Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders says that “the 20 richest people in our country own more wealth than the bottom half of the American population — 150 million people.” We explain that statistic.
Sanders’ Wealth Inequality Stat
Sorting Out Obama’s Gun Proposal
Politicians have offered confusing and conflicting information on guns in the wake of the San Bernardino shootings and President Obama’s announced plans for tighter gun controls.
Clinton’s Misleading Ad on Drug Prices
A Hillary Clinton TV ad claims that “in the last seven years drug prices have doubled.” A report, provided by her campaign, says brand-name drug prices on average have more than doubled. But more than 80 percent of filled prescriptions are generic drugs.
Christie PAC Wrong About Gitmo
A TV ad from a pro-Chris Christie super PAC shows the New Jersey governor saying, “30 percent of the people the president has released from Guantanamo have gone back in the terrorism business.” That’s way off.
Bush Not Named ‘Statesman’ by NRA
Jeb Bush has said repeatedly that the National Rifle Association named him a “statesman of the year,” and that Charlton Heston gave him an award, or a rifle, about 10 years ago. His campaign now says he was mistaken on both counts.
Kasich’s Misleading Attack on Christie
Ohio Gov. John Kasich took a swipe at New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s governance, saying “we have a balanced budget” but “they don’t over in New Jersey.” The state constitution requires New Jersey to have a balanced budget, and it does.
Clinton’s Shaky Cost-Shifting Claim
Hillary Clinton claimed that private insurance premiums have “gone up so much” in some states that didn’t expand Medicaid because hospitals shifted their costs for providing emergency care for the uninsured. But we have found no data to support that claim, and the idea that such cost shifting occurs is debated.
Help Us Hold Politicians Accountable
Yes, it is time for our end-of-the-year appeal for donations.
False Debate Claims Put in Ads
Two claims from the fifth Republican debate that we flagged as misleading are now being used in new TV ads.
Video: Whoppers of the Year
This week, CNN’s Jake Tapper picks a whopper of the year from the top Democratic and Republican candidates for president to discuss in his weekly fact-checking video.