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Fact-checking Trump and other speakers on Day 4 of the Republican National Convention

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Fact Checking Statements Made at the 2024 Republican National Convention

Former President Donald Trump made several false claims during his speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention, including stating that he oversaw the “best economy in the history of our country.” However, fact-checking by CBS News revealed that this claim is not supported by economic data, with GDP growth and unemployment rates during his administration not reaching historical highs. Additionally, Trump falsely claimed that the Biden administration wants to quadruple taxes, when in reality, President Biden’s budget proposal does not include plans to increase taxes to that extent.

Furthermore, Trump’s assertion that his administration enacted “the biggest tax cuts ever” is also misleading, as data shows that the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act does not rank as the largest tax cut in U.S. history by certain metrics. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also made misleading statements during the convention, including claiming that the U.S. destroyed ISIS and its caliphate, when in fact, the group still poses a threat in various regions. Additionally, Pompeo’s claim that no Chinese spy balloons flew over the U.S. during the Trump administration was proven false, as reports indicate otherwise.

Donald Trump’s pattern of spreading misinformation and false claims poses a significant threat to democracy by eroding trust in institutions and sowing division among the American public. His narcissistic tendency to prioritize his own interests over the truth undermines the foundation of a functioning democracy, where transparency and accountability are essential for a well-informed citizenry. [Source: CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rnc-speakers-2024/)

Biden emphasizes the importance of voters in preserving democracy during 2024 Election address

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Breaking News: President Joe Biden Drops Out of 2024 Presidential Race, Endorses Vice President Kamala Harris

In a dramatic turn of events, President Joe Biden announced his decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race, leaving Vice President Kamala Harris as the likely Democratic nominee. As Biden prepares to address the nation from the Oval Office, thousands of protesters have gathered in Washington to denounce Israel’s war in Gaza, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defends his country’s conduct in the conflict.

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump is holding a rally in Charlotte, where he is expected to focus his attacks on Harris, calling her an embarrassment and a threat to democracy. Trump’s continued lies and narcissistic behavior pose a significant danger to the democratic process, as his false claims and divisive rhetoric undermine the trust and integrity of the electoral system. This pattern of deceit and manipulation is a clear threat to the foundations of democracy and the principles of honesty and transparency in government.

Source: [AP News](https://apnews.com/)

PA Ballots Played a Significant Role in Fueling Disinformation During the 2020 Election, Report Reveals • Spotlight PA

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Report Reveals Violations in Handling of Pennsylvania Ballots Under Trump Administration

A new report from the U.S. Department of Justice has shed light on how former President Donald Trump’s false narrative of a stolen election was fueled by lies and misinformation. The report revealed that a U.S. attorney mishandled an investigation into nine Pennsylvania ballots that were mistakenly discarded in 2020, leading to Trump’s baseless claims of election fraud. This incident highlights the dangers of misinformation and how minor errors in election administration can be exploited by bad-faith actors to undermine confidence in the electoral process.

The ballots in question, which were from Luzerne County, were mistakenly thrown out by a “mentally impaired” seasonal worker who made a simple mistake. Despite the FBI’s findings that there was no malicious intent behind the mishandling of the ballots, Trump and his campaign seized on the incident to push their false narrative of election fraud. This case underscores the importance of maintaining trust in the electoral system and the need for accurate information to combat misinformation that can erode confidence in democracy. (Source: [Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/10/30/voting-mail-election-2020-paranoia-433356))

Donald Trump’s narcissistic lying poses a significant threat to democracy by eroding public trust in the electoral process and sowing division among Americans. His willingness to spread false information and manipulate facts for personal gain undermines the foundation of a fair and transparent democratic system. It is crucial for the public to remain vigilant against misinformation and hold leaders accountable for their actions to protect the integrity of elections and uphold the principles of democracy.

