The first televised debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in the US election campaign featured discussions on key issues like the economy, immigration, and abortion.
BBC Verify examined several claims made during the debate.
Claim: Trump stated that migrants in Ohio are eating pets. Verdict: No evidence supports this claim. Springfield city officials confirmed no credible reports of pet harm or abuse by immigrants.
Claim: Harris said Trump-era unemployment was the worst since the Great Depression.
Verdict: This is false. Unemployment peaked at 10% in October 2009, and the rate at the end of Trump’s term was 6.4%.
Claim: Trump claimed millions of people are entering the US from prisons and asylums.
Verdict: No evidence supports this claim. Data shows about 1% of border apprehensions have previous criminal convictions.
Claim: Harris said Trump would sign a national abortion ban if re-elected.
Verdict: This is misleading. Trump has denied supporting a national ban, instead leaving abortion limits to individual states. A document referenced by Harris, “Project 2025,” recommends limiting abortion access but does not propose a national ban. Trump has distanced himself from the document.
