In their first debate of the 2024 election, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump exchanged a series of false and misleading statements. Trump falsely portrayed the Jan. 6 Capitol attack and overstated the economy under his administration, while Biden misrepresented insulin costs and exaggerated Trump’s comments about disinfectant and COVID-19. Here’s a breakdown of the false and misleading claims made during the debate.
JAN. 6
TRUMP: “They talk about a relatively small number of people that went to the Capitol and in many cases were ushered in by the police.”
FACT CHECK: This is false. The Capitol attack was the deadliest in over 200 years, with thousands of people engaging in violent clashes with police. U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger dismissed the allegation that officers acted as “tour guides” as “outrageous and false.” Over 1,400 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the riot.
TRUMP: “Because I offered [Pelosi] 10,000 soldiers or National Guard and she turned them down.”
FACT CHECK: Pelosi did not have the authority to direct the National Guard. The Capitol Police Board, not Pelosi or then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, decides on National Guard deployment at the Capitol. The board did not request assistance before the riot but did so after it began.
RUSSIA
TRUMP: “[Biden] should have had [Evan Gershkovich] out a long time ago, but Putin’s probably asking for billions and billions of dollars because this guy pays it every time.”
FACT CHECK: This is false. There is no evidence that Putin is seeking money for Gershkovich’s release or that Biden pays fees for the release of hostages and detainees.
INSULIN
BIDEN: “It’s $15 for an insulin shot, as opposed to $400.”
FACT CHECK: This is not entirely accurate. The Inflation Reduction Act capped out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 for older Americans on Medicare. However, Biden overstates the previous costs, as people with diabetes on Medicare or private insurance paid about $450 yearly before the law.
CLIMATE CHANGE
TRUMP: “During my four years, I had the best environmental numbers ever.”
FACT CHECK: This is misleading. Trump rolled back environmental regulations, eased rules for coal, oil, and gas companies, and withdrew the U.S. from the Paris climate accord.
TAXES AND REGULATIONS
TRUMP: “[Biden] wants to raise your taxes by four times.”
FACT CHECK: This is inaccurate. Biden’s tax plan focuses on corporations and the wealthy, aiming to prevent tax increases for those making less than $400,000.
TRUMP: “On January 6th, we had the lowest taxes ever. We had the lowest regulations ever.”
FACT CHECK: This is misleading. Federal income tax rates have been lower in the past, and government regulations have ebbed and flowed throughout history, with an overall increase as the country modernized.
ABORTION
TRUMP: “[Democrats] will take the life of a child in the eighth month, the ninth month, and even after birth.”
FACT CHECK: This is inaccurate. Infanticide is illegal in every state, and abortions later in pregnancy are rare and usually due to serious complications.
COVID-19
BIDEN: Trump told Americans to “inject bleach” into their arms to treat COVID-19.
FACT CHECK: This is an overstatement. Trump asked if it would be possible to inject disinfectant into the lungs, not the arms.