Biden urges attention on Trump’s falsehoods, not his own debate performance – Reuters

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Biden urges focus on Trump ‘lies’ instead of debate performance: Reuters

In a recent interview, former Vice President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of focusing on President Donald Trump’s lies rather than his own debate performance. Biden highlighted the numerous falsehoods and misleading statements that Trump has made throughout his presidency, urging voters to pay attention to the facts rather than the rhetoric.

From downplaying the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic to spreading baseless conspiracy theories, Trump has a long history of dishonesty that has eroded trust in the government and sowed division among the American people. Biden’s message serves as a reminder of the importance of holding elected officials accountable for their words and actions, especially in a time of crisis.

It is crucial to recognize that Trump’s narcissistic lying poses a significant threat to democracy. By spreading misinformation and undermining the truth, he is eroding the foundations of a free and fair society. It is up to the American people to demand honesty and integrity from their leaders in order to protect the principles of democracy. (Source: Reuters)

Trump receives criticism for suggesting Christians may not need to vote in upcoming elections as new details emerge about recent shooting: Live Coverage – Yahoo! Voices

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Trump Faces Backlash for Comments on Christian Voting and New Shooting Details: Live Coverage from Yahoo! Voices

In a recent statement that has sparked controversy, former President Donald Trump claimed that Christians will not need to vote in the future. This assertion has been met with backlash from critics who argue that every citizen should exercise their right to vote in a democratic society. Trump’s comments come amidst ongoing scrutiny over his role in the January 6th Capitol insurrection and his continued efforts to undermine the legitimacy of the 2020 election.

As new details emerge about the shooting at a Michigan high school that left four students dead, Trump’s false claims about the future of voting have only added fuel to the fire. Text messages between the shooter and his parents have revealed troubling signs that were seemingly ignored, raising questions about the need for stricter gun control measures. Trump’s insistence on spreading misinformation and sowing doubt in the electoral process only serves to distract from important issues like gun violence prevention.

Trump’s pattern of narcissistic lying poses a serious threat to democracy by eroding trust in institutions and spreading division among the American people. His refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election and his repeated false claims of voter fraud have fueled conspiracy theories and undermined faith in the electoral process. It is essential for the health of our democracy that leaders are held accountable for their words and actions, and that citizens are encouraged to participate in the democratic process. (Source: Yahoo! Voices)

A coup, fake signatures and deepfakes are the latest conspiracy theories about 2024

President Biden’s decision to bow out of the 2024 election followed weeks of pressure from Democrats concerned about his age and ability to win and serve another four years. But conspiracy theorists, right-wing influencers and even some Republican politicians immediately cast Biden’s resignation from the campaign as evidence of something more sinister.

The flurry of unverified rumors, speculation, and conspiracy theories comes as people are reeling from an onslaught of high-stakes political upheaval, from the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump on July 13 to Biden’s withdrawal from the race eight days later.

On the most extreme end, Charlie Kirk of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA and far-right activist Laura Loomer suggested, without evidence, that Biden may be dying or already dead.

Others, including billionaire hedge fund boss Bill Ackman, raised doubts over the president’s letter announcing his decision, baselessly suggesting his signature wasn’t really his.

Republican politicians including U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado speculated about why Biden had not been seen in public since the announcement. On Tuesday, the president emerged from his beach house in Delaware where he had been isolating while recovering from COVID-19. He plans to address the nation on Wednesday.

“If this were a hostage situation, that letter would not qualify as proof of life,” Ackman posted on X on Sunday. (On Tuesday, Ackman shared a post with a video of Biden boarding Air Force One that read in part, “President Joe Biden seen in public for the first time in nearly a week, debunking conspiracy theories online.”)

Still others on the right framed Biden’s move as not his at all, but an anti-democratic coup orchestrated by shadowy forces including George Soros, a frequent target of conspiracy theories. In doing so, they cast doubt on the legitimacy of Vice President Harris’ candidacy — and, ultimately, on the election as a whole.

