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FactChecking the Vice Presidential Debate

FactChecking the Vice Presidential Debate

Despite a mostly civil debate between Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the two disagreed repeatedly not just on policy, but also on the facts. We referee some of those competing claims, and other factual missteps by the vice presidential candidates.

Trump, Vance Wrong About ‘Illegal Immigrant Murderers’

Trump, Vance Wrong About ‘Illegal Immigrant Murderers’

In campaign appearances over the weekend in the swing state of Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, falsely accused Vice President Kamala Harris of letting more than 13,000 “illegal immigrant murderers” into the United States.

Posts Misrepresent Vance’s Comments About His Pet Dog

Posts Misrepresent Vance’s Comments About His Pet Dog

Sen. JD Vance introduced his dog during a recent interview with Tucker Carlson in an effort to debunk rumors that the family pet was rented to enhance the Republican vice presidential nominee’s image. But social media posts are highlighting a brief clip of the interview to falsely claim Vance “admits he has a ‘rent-a-dog.'”

Vance’s Misleading Claim About Immigrants and Murders in Springfield, Ohio

Vance’s Misleading Claim About Immigrants and Murders in Springfield, Ohio

Sen. JD Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, circulated a baseless rumor on social media that the residents of Springfield, Ohio, “have had their pets abducted and eaten by” immigrants. Now, Vance has cherry-picked data to make the unfounded claim that immigrants are responsible for an 81% increase in the city’s murders.

Third Night of the Democratic Convention

Third Night of the Democratic Convention

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz accepted his party’s vice presidential nomination, and repeated claims he has made before about the Republican ticket. Other speakers tried to link former President Donald Trump to Project 2025, among other claims.

Walz Twists Some Labor Claims

Walz Twists Some Labor Claims

Delivering remarks at a labor union conference in California, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz stretched the facts with several labor-related claims.

Trump, Social Media Posts Mislead on Olympic Woman Boxer

Trump, Social Media Posts Mislead on Olympic Woman Boxer

Former President Donald Trump falsely claimed Algerian boxer Imane Khelif is “a person who transitioned” and “was a good male boxer.” Khelif was born a woman and has lived as a woman, participating in women’s boxing events for years. Many social media posts made similar claims.

Posts Use Altered Image of Buttigieg in Battle over Who’s ‘Weird’

Posts Use Altered Image of Buttigieg in Battle over Who’s ‘Weird’

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and his husband adopted two infants in 2021. Social media posts use an altered photo to imply Buttigieg is “weird” and that he used a strap-on device developed so men can breastfeed babies. The original photo is from a 2019 article about the device.

Attacks on Walz’s Military Record

Attacks on Walz’s Military Record

In introducing her pick for vice presidential running mate, Kamala Harris has prominently touted Tim Walz’s 24 years of service in the Army National Guard. Now, however, GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance and the Trump campaign are attacking Walz on his military record, accusing the Minnesota governor of “stolen valor.”