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Fact-Checking Trump on Harris

Trump called her a threat and invoked familiar far-right conspiracy theories that paint any political opponent as an extremist.

Published July 27, 2024 at 5:06am by

Former President Trump Attacks Vice President Harris in First Post-Biden Campaign Rally

Charlotte, NC — In his first campaign rally since President Biden dropped out of the 2024 race, former President Donald Trump attacked his likely general election opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.

"She is a radical left lunatic who will destroy our country. If she ever gets the chance to get into office." — Trump

Trump took aim at Harris' positions on immigration, health care, and abortion, making several claims that PolitiFact has previously fact-checked:

"As border czar, Kamala threw open our borders and allowed 20 million illegal aliens to stampede into our country." — Trump

False. Biden tasked Harris with addressing the issues driving migration from Central American countries. Border security remains the responsibility of the Department of Homeland Security. The border is not "open," with physical barriers, surveillance technology, and border patrol agents controlling entry. Encounters with immigrants illegally crossing do not equal admissions, and the actual number of immigrants released into the US is significantly lower.

"Kamala Harris co-sponsored (Sen.) Bernie Sanders’ $32 trillion plan to take over the entire U.S. health system." — Trump

True. In 2019, Harris co-sponsored the Medicare for All Act, which would establish a national health insurance program run by the federal government. Private insurers could only offer supplemental coverage. This bill goes further than the Affordable Care Act and mirrors socialized medicine systems in other countries. While Harris initially supported this during her 2020 presidential campaign, it has not gained traction with Democrats and she has since focused on bolstering the ACA.

"When asked if her plan would outlaw private health insurance for 180 million Americans, (Harris) replied, ‘Let's just eliminate all of it.'” — Trump

Half True. Harris did co-sponsor Sanders' Medicare for All bill, which would eliminate private health insurance except as supplemental coverage. However, Trump took Harris' words out of context; she was referring to eliminating delays and paperwork from insurance company approval processes, not eliminating insurance entirely. Harris clarified that her goal was to ensure everyone had access to medical care.

"She wants abortions in the eighth and ninth month of pregnancy, that’s fine with her, right up until birth, and even after birth — the execution of a baby." — Trump

False. Harris has publicly supported abortion access up to fetal viability, which is typically around 24 weeks. Situations resulting in third-trimester abortions are rare and involve fatal fetal anomalies or life-threatening emergencies. Harris supported the Women's Health Protection Act, which failed to advance in the Senate and would have allowed abortions after viability when the pregnancy posed a risk to the pregnant person's life or health.

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