Fact-Checking the Claims from the Harris-Trump Presidential Debate

US presidential nominees Kamala Harris and Donald Trump faced off in an occasionally heated presidential debate in Philadelphia on Tuesday evening. From exaggerated statements on unemployment to bizarre stories aimed at firing up anti-migrant rhetoric, along with false numbers regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, DW closely examined the claims made during the debate to distinguish fact from fiction.

Unproven claim that immigrants eat pets

Claim: During the debate, former President Trump repeated a claim about immigrants eating pets in the US, specifically in Ohio. However, DW’s fact-check revealed that this claim is unproven.

Trump’s use of anti-migrant rhetoric was evident throughout the debate, with claims like these being widely spread online. However, there is no evidence to support the allegations of immigrants harming pets in Ohio.

Do Democrats support the execution of babies?

Claim: Trump’s claim during the debate that Democrats support the execution of babies was labeled as misleading in DW’s fact-check.

The fact-check outlined the details of the Roe v. Wade ruling and the restrictions around late-stage abortions in the US, providing clarity on the claims made during the debate.

Does Trump support a national abortion ban?

Claim: Harris claimed that Trump would sign a national abortion ban if reelected, but DW found this claim to be false.

The fact-check explored Project 2025 and Trump’s stance on a national abortion ban, revealing the nuances in the claims made during the debate.