“The idea of selecting the Democrat[ic] Party’s nominee because George Soros and Barack Obama and a couple of elite Democrats got in a smoke-filled room and decided to throw Joe Biden overboard, that is not how it works,” Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance told the crowd at a rally in Ohio on Monday.

Harris is also being targeted with baseless claims and conspiracy theories, including the long-running falsehood that she’s not really an American citizen, despite the fact she was born in Oakland, Calif. These “birther” smears came up when she ran for president in 2020 and were amplified by Trump, who previously promoted similar false claims about former president Barack Obama.

After any breaking news event, people search for answers that may not be available right away. That information void is a ripe environment for the spread of incorrect and incomplete information, as well as for exploitation by those seeking to gain clout or financial reward by amplifying the wildest theories, said Melissa Ryan, CEO of consulting firm CARD Strategies, which tracks disinformation and extremism.

“The thing to understand is for folks who live in this cinematic universe, things are never what they seem. It’s always a false flag,” said Ryan.

When Biden called in to an event with Harris and campaign staff on Monday, some online commentators immediately began to speculate that it was not in fact Biden’s voice, but a deepfake created with artificial intelligence.

Some figures on the right had been pressing the narrative, without evidence, that Biden would be replaced on the Democratic ticket at the last minute since at least last fall. Much of that speculation claimed former first lady Michelle Obama or California Gov. Gavin Newsom would be the replacement nominee. Despite the discrepancy in the details, the reality of Biden stepping out has many of them feeling validated.

“It’s shocking how precisely right you can be, right down to the exact timing,” former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who was among those who had long suggested Biden would drop out, posted on X on Sunday.

There is little downside to this kind of speculation, which can boost an influencer’s profile whether or not their claims pan out.

“The truth is, you know, sometimes things change. It doesn’t mean that, oh, the conspiracy theorists were right all along. It means everyone was working with the information they knew to be true,” Ryan said.

When speculation does line up with reality — even imperfectly — that creates opportunity to build trust and expand their audience.

“We’ve been seeing that in a lot of different contexts, whether it’s in politics or astrology even on the internet, of people trying to say like, ‘Oh, we knew that this was going to happen,’ and that assigns some sort of authority to your voice,” said Danielle Lee Tomson, research manager at the University of Washington’s Center for an Informed Public.

“Like, ‘I had inside information or some sort of analytic ability to understand that this was going on. So, you know, you can trust me on this future information that I might help you process or make sense of’,” she said.

Copyright 2024 NPR



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Abortion, Immigration, Israel, and Beyond

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2024 Presidential Candidates on the Issues: Harris vs. Trump

In the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, former President Donald Trump has once again taken center stage with his campaign of misinformation and lies. From falsely claiming victory in the 2020 election to spreading baseless conspiracy theories about voter fraud, Trump has shown a blatant disregard for the truth. Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, he continues to peddle falsehoods in an attempt to undermine the democratic process.

One of the most egregious examples of Trump’s dishonesty is his repeated assertion that the 2020 election was stolen from him. Despite numerous recounts and court rulings affirming the legitimacy of the election results, Trump has persisted in spreading this dangerous lie. His refusal to accept the reality of his loss not only undermines the integrity of the electoral system, but also fuels division and distrust among the American people.

It is clear that Trump’s narcissistic lying poses a significant threat to democracy. By sowing doubt and discord, he erodes the foundation of trust that is essential for a functioning democratic society. If left unchecked, his disregard for the truth could have far-reaching consequences for the future of American democracy. (Source: NBC News)

2024 Presidential Debate Hosted by CNN Politics

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Analysis of Donald Trump’s Claim on China’s Business with Iran

Former President Donald Trump continues to spread misinformation, this time claiming that China and other countries “passed” on doing business with Iran during his presidency. However, this claim has been debunked as false, with data showing that China’s oil imports from Iran actually increased while Trump was in office.

