On September 10, 2024, the presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris was intense, with both candidates making bold claims. However, many of these statements were misleading or flat-out false. Here’s a look at some of the key points.
One standout moment was when Harris claimed that if Trump were reelected, he would sign a national abortion ban. This is a bit misleading. While Trump has been vocal about his stance on abortion, he has repeatedly said he wouldn’t sign a federal ban, leaving the decision to the states instead. This is important to clarify, especially at a time when abortion rights are a hot topic.
Then there was Trump’s claim that “they didn’t fire anybody having anything to do with Afghanistan.” This is true but needs some context. While no one has faced direct consequences for the chaotic withdrawal in 2021, many people, including families of service members, feel accountability hasn’t gone far enough.
In another moment, Trump mentioned unemployment rates, saying they were lower under his administration. However, this claim is misleading. While unemployment did drop during his time in office, the recovery from the pandemic caused significant spikes and drops that aren’t so easy to summarize.
Donald Trump has repeated an unfounded claim that Haitian illegal immigrants have been eating household pets in a small Ohio city. However, local officials told BBC Verify that there have been “no credible reports” to support this. The rumor initially spread on social media, gaining traction when Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance shared it on X, where the post accumulated over 11 million views. John Kirby, spokesperson for the US National Security Council, criticized Vance’s remarks as “dangerous” and a “racist-based conspiracy theory.” Many people in Springfield and across the country still feel the effects of that economic rollercoaster. Harris also touched on a strange incident involving Springfield, where reports surfaced about people eating dogs and cats due to food shortages. During ABC’s presidential debate, Trump said: “In Springfield, they are eating the dogs. The people that came in, they are eating the cats. They’re eating – they are eating the pets of the people that live there.” While it sounds shocking, it’s a real concern pointing to broader issues of food insecurity and economic distress in certain areas, including places like Springfield.
As the debate went on, Trump claimed that he “probably took a bullet to the head” because of the disturbing comments made about him. This claim raised eyebrows. The FBI has been investigating an assassination attempt on him, but there’s no solid evidence linking that to Harris or anyone else.
Lastly, Trump stated that he “ended the Nord Stream 2 pipeline” and blamed Biden for its revival. This is mostly false. While Trump put sanctions in place, the pipeline was mostly completed during his presidency, and Biden’s administration adjusted the sanctions due to various geopolitical factors.
Overall, this debate was packed with claims that need to be unpacked. Voters deserve the truth, and with so much at stake, it’s crucial to dig into what’s being said.
