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Biden speech at Dem convention prompts fact-check.

Fact-checking the first night of the convention: Claims by a range of speakers analyzed.

Published August 20, 2024 at 10:00am by

Biden Addresses Democratic Convention, Passing Torch to Harris as He Warns of Extremist Threats to Democracy

CHICAGO — In a fiery speech, President Joe Biden addressed the Democratic convention, once expected to nominate him, to pass the torch to VP Kamala Harris, the nominee. Biden warned of extremist threats to democracy, as the audience chanted, "Thank you, Joe." Harris, the second woman to head a Democratic ticket, and speakers including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Hillary Clinton, and others, criticized Trump-era policies, repeating, "We're not going back."

Abortion

Biden: "Trump will do everything to ban abortion nationwide." [Politifact]: Trump said abortion should be left to states, but endorsed national bans.

Health Care

Biden: "Seniors with diabetes will pay $35/month for insulin, instead of $400." [Half True]: The Inflation Reduction Act capped costs at $35, but most didn't pay $400/month.
Biden: "Trump wants to cut Social Security and Medicare." [Mostly False]: Trump suggested cuts in the past, but his current stance opposes cuts.

Immigration

Biden: "Border encounters dropped over 50% due to my executive action." [Mostly True]: Crossings are down, but experts say it's too early to credit one policy.

Crime Rates

Biden: "Murder rate rose 30% under Trump, the biggest increase ever." [Half True]: Murders rose 35% in 2020, but analysts attribute it to the pandemic and social unrest.

Economy

Biden: "Semiconductor jobs pay over $100K, no degree needed." [Mostly False]: Average pay is $170K, and max without a degree is $70K.
Biden: "Smallest racial wealth gap in 20 years." [Half True]: Gap narrowed by one measure, but by another, the disparity widened.
Biden: "Average tax rate for billionaires is 8.2%." [False]: The actual rate is over 20%. Biden uses a theoretical figure.

Trump and the Rule of Law

Clinton: "Trump fell asleep at his trial, and has 34 felony convictions." [Unclear if asleep]: Trump was convicted of 34 felonies, not stopped from running for office.
Rep. Raskin: "Trump calls for ending all rules, including the Constitution." [True]: Trump suggested election fraud could end constitutional rules.

IVF

Sen. Durbin: "Trump shut down IVF." [False]: Alabama paused IVF, but Trump supports IVF and a bill shielded providers.

COVID-19 Pandemic

Rep. Garcia: "Trump told us to inject bleach for COVID-19." [Mostly False]: Trump suggested studying disinfectants, but never instructed their injection.

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