Former President Donald Trump delivered a lengthy speech on the final night of the 2024 Republican National Convention, covering a range of topics including the economy, immigration, and events in the Middle East. However, upon analysis by fact-checking teams from ABC News, 538, and Politifact, several claims made by Trump were found to be false or lacking context.
On the topic of immigration, Trump claimed that there was a “massive invasion at our southern border” that had led to an increase in crime. However, the fact-checkers found no evidence to support this claim. In fact, crime rates had actually decreased across the country during the period in question. Additionally, a study from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showed that U.S.-born citizens were more likely to commit crimes than undocumented immigrants.
Trump also claimed that he had built more than 500 miles of border wall during his presidency. However, the Government Accountability Office’s report revealed that only around 450 miles of barriers had been implemented, most of which were upgrades to existing barriers. Only about 50 miles were new walls constructed where no barriers previously existed.
Regarding undocumented immigration and crime, Trump argued that dangerous criminals were entering the country at unprecedented levels. While it is true that a significant number of administrative arrests conducted by ICE had criminal convictions or pending charges, it is important to note that these arrests primarily targeted individuals who already had some sort of charge or conviction.
Trump also claimed to have ended the practice of “catch and release” at the border. However, the Cato Institute found that under Biden’s administration, migrants were actually more likely to be released through this process compared to Trump’s administration. The increase in releases under Biden can be attributed to higher arrival numbers rather than any change in policy.
Moving on to the economy, Trump repeatedly claimed that his tax legislation was the largest tax cut ever. However, this claim was found to be false. While the tax cut was significant, it ranked fourth in terms of inflation-adjusted dollars since 1940. Additionally, the increase in tax receipts following the tax cut can be attributed to population and economic growth rather than the legislation itself.
Trump also asserted that the U.S. had the best economy in history during his presidency, with no inflation and soaring incomes. However, fact-checkers found that while Trump’s presidency saw low unemployment rates and wage growth, the economy under Biden matched or exceeded those levels. GDP growth under Trump was also lower than that of previous presidents. Furthermore, inflation did exist during Trump’s presidency, albeit at relatively low levels.
In terms of the auto industry, Trump claimed that he would save it from “complete obliteration” by reversing government regulations on electric vehicles. However, employment in the auto and parts manufacturing sector had actually increased during Biden’s presidency.
Regarding the Middle East, Trump claimed credit for defeating ISIS and having a great economy. While it is true that ISIS lost significant territory during Trump’s presidency, this success was built upon strategies and attacks launched under President Obama. Additionally, it is incorrect to say that ISIS was completely defeated, as the group continues to operate and expand its presence through affiliates in various regions.
Finally, Trump claimed that the U.S. left behind $85 billion worth of military equipment in Afghanistan. However, a full accounting of the equipment left behind has not been conducted, and defense experts estimate that the value of the remaining military equipment is less than $10 billion.
In terms of polling, Trump claimed to be leading in Nevada by 14 points. However, according to polling averages, his lead over Biden in Nevada was actually around 6 points.
Turning to President Joe Biden’s record, Trump falsely claimed that the U.S. was experiencing the worst inflation ever under Biden’s administration. While inflation is a concern, it is nowhere near record levels. The highest inflation rates were recorded in the 1970s and early 1980s.
Trump also falsely claimed that Biden’s administration planned to raise taxes by four times the current rate. In reality, Biden’s proposed tax increase is around 7% over the next decade, with the majority of the increase being borne by the top 1% of taxpayers.
In conclusion, while Trump addressed various issues during his speech at the Republican National Convention, many of his claims were found to be false or lacking context. Fact-checking teams analyzed his statements and provided evidence to support their findings. It is important to rely on accurate information and verified data when evaluating the claims made by political figures.
