In the first debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris on Sept. 10, 2024, fact-checkers found several inaccuracies in the candidates’ statements. With extremely timely topics ranging from abortion to immigration and the economy, both candidates made claims that need clarification.
Abortion: Trump’s Claim on “Post-Birth” Abortions
Abortion was a significant point of contention during the 2024 debate. Trump reiterated his claim that Harris supports abortions after birth, stating, “they will take the life of a child in the eighth month, the ninth month, and even after birth.” This claim is false. It has been fact-checked numerous times; No state allows infanticide, and any such act is criminalized nationwide.
Harris, responding to Trump’s accusation, called it “insulting” and clarified that no such procedures take place or exist. She then emphasized her intention to reinstate the protections previously provided under Roe v. Wade, while addressing the challenges many women face in accessing abortion care due to new state-level restrictions.
Immigration: Discrepancies in Border Statistics
Trump also made claims about the influx of migrants, suggesting “millions and millions of people” are entering the U.S. each month, with the number allegedly surpassing 21 million. This number significantly overstated the actual data. U.S. Customs and Border Protection recorded approximately 8 million encounters at the southern border since 2021, but the monthly figures never reached millions. On top of that, not all migrants processed at the border were allowed to remain in the U.S., with many being deported.
Harris countered Trump’s claims by focusing on immigration reform, stressing the need for a balanced approach that addresses both security and humanitarian aspects.
The Economy: Competing Narratives
The state of the economy was another topic that generated contrasting claims from the candidates. Trump described the state of the economy during his presidency as the “best in history” and criticized Harris for supporting policies he argued would hurt middle-class families. He referenced a potential tariff plan, which Harris claimed would result in an effective tax increase of $4,000 for middle-income families. While some economists have projected that tariffs on imports could increase costs for consumers, estimates of the actual financial impact vary. Some analyses suggest a cost increase closer to $1,800 rather than the $4,000 figure Harris cited.
Meanwhile, Harris highlighted the 739,000 manufacturing jobs created since Biden took office. However, recent data revisions indicated that the number of new jobs might be lower than initially estimated. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics noted the final tally could be closer to 624,000.
Project 2025: Trump’s Denial of Involvement
During the debate, Trump separated himself from Project 2025: a detailed blueprint for conservative governance drafted by the Heritage Foundation. He said, “I have nothing to do with Project 2025,” yet – the initiative includes many policies aligned with his previous administration and his current campaign promises. While Trump says he does not have anything to do with the plan, many of his former officials have played a role in shaping its proposals. A CNN review found that at least 140 people who worked for him are involved in the initiative. Six of Trump’s former Cabinet secretaries, several former ambassadors, and individuals involved in his immigration policies all contributed to the project.
AI-Generated Misinformation: The Taylor Swift Controversy
In the days leading up to the debate, Donald Trump shared images on social media that appeared to show Taylor Swift endorsing him for president. One of the most widely shared images depicted Swift dressed as Uncle Sam, with a caption reading “Taylor wants YOU to VOTE for DONALD TRUMP” (AP News).
The images were quickly debunked, as they were generated using artificial intelligence. In the past, Swift has been an outspoken critic of Trump and supported Joe Biden in 2020. These fake images represent a growing concern about the use of AI in political campaigns, as they can mislead voters by distorting public figures’ positions.
Swift addressed the misinformation directly, saying it prompted her to publicly declare her support for Kamala Harris, in an effort to clear up any confusion about her political stance. She wrote on social media: “Trump’s posts brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter” (CNN).
Image from Instagram
This incident highlights the growing role of AI-generated content in spreading misinformation. AI tools, including deepfakes and altered images, are being used more and more in political disinformation campaigns, making it harder for voters to distinguish fact from fiction. Even widely recognized public figures are vulnerable to being misrepresented in these ways, with significant implications for public opinion.
Misinformation About Migrants and Pets: The “Eating Dogs” Claim
Another misleading claim emerged when Trump echoed his running mate J.D. Vance’s statement that migrants in Ohio were “eating the dogs.” Trump asserted, “In Springfield, [migrants are] eating the dogs. The people that came in, they’re eating the cats. They’re eating… they’re eating the pets of the people that live there.” This accusation was part of a broader anti-immigrant rhetoric during the debate.
Former President Trump claims immigrants are ‘eating dogs’ in Ohio
However, officials in Springfield, Ohio, debunked this claim. The city’s manager stated there was no evidence to support the idea that Haitian immigrants were involved in such acts. While there was an incident in Canton, Ohio, involving a person who was arrested for killing and eating a cat, this individual was not a Haitian immigrant. Trump’s exaggeration spread the false narrative that immigrants were involved in such behavior, which added to a broader stream of misinformation targeting migrants.
Post-Debate Misinformation: Harris Accused of Using Audio Transmitter
Following the debate, misinformation about Harris intensified. Social media platforms were flooded with claims that Kamala Harris was wearing an audio transmitter disguised as an earring during the debate. The speculation began when a user on X (formerly Twitter) posted a zoomed-in image of Harris wearing pearl earrings, claiming they were “Nova H1” audio earrings designed to act as discreet wireless earphones. This led to accusations that Harris had external help during the debate.
These claims were quickly dismissed, with supporters pointing out that Harris’s earrings were from a well-known luxury brand and not the high-tech devices alleged by conspiracy theorists. Despite the lack of evidence, the narrative spread, which goes to show how post-debate misinformation can shape public perception in the days following high-profile political events.
Misinformation and Its Impact on Public Discourse
Both candidates sought to sway voters by appealing to their respective bases, but the debate highlighted how misinformation, whether intentional or not, plays a key role in shaping public perception. As voters continue to assess the candidates’ platforms, fact-checking and critical evaluation of claims remain crucial to navigating the sea of information presented in debates and throughout the election cycle.
References
AP News. (2024, September 10). A look at false claims and misinformation by Trump and Harris before their first debate. https://apnews.com/article/fact-focus-a-look-at-false-claims-and-misinformation-by-trump-and-harris-before-their-first-debate
AP News. (2024, June 28). Here’s a look at some of the false claims made during Biden and Trump’s first debate. https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-misinformation-election-debate-trump-biden-577507522762aa10f6ee5be3a0ced2bb
AP News. (2024, September 11). Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris for president after debate ends. https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-endorse-kamala-harris-president-3a36b6f9695c20153891bba35c47f21d
PBS NewsHour. (2024, September 10). WATCH: Trump misinformation about abortion ‘insulting’ to American women, Harris says. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-trump-misinformation-about-abortion-insulting-to-american-women-harris-says
CBS News. (2024, September 11). Fact checking debate claims from Trump and Harris’ 2024 presidential faceoff. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-harris-abc-debate-fact-check/
CNN. (2024, July 11). Trump allies deeply involved in Project 2025. https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/11/politics/trump-allies-project-2025/index.html
Free Press Journal. (2024, September 11). Did Kamala Harris cheat during presidential debate with Trump? Netizens suspect VP wearing an audio transmitter disguised as earring. https://www.freepressjournal.in/lifestyle/did-kamala-harris-cheat-during-presidential-debate-with-trump-netizens-suspect-vp-wearing-an-audio-transmitter-disguised-as-earring-check-visuals
USA TODAY. (2024, September 10). Presidential debate fact check: Analyzing Trump, Harris on abortion, immigration, more. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/09/10/presidential-debate-fact-check-2024/75089233007/
