As a primer for the 2024 election, here’s our guide to the top 10 falsehoods and distortions — so far — in terms of Trump’s and Biden’s propensity to repeat them.
Familiar Claims in a Familiar Presidential Race
Issues: Taxes
Trump, Haley Trade False and Misleading Attacks
The last two major candidates for the Republican presidential nomination have misfired in launching attacks on each other recently.
FactChecking Trump’s New Hampshire Victory Speech
Following his projected win in New Hampshire’s GOP primary on Jan. 23, former President Donald Trump gave a speech that included distorted claims about the state’s primary rules, his election record in New Hampshire, his Republican opponent’s general election prospects and Democrats’ tax plans.
FactChecking the Haley-DeSantis GOP Debate
The two presidential contenders had the stage to themselves just days before the Iowa caucuses.
FactChecking Biden’s Reelection Remarks
President Joe Biden announced on April 25 that he would run for reelection in the 2024 campaign. In his video announcement and a speech later that day to a union group, Biden repeated several claims we’ve fact-checked before.
Posts Mislead on Legal Basis for Paying Federal Income Taxes
The U.S. Constitution established Congress’ right to impose federal income taxes, and the Internal Revenue Service administers the laws that require payment of taxes. Yet social media posts falsely claim there is no law that requires U.S. residents to pay taxes.
Biden’s Tax Rate Comparison for Billionaires and Schoolteachers
President Joe Biden has said there are hundreds, if not a thousand, billionaires paying lower federal tax rates than schoolteachers, police officers, firefighters and nurses. What his audience may not know is that his comparison relies on including wealthy families’ gains on unsold stock as income.
The Facts on Sen. Scott’s Claim That Biden Is a ‘Tax Cheat’
After President Joe Biden took a veiled swipe at him during the State of the Union address, Sen. Rick Scott released an ad labeling Biden a “tax cheat.” The White House defends the tax maneuver, one it says the IRS blessed, though some tax experts remain unconvinced.
Partisan Posts Misrepresent IRS’ Voluntary Program Proposal on Tip Income
The IRS has proposed a voluntary program that employers could choose to use in order to manage the taxes owed on employees’ tips. The program would replace similar existing programs. But some partisan social media accounts have wrongly suggested that the program indicates either new taxes or increased enforcement. Neither is true.
Democrats Misleadingly Suggest Widespread GOP Support for FairTax Bill Unlikely to Become Law
Few Republican lawmakers have publicly supported the FairTax Act, but that hasn’t stopped Democratic leaders from suggesting that the bill has wide support among congressional Republicans.