In a highly anticipated event, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump faced off for the first time in the 2024 presidential race. The 90-minute debate, hosted by ABC News, took place at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, where both candidates made their cases for the White House.
As the Democratic and Republican nominees debated pressing national issues, ABC provided live fact-checking to verify the accuracy of their statements, flagging those that were exaggerated, needed more context, or were outright false.
Inflation and economic predictions
Harris’s claim: Nobel laureates on Trump’s economic plan
Vice President Harris stated, “16 Nobel laureates say Trump’s plan would increase inflation and land us in a recession.” ABC News determined this claim to be mostly true. Harris accurately cited the Nobel laureates’ concerns about potential inflation under Trump’s policies. However, their letter did not specifically predict a recession by 2025, although it did caution against negative impacts on the U.S. economy.
The 16 economists are George Akerlof, Angus Deaton, Claudia Goldin, Oliver Hart, Eric S. Maskin, Daniel L. McFadden, Paul R. Milgrom, Roger B. Myerson, Edmund S. Phelps, Paul M. Romer, Alvin E. Roth, William F. Sharp, Robert J. Shiller, Christopher A. Sims, Joseph Stiglitz and Robert B. Wilson.
Tax on everyday goods
Harris’s claim: Trump wants a “20% tax on everyday goods
Harris claimed that Trump’s proposed “20% tax on everyday goods” would cost families “about $4,000 more a year.” The fact-check revealed this to be true but noted that it needed context. Trump’s proposed tariffs on U.S. imports could significantly raise consumer prices, though the exact financial impact on families varies widely among studies.
Inflation rates under Biden and Trump
Trump’s claim: Record inflation
Trump stated, “We have inflation like very few people have ever seen before. Probably the worst in our nation’s history.” This was fact-checked as false. While inflation did peak at 9% early in Biden’s presidency, historical records show higher rates post-WWII and during the late 1970s oil embargo.
Unemployment statistics
Harris’s Claim: Trump left us the worst unemployment since the Great Depression
Harris claimed that Trump left the U.S. with “the worst unemployment since the Great Depression.” This statement was deemed to need context. While unemployment peaked at 14.8% in April 2020, it had dropped to 6.4% by January 2021, still better than the 10% peak during the Great Recession.
Border security legislation
Harris’s Claim: Trump opposed border security bill
Harris accurately stated that Trump “killed” a bipartisan bill aimed at bolstering U.S.-Mexico border security. Despite support from the Border Patrol union, Trump urged his party to oppose the bill, which ultimately failed in a Senate procedural vote.
False claims about migrants
Trump’s claim: Haitian migrants eating pets in Ohio
Trump’s assertion that Haitian migrants were eating pets in Ohio was fact-checked as false. Springfield city officials confirmed that no credible reports or specific claims had been made about pets being harmed by the immigrant community.
Project 2025
Harris’s Claim: Trump ‘intends on implementing’ Project 2025
Harris claimed Trump “intends on implementing” Project 2025, a policy proposal by conservative allies. Trump, however, publicly denied any association with the plan, calling some of its ideas “ridiculous and abysmal.”
National abortion ban
Harris’s Claim: If Donald Trump were to be reelected, he will sign a national abortion ban
Harris’s claim that Trump would sign a national abortion ban was fact-checked as false. Trump has promised to leave the issue up to the states, although he has no regrets over appointing justices who overturned Roe v. Wade.
Afghanistan withdrawal
Trump’s Claim: Accountability for Afghanistan withdrawal
Trump’s claim that no one was fired over the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal was found to be true but needing context. U.S. Central Command concluded that the bombing during the withdrawal was unavoidable, although some believe the investigations haven’t gone far enough.
Fracking ban
Trump’s Claim: Kamala Harris wants to ban fracking
Trump’s claim that Harris wants to ban fracking needs context. Harris initially supported a fracking ban but later changed her stance, aligning with Biden’s position against an outright ban.
Letters with Kim Jong Un
Harris’s Claim: Trump exchanged love letters with Kim Jong Un
Harris’s claim that Trump exchanged “love letters” with Kim Jong Un was fact-checked as false. While Trump did exchange letters and spoke favorably of Kim, the term “love letters” was used metaphorically.
Investments in Clean Energy
Harris’s Claim: Biden-Harris made historic investments in clean energy
Harris’s claim of historic investments in clean energy was found to need context. While the U.S. has made significant investments under the Biden-Harris administration, it remains the world’s largest crude oil producer.
Assassination attempt motive
Trump’s Claim: Trump suggested he ‘probably took a bullet to the head’ because of Harris.
Trump suggested he “probably took a bullet to the head” because of Harris. The FBI has not identified a motive for the attempt and continues to investigate the incident.
Conclusion
The first presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump was a contentious event filled with numerous claims and counterclaims.