The candidates disagreed on the facts regarding the coronavirus, jobs, taxes and more.
FactChecking the Vice Presidential Debate
Issues: coronavirus
Trump Campaign Aide’s Dubious Claim on Protecting the President
A senior adviser to President Trump’s campaign made the dubious claim that Trump was “probably the most protected person on Earth,” because his visitors “must submit to a COVID test” and “people don’t physically get close” to him.
Trump’s COVID-19 Misinformation Since Testing Positive
Even after contracting the coronavirus and being hospitalized, President Donald Trump has continued to downplay the risks of COVID-19 and exaggerate the progress the U.S. has made in fighting the pandemic.
Viral Article Distorts Military’s Role in Vaccine Distribution
The U.S. military may assist in the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available, but it will not forcibly administer vaccines, as a viral article shared on social media falsely suggests. Dr. Anthony Fauci, a member of the White House coronavirus task force, has said mandatory vaccination “would be unenforceable and not appropriate.”
Timeline of Contradictory Statements on Trump’s Health
Since President Trump announced on Oct. 2 that he had tested positive for COVID-19, White House staff and the president’s physicians have provided confusing and at times contradictory information about the president’s health.
Viral Posts Don’t Give Full Picture of Mask Mandates in States
Viral Facebook posts misleadingly claim that Florida, Georgia, Idaho, South Dakota and Tennessee have become “mask free.” None has a statewide mask mandate — but individual cities and counties in each of those states do have orders requiring face coverings to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Timeline of Trump’s COVID-19 Comments
A timeline of the president’s comments on COVID-19 and his administration’s handling of it.
Updated: Q&A on Trump’s COVID-19 Diagnosis
On Oct. 2, President Trump revealed that he and the first lady had tested positive for COVID-19. Here we answer common questions about the risks of the disease, treatments available and the shortcomings of testing.
Misinformation, Speculation Follow Trump COVID-19 Diagnosis
The news that President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump contracted the novel coronavirus led to a wave of social media posts spreading misinformation — and politically charged speculation.
Trump Campaign Didn’t Send Email Fundraising Off COVID-19 Diagnosis
An image spreading on social media purports to show a Trump campaign email asking supporters to “please DONATE to help him recover from” COVID-19. It is not from the campaign, and appears to have been created as a joke.