With the current widespread political division present amongst Americans, many citizens believe that the country cannot come together on any matter. In reference to the presidential debate that took place on Sep. 29, the New York Times explained, “Just about everyone offering commentary online agreed that the debate was an unmitigated disaster.” Despite this sole consensus, many eligible American voters want to be aware of the claims, actions and promises of both President Donald Trump and Vice President Joe Biden, as well as Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Kamala Harris. The presidential and vice-presidential debates are the ideal spaces to do this.
However, some of the claims and statements made by the two candidates may not be authentic, so many review articles fact-check the debates to help voters prepare themselves for the upcoming elections. Let’s look at the authenticity of the claims made by both President Trump and Vice President Biden at the first presidential debate.
Claim #1: President Trump stated, “There aren’t 100 million people with pre-existing conditions.”
According to Fact-Check Reporter Linda Qiu, this is false.
The Department of Health and Human Services posted a report in 2017 that claims that between 61 million and 133 million Americans under 65 years of age have pre-existing health conditions.
Claim #2: Vice President Biden stated, “We left him a booming economy and he caused the recession.”
Economics Reporter Jim Tankersley says this is false.
The economy was fine when President Barack Obama and Mr. Biden left the office in 2016 and economic growth was steady and healthy throughout the first three years of Mr. Trump’s presidency. While the coronavirus did force the United States into an economic recession, there is no evidence that it was his fault, as every wealthy nation in the world suffered economically.
Claim #3: President Trump said, “Excuse me, Portland, the sheriff [Mike Reese] just came out today and he said, ‘I support President Trump’.”
Qiu confirms this is false.
President Trump might have been referencing a comment made by a police officer who said that if Americans were more satisfied with the Trump administration, the current protests most likely wouldn’t be an issue. However, Sheriff Mike Reese tweeted that he has “never supported Donald Trump and will never support him.”
Claim #4: Vice President Biden said, “I was able to bring down the cost of renewable energy to cheaper than or cheap as coal and gas and oil.”
Energy and environmental policy Reporter Coral Davenport tells New York Times readers that this is “mostly true” or misleading.
Davenport writes that wind and solar energy sources are just as cheap, if not cheaper than nonrenewable energy sources in areas of the country that are rather windy and sunny. However, nonrenewable energy sources are currently cheaper than wind and solar energy sources in areas of the country that lack the facilities to maintain wind and solar energy.
Claim #5: President Trump said, “They’re sending millions of ballots all over the country. There’s fraud. They found them in creeks.”
According to Politics Reporter Stephanie Saul, this is “exaggerated.”
President Trump is talking about three trays of mail that were found in a Wisconsin ditch last week. This mail included multiple absentee ballots that are currently under investigation by the United States Postal Service. Kayleigh McEnany, White House press secretary, cited the ballots after the mail was found.
Claim #6: Vice President Biden said, “The fact is that I’ve gone head-to-head with Putin and made it clear to him, we’re not going to take any of his stuff. He’s Putin’s puppy.”
White House Correspondent Michael Crowley confirms that this is true.
In July 2020, Mr. Biden promised to “…impose substantial and lasting costs on those who interfere with American elections” and President Trump has not made any comments regarding election interference from President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.
Claim #7: President Trump said, “I’m OK with electric cars too. I’m all for electric cars. I have given big incentives for electric cars.”
Economics Reporter Alan Rappeport tells Americans that this is false.
In an effort to make a meaningful comment about reducing carbon emissions, President Trump made this claim. However, the Trump administration has attempted to end the tax credit that comes with the purchase of electric cars.
Claim #8: Vice President Biden said, “She thinks that the Affordable Care Act is not constitutional.”
Supreme Court Correspondent Adam Liptak confirms that this is “exaggerated.”
Mr. Biden made this comment in reference to Judge Amy Coney Barrett (President Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court). While Judge Barrett has not communicated passionate support for Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.’s status on the Affordable Care Act, she has not shared blatant belief that it is unconstitutional.
Claim #9: President Trump said, “Some of her biggest endorses are very liberal people.”
According to Liptak, this is “mostly true.”
President Trump made this comment in reference to Judge Amy Coney Barrett who, despite holding conservative beliefs, has received endorsement from Noah Feldman, a well-known liberal and Harvard Law professor.
The debate between President Trump and Vice President Biden that took place on Sep. 29 was an amalgamation of truths, lies, exaggerations and interruptions. The moderator, Chris Wallace of Fox News, said, “I never dreamt that it would go off the tracks the way it did.” Regardless, these fact-checked claims may help voters seek knowledge and confirm truths in order to make an informed decision in November.
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