**Fact-Checking the
Presidential Debate: 'Eating the Pets' and Project 2025**
In the recent presidential debate between
Donald Trump and
Kamala Harris held in Philadelphia, Trump made several false and misleading claims, including statements about immigrants "eating the pets" and his association with Project 2025.
This debate marked the first of the current election cycle, following a previous debate in June where
Joe Biden was still the Democratic nominee. During that earlier debate, moderators adopted a hands-off approach to fact-checking, allowing numerous inaccuracies, particularly from Trump, to go unchallenged.
In terms of economic performance, several key statistics were highlighted:
- The economy experienced a loss of 2.7 million jobs, with the unemployment rate rising by 1.7 percentage points to 6.4%.
- Despite this, average weekly earnings for all workers increased by 8.4% after adjusting for inflation, indicating that paychecks grew faster than inflation.
- Corporate profits after taxes rose, and the stock market reached new heights, with the S&P 500 index climbing by 67.8%.
- Contrary to Trump's promises, the international trade deficit increased, reaching its highest level since 2008, with a 36.3% rise from 2016.
- The number of uninsured individuals grew by 3 million during this period.
- The federal debt held by the public surged from $14.4 trillion to $21.6 trillion.
- On a more positive note, home prices rose by 27.5%, and the homeownership rate increased by 2.1 percentage points to 65.8%.
As the debate continues to unfold, fact-checking efforts will remain crucial in assessing the accuracy of candidates' statements.
Q: What false claim did Donald Trump make during the debate with Kamala Harris?
A: Trump made false and misleading claims about immigrants "eating the pets" and his connection to Project 2025.
Q: How did the moderators handle fact-checking during the first debate of this presidential election cycle?
A: The moderators took a completely hands-off approach to fact-checking, allowing lies and half-truths, particularly from Trump, to go unchallenged.
Q: What was the impact on jobs and unemployment during Trump's presidency according to the article?
A: The economy lost 2.7 million jobs, and the unemployment rate increased by 1.7 percentage points to 6.4%.
Q: How did average weekly earnings change during the same period?
A: Average weekly earnings for all workers grew faster than inflation, increasing by 8.4% after adjusting for inflation.
Q: What happened to the US trade deficit during Trump's presidency?
A: The international trade deficit, which Trump promised to reduce, actually increased, reaching the highest level since 2008 and rising by 36.3% from 2016.
Q: What was the change in the number of people lacking health insurance during Trump's presidency?
A: The number of people lacking health insurance rose by 3 million.
Q: How did the federal debt change during Trump's presidency?
A: The federal debt held by the public increased from $14.4 trillion to $21.6 trillion.
Q: What was the change in home prices and homeownership rate during this period?
A: Home prices rose by 27.5%, and the homeownership rate increased by 2.1 percentage points to 65.8%.