Witnessing Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump meet in person for the first time during the recent debate was a historical moment. However, the event was filled with false and bizarre statements from the former president, overshadowing any potential camaraderie.
The lively debate, moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis on ABC, saw Trump making claims that were fact-checked by the moderators themselves. This led to Trump’s complaint on Fox News that he was in a “three-to-one” contest.
Touching on various topics like job numbers, inflation, abortion, and immigration, the debate was rife with personal attacks. Harris notably addressed Trump directly while he mostly maintained a stoic demeanor. The healthcare discussion saw Trump expressing intentions to improve the Affordable Care Act rather than dismantle it completely, a promise he has made since his 2015 campaign.
Abortion became a contentious issue, with Harris opposing state restrictions post-2022 as “Trump abortion bans.” Trump, on the other hand, emphasized his stance against signing a national abortion ban, trusting the states to decide on such matters.
The debate also touched on Project 2025, a conservative policy that Trump has distanced himself from, adding more flavor to the heated exchanges.
Soon after the debate, pop icon Taylor Swift declared her support for Harris on Instagram, highlighting her advocacy for causes that resonate with the singer.
For detailed fact-checking of specific health-related claims, read on:
Trump: “But the governor before, he said, ‘The baby will be born, and we will decide what to do with the baby.’”
Trump’s claims were fact-checked and found to be false, misinterpreting the intentions of former Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam regarding late-pregnancy cases.
Trump: “Every legal scholar, every Democrat, every Republican, liberal, conservative, they all wanted [abortion] to be brought back to the states where the people could vote.”
This claim by Trump was labeled as false, as numerous legal scholars supported upholding Roe v. Wade instead of reverting abortion decisions to state levels.
Trump: On the Affordable Care Act, “I saved it.”
This statement was debunked as false, as Trump’s administration actively worked against the Affordable Care Act’s effectiveness, leading to a decline in enrollment and an increase in uninsured Americans.
Trump: Harris “wants everybody to be on government insurance” for health care.
Trump’s claim about Harris wanting universal government insurance was labeled as misleading, as Harris has shifted focus towards bolstering the ACA rather than pushing for Medicare for All.
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