Fact Check: Key statements from the Trump-Harris debate
4 Min Read
During the heated debate, the candidates called each other out and made many false statements, some of which were debunked by NBC's fact-checkers.
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This combination of photos shows Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, left, and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris during an ABC News presidential debate at the National Constitution Center, September 10, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP)
Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris debated intensely in their first presidential debate of the 2024 race, criticizing each other’s policies and proposals. The debate, held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, was marked by numerous false statements.
Fact check: Trump calls Harris' dad a Marxist
During the debate, former President Donald Trump called out Vice President Kamala Harris, saying "Her father's a Marxist professor in economics, and he taught her well."
However, according to NBC's fact checker, three former students of Professor Donald Harris, who are now economists, told NBC News that they disagree with the assertion that Harris’ father is a Marxist.
Harris, who taught at Stanford University for almost 30 years before retiring in 1998, explored Karl Marx’s economic theories along with other philosophical perspectives during his career, according to his students.
Former US President and current presidential candidate #DonaldTrump insists on labeling Vice President #KamalaHarris as a Marxist.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) September 11, 2024
During the first presidential debate since Joe #Biden dropped from the presidential race, Trump continued to call Kamala Harris a Marxist as he… pic.twitter.com/zl4HZOOrVU
Fact check: Harris wants to do transgender operations on illegal aliens in prison
Trump claimed that Harris "wants to do transgender operations on illegal aliens that are in prison.”
Based on the NBC fact checker, in 2019, Harris supported access to gender transition treatment for federal prisoners and detainees, according to a response to an ACLU questionnaire. However, the Harris campaign has not clarified if this continues to be her stance.
Fact check: US Left $85 Billion in Military Equipment in Afghanistan
According to Trump, "We wouldn’t have left $85 billion worth of brand-new, beautiful military equipment behind.” However, NBC's fact checker argued that the "$85 billion figure includes overall assistance to Afghan forces over two decades, not just equipment left behind. The Taliban did capture some US equipment, but most major equipment was removed or destroyed before the withdrawal."
The actual cost of the equipment left behind is closer to $7 billion according to the Pentagon.
Fact check: No US troops in combat zones
VP Harris claimed, “As of today, there is not one member of the United States military who is in active duty in a combat zone.” However, NBC refuted her claim saying that US troops are active in combat zones in Iraq, Syria, and Africa.
Fact check: Harris wants to confiscate guns
Trump accused Harris, saying “She wants to confiscate your guns.” However, his statement was refuted by NBC, highlighting that Harris has proposed stricter gun safety laws but has not advocated for confiscating all guns.
Fact check: Trump saved Obamacare
Regarding Obamacare, Trump claimed, “Do I save it and make it as good as it can be, or do I let it rot, and I saved it.”
NBC argued that Trump's statement is false and that Trump’s administration sought to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and while some parts of the ACA were altered, the individual mandate was repealed, and the ACA was not "saved" as claimed.
Fact check: Election cases failed due to lack of standing
According to Trump, “No judge looked at it. They said we didn’t have standing.” However, his statement was refuted with evidence that lawsuits challenging the 2020 election results were dismissed primarily due to lack of evidence of fraud, not due to standing. The Supreme Court and lower courts found no merit in the claims.
Fact check: 21 million migrants entering the US monthly
In another statement, the former President commented on the number of undocumented migrants entering the country saying they were, “Millions of people... 21 million people, not the 15 that people say.” However, NBC falsified his statement arguing that Customs and Border Protection data shows around 10 million encounters during the Biden administration, far below Trump’s estimate.
During the #PresidentialDebate, Former President Donald #Trump falsely claimed that immigrants are eating dogs, cats, and pets of Americans in #Springfield. pic.twitter.com/4nIBdM7VKz
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) September 11, 2024
