In a highly anticipated vice presidential debate on September 10, 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump faced a heated exchange that has since drawn scrutiny for its lack of fact-checking.
According to Breitbart News, Harris made numerous statements during the debate that have been labeled as false or misleading, while ABC moderators Linsey Davis and David Muir failed to challenge these claims in real time.
The debate, which was broadcast on ABC, covered a wide range of topics, including foreign policy, economic issues, and past statements attributed to Trump.
However, the aftermath has been dominated by discussions about the accuracy of Harris's statements and the role of debate moderators in ensuring factual integrity.
One of the most contentious moments of the debate came when Harris accused Trump of involvement with Project 2025, a claim that Trump immediately refuted on stage. Trump stated:
I have nothing to do — as you know, and as she knows, better than anyone — I have nothing to do with Project 2025. I haven't read it, I don't want to read it, purposely. I'm not going to read it.
Harris also made claims about Trump's alleged statements regarding the Constitution, which Trump had previously addressed in a 2022 social media post:
The Fake News is actually trying to convince the American People that I said I wanted to 'terminate' the Constitution. This is simply more DISINFORMATION & LIES, just like RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA, and all of their HOAXES & SCAMS.
The debate also touched on economic policies and personal backgrounds. Harris claimed to have been raised middle-class, stating:
I was raised as a middle-class kid, and I am actually the only person on this stage who has a plan that is about lifting up the middle class and working people of America.
However, this claim has been disputed, with reports suggesting Harris had a more affluent upbringing in Canada.
Economic policies were another point of contention, with Harris making claims about unemployment figures and oil production that have been challenged by fact-checkers. The Vice President's statements about the Trump administration's trade deficit and the current administration's energy policies have also been called into question.
Foreign policy was a significant topic during the debate, with Harris making several claims about Trump's alleged statements regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin and the situation in Ukraine.
These claims have been disputed, with critics pointing out that Russian aggression has occurred during administrations other than Trump's.
Harris also made assertions about the current deployment of U.S. troops in combat zones, claiming there are no active-duty troops in such areas. This statement has been contradicted by reports of U.S. military presence in Iraq and Syria and naval deployments in the Middle East.
The vice presidential debate has sparked discussions about the importance of fact-checking during live political events. Harris made 21 statements during the debate that have been labeled as false or misleading by fact-checkers. These claims covered a range of topics, including Trump's past statements, economic policies, foreign relations, and personal histories. The ABC moderators' failure to challenge these claims in real time has led to criticism of their role in ensuring the accuracy of information presented to viewers.
