In the first debate clash of the 2024 campaign, the two candidates unleashed a flurry of false and misleading statements.
FactChecking the Biden-Trump Debate
Issues: Taxes
FactChecking Biden on Inflation, Other Claims
When President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, the U.S. annual rate of inflation was 1.4% — far from the 9% inflation Biden falsely said in a May 8 interview that he inherited. Inflation rose quickly in Biden’s first year, but it didn’t hit 9% until 17 months into his presidency.
FactChecking Biden’s Swing-State Stops in Pennsylvania
While former President Donald Trump spent much of his week in court, President Joe Biden visited the swing state of Pennsylvania for three days and gave speeches in Scranton, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. We flagged some false and misleading claims, including several common talking points.
Trump’s Unfounded ‘Colossal’ Tax Hike Warning
On the day of the tax filing deadline, former President Donald Trump went on Truth Social to misleadingly warn that if President Joe Biden is reelected, “you will soon be facing colossal tax HIKES.” But in his latest budget proposal, Biden supports extending the tax cuts championed by Trump for people making less than $400,000.
Familiar Claims in a Familiar Presidential Race
As a primer for the 2024 election, here’s our guide to the top 10 falsehoods and distortions — so far — in terms of Trump’s and Biden’s propensity to repeat them.
Trump, Haley Trade False and Misleading Attacks
The last two major candidates for the Republican presidential nomination have misfired in launching attacks on each other recently.
FactChecking Trump’s New Hampshire Victory Speech
Following his projected win in New Hampshire’s GOP primary on Jan. 23, former President Donald Trump gave a speech that included distorted claims about the state’s primary rules, his election record in New Hampshire, his Republican opponent’s general election prospects and Democrats’ tax plans.
FactChecking the Haley-DeSantis GOP Debate
The two presidential contenders had the stage to themselves just days before the Iowa caucuses.
FactChecking Biden’s Reelection Remarks
President Joe Biden announced on April 25 that he would run for reelection in the 2024 campaign. In his video announcement and a speech later that day to a union group, Biden repeated several claims we’ve fact-checked before.
Posts Mislead on Legal Basis for Paying Federal Income Taxes
The U.S. Constitution established Congress’ right to impose federal income taxes, and the Internal Revenue Service administers the laws that require payment of taxes. Yet social media posts falsely claim there is no law that requires U.S. residents to pay taxes.