Fact-Checking Vice President Kamala Harris’s Speech on Day 4 of the D.N.C.
In the heart of Chicago, on the final night of the Democratic National Convention, Vice President Kamala Harris accepted her party’s nomination for president. Harris shared her biography and asserted that her opponent, former President Donald J. Trump, was an unserious man attempting to bring the United States back to the past. However, like the speakers before her on the same night and throughout the convention, Harris largely discussed aspirations and ideals, and rarely deviated far from the facts.
In order to provide a balanced and informed perspective, let’s evaluate some of the claims made by Vice President Harris and other speakers during the convention.
Fact-Checking the Convention Speakers
Senator Tammy Baldwin on Social Security and Medicare Cuts
“Donald Trump was asked what he would do about Social Security and Medicare, and he said, and I quote, ‘There is a lot you can do in terms of cutting.’”
This statement needs context. While Baldwin accurately referred to comments made by Trump in a previous interview, it’s important to note that Trump later clarified that he was talking about eliminating waste, not cutting the programs. Despite not having a clear plan for upholding these programs, he has repeatedly reassured that he would not make cuts to either program.
Representative Pat Ryan on Trump’s Comments about Veterans
“A serial liar, cheater, thief who looked soldiers in the eye, then turned around and called fallen heroes suckers and losers.”
This claim also requires context. The assertion that Trump, as president, called veterans “suckers” and “losers” originates from a 2020 article about his relationship with the military. Despite Trump’s fervent denials, various outlets have corroborated many of the stories mentioned in the article.
Senator Mark Kelly on Trump’s NATO Remarks
“He invited Russia to do — and these are his words, not mine — ‘whatever the hell they want.’”
Once again, context is required. Kelly left out a significant detail when quoting Trump. The former president made this remark regarding a NATO member nation that failed to meet the alliance’s military spending targets. It wasn’t a general invitation for Russian recklessness.
Representative Ruben Gallego on Veteran Unemployment Rate
“Kamala Harris has achieved the lowest veteran unemployment rate in history.”
This claim holds true. The unemployment rate for veterans was 2.2% in April 2023 during the Biden-Harris administration, marking the lowest rate recorded since 2003. However, the rate has slightly increased since, sitting at 3% in July.
Vice President Kamala Harris on Trump’s Tax Plans
“He doesn’t actually fight for the middle class. Instead, he fights for himself and his billionaire friends. And he will give them another round of tax breaks that will add up to $5 trillion to the national debt.”
This portrayal is misleading. While it’s true that Trump has advocated for several tax cut initiatives, not all these cuts exclusively benefit billionaires. Additionally, the total cost of these tax cuts would not reach the $5 trillion mark.
Kamala Harris on Trump’s Proposed Tariffs
“He intends to enact what is, in effect, a national sales tax — call it a Trump tax — that would raise prices on middle-class families by almost $4,000 a year.”
This statement requires context. Harris is referring to Trump’s proposal for tariffs, but her cited cost is only one estimate. Multiple sources have provided varying estimates, some lower and some higher. Importantly, Trump has also suggested replacing income taxes with tariffs as a way to mitigate their impact, a suggestion experts deem impractical.
