In a highly anticipated showdown, U.S. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump faced off in the first presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle. This intense ninety-minute debate took place inside a CNN studio in Atlanta, moderated by CNN hosts Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. Departing from tradition, the debate was held without a live audience, with only the candidates and moderators present. Additionally, the candidates were prohibited from using prepared notes or props, and their microphones were muted when it wasn’t their turn to speak.
Biden, hindered by a cold, initially stumbled and spoke with a raspy voice, raising concerns about his age and mental fitness. He later regained his footing, mocking Trump’s physical fitness and calling him a “whiner” and a “loser.”
Here’s a fact check of some of the key claims made by Trump and Biden during the debate on June 27, 2024.
Trump Claims “We Had the Greatest Economy in the History of Our Country”: Untrue
Trump’s Claim: “Our economy was the strongest it has ever been. We’ve never performed this well. It amazed everybody, including me. We were being imitated by other nations.”
Fact Check: Trump’s assertion that the U.S. economy had its best performance ever during his presidency is untrue when evaluated against various widely accepted economic performance measures. According to the World Bank, the GDP growth under Trump averaged 2.49% if the 2020 pandemic is excluded. This figure is significantly lower than the 3.88% growth during President Bill Clinton’s tenure. Including the post-COVID period, the average growth drops to 1.18%. Historical comparisons further disprove Trump’s claim, with GDP growth rates between 4.4% and 6.6% from 1962 to 1966 and 8.7% to 8% in 1950 and 1951.
Joblessness: Another Misleading Claim
President Joe Biden remarked that when he started office, “the economy was flat on its back.
President Joe Biden, defending his economic record, claimed that when he took office, the unemployment rate was 15% and the economy was struggling due to Trump’s actions.
Facts First: Biden’s claim is inaccurate. The unemployment rate in January 2021 was 6.4%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
While unemployment did reach nearly 15% during Trump’s presidency, this occurred in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused over 20 million job losses, spiking unemployment from 4.4% in March 2020 to 14.8% in April 2020.
Since that peak, unemployment has significantly decreased, returning to pre-pandemic levels by June 2022, and maintaining a rate at or below 4% for the past 30 months.
In summary, while both candidates presented their cases passionately, it’s crucial to verify their statements against reliable data to ensure an informed electorate. The debate highlighted significant disagreements on key issues like abortion, immigration, the economy, and their individual records, setting the stage for a contentious election season.