Our annual roundup of the worst falsehoods of the year.
Whoppers of 2024
Issues: violent crime
FactChecking Trump’s ‘Meet the Press’ Interview
In his first post-election, sit-down broadcast interview, President-elect Donald Trump outlined his priorities for a second term. But in the interview, Trump continued to repeat inaccurate information related to immigration, crime, trade, health care and the election.
Trump’s ‘Like It or Not’ Comment and Harris’ Response
Vice President Kamala Harris wrongly claimed that former President Donald Trump was talking about “reproductive freedom” when he said that he will “protect” women “whether the women like it or not.” Trump was talking about illegal immigration — but, in doing so, he made his own unsupported claims about criminals from prisons and “insane asylums” being “imported” into the country.
Donald Trump’s Closing Arguments
In his third campaign for the nation’s top office, former President Donald Trump’s closing messages have run the gamut, touching on the economy, immigration, the military, crime, taxes and more. In lengthy speeches, he rattles off a stream of claims. We reviewed Trump’s remarks from Oct. 18 through Oct. 22.
Crime Stats Still Show a Decline Since 2020
Crime statistics compiled by the FBI and other sources show an increase in violent crime, notably murders, in 2020 and a decline since. A revision to the FBI data this year doesn’t change that overall trend, despite claims made on social media and by the Trump campaign to the contrary.
Third Night of the Democratic Convention
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz accepted his party’s vice presidential nomination, and repeated claims he has made before about the Republican ticket. Other speakers tried to link former President Donald Trump to Project 2025, among other claims.
Trump’s False and Misleading Claims about Harris’ Record on Crime
In a campaign rally in Atlanta and other venues, former President Donald Trump has tried to paint Vice President Kamala Harris, a former California attorney general and San Francisco district attorney, as being soft on crime. Several of his claims go beyond the facts or distort her positions.
FactChecking the First Harris/Walz Rally
Vice President Kamala Harris, now the Democratic nominee for president, introduced her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, for the first time at a rally in Philadelphia on Aug. 6. We found some misleading claims and assertions that required context in their remarks.
Trump’s Bogus Attack on FBI Crime Statistics
Former President Donald Trump said FBI data that show homicides and other violent crimes trending down are “fake numbers.” They’re not.
FactChecking Haley’s CNN Town Hall
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley — a former governor of South Carolina and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations during former President Donald Trump’s administration — made a few false and misleading statements in a June 4 town hall on CNN.