimed Harris wanted to confiscate guns. Harris inaccurately stated that Trump lost manufacturing jobs and that no U.S. military members are in combat zones. Both candidates made inaccurate statements during the debate. Soldiers were injured in drone attacks in Syria and are also supporting local troops in Africa. Trump falsely claimed to have saved Obamacare, but actually tried to repeal it. He also falsely claimed judges rejected his election lawsuits due to lack of standing. Trump’s statement on migrant crime is misleading as crime rates have actually decreased. Noncitizens are not being encouraged to vote, and fossil fuel production is actually increasing under Biden. Trump’s claim of a “bloodbath” if he doesn’t win the election is false. It’s important to fact-check and verify information before believing it. During a debate, Trump and Harris clashed over various issues. Trump denied making comments about a “bloodbath” if he lost the election, while Harris referenced these remarks from a rally. Trump also criticized Biden’s handling of troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, but both Trump and Biden share responsibility for the chaotic exit. Trump accused Harris of supporting transgender operations for illegal aliens, which requires more context. Additionally, he claimed Democrats support executing babies after birth, referring to a statement made by a former governor of West Virginia. The truth behind these statements requires further examination. President Trump made false claims about Democrats supporting infanticide and immigrants in Ohio harming pets. These claims have been debunked – infanticide is illegal and only a small percentage of abortions occur after 21 weeks due to serious medical reasons. There is no evidence of immigrants harming pets. Trump also made misleading statements about job creation, inflation, and his association with Project 2025. Additionally, his claim of 21 million migrants coming into the US monthly is false, as are claims about the impact of his tax cuts on the deficit. These statements have been fact-checked and found to be inaccurate. Economists, even those from left-leaning organizations, are warning that high tariffs would ultimately lead to higher prices for consumers. They estimate that an average middle-class family could end up paying an extra $3,900 due to these tariffs. This would impact household budgets and could potentially strain finances for many families. It’s important to consider the potential consequences of such policies on everyday people when making decisions about trade and tariffs.