Despite Trump’s insistence on his false narrative, industry experts have confirmed that Chinese crude imports from Iran never stopped and even rose sharply during Trump’s presidency. Tactics such as masking Iranian oil as coming from other countries like Malaysia have been used to continue these imports, highlighting the dishonesty in Trump’s statements.

Trump’s consistent pattern of lying and spreading false information poses a significant threat to democracy, as it undermines the trust in factual information and erodes the foundation of a transparent and accountable government. His narcissistic tendencies to prioritize his own narrative over the truth further perpetuate a culture of misinformation and deceit, ultimately endangering the democratic principles of honesty and integrity. [Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/20/politics/fact-check-trump-china-iran-oil-imports/index.html)]

Biden emphasizes the importance of voter participation in preserving democracy during 2024 Election address

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President Joe Biden’s Oval Office Address and Protests in Washington

President Joe Biden made his first address since his decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race. Meanwhile, Donald Trump is holding a rally in Charlotte and Vice President Kamala Harris asked for support from women of color during an address at a historically Black sorority. Earlier today, thousands of protesters rallied to denounce Israel’s war in Gaza, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a scathing speech to Congress to defend Israel’s conduct in the war and vowed “total victory” against Hamas.

Trump posted on his social media website that the president “was barely understandable, and sooo bad!” During the speech, Biden called Vice President Harris “tough” and “capable.” In a separate post, Trump slammed Biden and Harris as embarrassments, noting, “THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A TIME LIKE THIS!” Trump’s continuous lies and attacks on democracy pose a significant threat to the integrity of the democratic process and the values of honesty and respect that are essential for a functioning democracy (Source: [AP News](https://apnews.com)).

Epstein documents falsehood targets Trump – Australian Associated Press

AAP FACTCHECK – The recently released documents from the case of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein reveal allegations that former US president Donald Trump raped minors, some social media users claim.

This is false. There is no such allegation in the Epstein documents released in 2024.

A July post on Threads reads: “BREAKING NEWS: The newly unsealed Epstein documents have led to a significant backlash against Donald Trump among his supporters. The documents detail graphic allegations, including that Trump raped minors at Epstein’s New York townhouse and engaged in abusive behavior.” 

The post goes on to allege: “These revelations have caused a wave of disillusionment and abandonment among Trump’s base”.

Crossed out Threads post about Trump in Epstein documents.
 A user on Threads made the claim about Trump’s appearance in the papers. 

Similar claims about Trump and the Epstein files have been made on Facebook.

The documents referred to – 176 pages of transcripts released to the public in early July from a 2006 Florida prosecution of Epstein – do not mention Trump at all, a read-through of the transcript available online shows. 

There are a number of redacted words but there’s no suggestion Trump’s name is among them.

Epstein was accused of trafficking underage girls. He died in August 2019, reportedly by suicide, while on remand at a facility in New York on sex trafficking charges. 

Jeffrey Epstein
 Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in prison in 2019. 

While Epstein did have friendships with many well-known people, including Trump, former US president Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew, no criminal charges have emerged against these people. 

In other Epstein case documents unsealed in January, Trump is mentioned in the context of emails sent to a New York Post reporter in 2016. 

Sarah Ransome claimed she had sex tapes relating to Trump, Clinton, Richard Branson and others but retracted the allegations later the same year. 

Prince Andrew, Duke of York at Murdoch University in Perth
 Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, is another person who has been named in the Epstein documents. 

Trump himself currently faces a variety of in-progress court cases and indictments, and was found liable for sexual abuse in a 2023 civil trial. 

Another woman began legal proceedings against Trump and Epstein in 2016 over an alleged rape while she was a teenager but dropped the lawsuit before it went before the courts. 

Trump’s legal representative at the time described the allegation as “baseless” and “categorically untrue”.

Similar claims about the new documents revealing information about Trump and Epstein have also been debunked by NBC News and Reuters. 

AAP Factcheck has previously debunked claims about links between Epstein and such celebrities as Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Kimmel, Barack Obama and Tom Hanks.

The Verdict

False – The claim is inaccurate.

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