Immigration, Taxes, and Project 2025: Key Claims from the 2024 VP Debate Fact-Checked
In the highly anticipated vice-presidential debate for the 2024 U.S. election, candidates Tim Walz and JD Vance clashed on a range of critical issues including immigration, foreign policy, and reproductive rights. This debate marked the only opportunity for the candidates to showcase their positions ahead of the election.
Key Claims Fact-Checked by BBC Verify:
1. The Number of Illegal Immigrants in the U.S.
CLAIM: Vance stated, “We’ve got 20-25 million illegal aliens who are here in the country.”
VERDICT: This assertion is misleading. Estimates from various reputable sources place the number of undocumented immigrants at approximately 11-12 million. The Office of Homeland Security reported around 11 million as of January 2022, with similar figures provided by the Pew Research Center and the Migration Policy Institute. Vance’s numbers are significantly inflated compared to these estimates.
2. Project 2025 and a Pregnancy Registry
CLAIM: Walz claimed, “Their Project 2025 is going to have a registry of pregnancies.”
VERDICT: This statement is inaccurate. Project 2025, associated with the Heritage Foundation, does not propose a registry of pregnancies. While it discusses the collection of data regarding abortions, there is no indication of establishing a federal agency for pregnancy registration. Former President Trump has distanced himself from this initiative.
3. Unfrozen Assets to Iran Under the Biden Administration
CLAIM: Vance alleged, “Iran has received over $100 billion in unfrozen assets by the Harris administration.”
VERDICT: This claim is false. There is no evidence to support that over $100 billion in assets were unfrozen by the current administration. The funds referenced include approximately $16 billion released under two agreements during the Biden presidency, which were tied to humanitarian purposes and did not involve the amount stated by Vance.
4. Trump’s Federal Tax Payments
CLAIM: Walz asserted, “Donald Trump hasn’t paid any federal tax in the last 15 years.” He later specified, “in the last year as president.”
VERDICT: The first part of Walz’s claim is false, while the second part is true. Trump has paid federal taxes over the last 15 years; however, according to a 2022 report, he did not pay any federal income tax in his final year as president, 2020. The House Ways and Means Committee disclosed Trump’s tax returns for 2015-2020, revealing a varied tax payment history during that period.
Conclusion: A Debate Full of Claims and Counterclaims
The debate highlighted significant issues affecting the American public, with candidates presenting contrasting views. Fact-checking these claims is essential to ensure voters are informed ahead of the upcoming election.
Stay tuned for further updates and analysis as we continue to cover the 2024 election landscape.
Source: BBC
