In this week’s fact-checking video, CNN’s Jake Tapper debunks two claims made by President Donald Trump about the U.S. military involvement in Syria.
Video: Trump’s False Syria Claims
Issues: military
Trump on ‘Unfair’ U.S.-Japan Security Treaty
President Donald Trump described a security treaty with Japan as an “unfair agreement” negotiated by “stupid” American officials in which “Japan doesn’t have to help us at all” if the U.S. is attacked. But that ignores the benefits in the treaty for the U.S.
FactChecking Trump’s El Paso Rally
The president’s falsehoods on El Paso crime continued, and he misled the crowd on the trade deficit and South Korea’s contribution to U.S. military costs.
False Stories Revive Claim About Trump Salary Donation
Q: Did President Trump donate his $400,000 salary to military cemeteries?
A: No. A year-old viral email makes that claim. But the president does indeed donate his salary to different government initiatives each quarter.
The President and Military Pay Raises
President Donald Trump mistakenly said he approved a military pay raise for the “first time in 10 years.” He meant to say it was the largest pay raise, the White House says. It is the largest in eight years. But pay increases are determined by a statutory formula.
McConnell Revises History on Syria
Sen. Mitch McConnell revised history when explaining why he supported President Trump’s missile strike on Syria but opposed President Obama’s call for a targeted strike against Syria after a chemical weapons incident in 2013.
Dems Stood for Widow’s Ovation
Q: During President Trump’s address to Congress, did top Democrats remain seated during a standing ovation for a Navy SEAL’s widow?
A: No. There were two ovations and video shows Democratic leaders stood for both. However, they did not remain standing as long as Republicans.
Groundhog Friday
At this stage of the campaign, we often hear similar claims repeated over and over in stump speeches.
Clinton on the Stump
Part two of our series checking the accuracy of claims made by the presidential candidates in their daily stump speeches.
Kaine Twists Words of GOP Rivals
In a speech in Michigan, Tim Kaine cherry-picked the words of his Republican opponents, Donald Trump and Mike Pence, to leave a misleading impression of their public statements on military service members and white nationalist David Duke.