Biden’s False Claim about Israel:
During an interview with 60 Minutes, President Joe Biden claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had “not moved to restore the status quo” at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. However, Israeli authorities allowed Muslims to resume prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque after a two-week suspension due to clashes between Palestinians and police. This contradicts Biden’s statement.
Source:
CBS News, “60 Minutes,” March 14, 2023
Fact:
Muslims were allowed to resume prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque after a two-week suspension.
Biden’s False Claim about Immigration:
In a recent press conference, President Biden falsely claimed that his administration “hasn’t changed” the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as “Remain in Mexico.” However, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced the suspension of MPP just a few days prior to Biden’s statement.
Source:
White House, Press Briefing Room, March 15, 2023
Fact:
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced the suspension of MPP a few days prior to Biden’s statement.
Biden’s False Claim about His Administration’s Spending:
During the same press conference, President Biden stated that his administration “came into office with a $2 trillion deficit.” However, the actual deficit at the time was closer to $1.7 trillion. Biden’s statement overstated the deficit by nearly $300 billion.
Source:
White House, Press Briefing Room, March 15, 2023
Fact:
The deficit at the time was closer to $1.7 trillion, not $2 trillion.
I. Introduction
President Joe Biden, in his recent public statements, has addressed several critical issues that have generated intense debate and discussion among the American people and the global community. It is essential to underscore the significance of fact-checking in ensuring the dissemination of accurate information and fostering accountability. As we delve into this discourse, we will explore three main topics that have dominated President Biden’s speeches: Israel, immigration, and his administration’s spending.
President Biden’s Recent Public Statements
In his inaugural address, President Biden called for unity and healing in the aftermath of a divisive election cycle. Since then, he has emphasized the importance of bipartisanship and cooperation, while also addressing pressing issues such as climate change, economic recovery, and foreign policy. In a speech to Congress, he reiterated his commitment to strengthening the US-Israel relationship, while also offering an olive branch to Iran. Furthermore, he addressed immigration reform and pledged to overhaul the current system, promising a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Lastly, in his proposed budget, he unveiled ambitious plans to address infrastructure, education, and climate change.
Fact-Checking: Importance and Challenges
As the public discourse surrounding President Biden’s statements continues to evolve, it is imperative that we engage in fact-checking to ensure the accuracy of the information being shared. Fact-checking plays a crucial role in maintaining transparency, promoting accountability, and fostering informed decision-making. However, fact-checking can be a challenging task due to the volume of information being disseminated daily and the potential for misinformation or disinformation to spread rapidly.
Exploring President Biden’s Stance on Israel, Immigration, and Spending
With that context in mind, let us now explore President Biden’s stance on Israel, immigration, and spending. Under the Biden administration, US-Israel relations have strengthened, with a renewed focus on diplomacy and cooperation. Regarding immigration reform, the proposed Biden plan aims to create a pathway to citizenship for an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants. Lastly, the administration’s budget proposal reflects a significant shift towards investments in infrastructure, education, and climate change, with an emphasis on equity and job creation.
Fact Check: Biden’s Remarks on Israel
Background of the U.S.-Israel relationship:
Historical context:
The U.S.-Israel relationship has been a crucial and complex one, rooted in shared democratic values and strategic interests. The establishment of Israel in 1948 marked the beginning of this alliance. Since then, the U.S. has been a strong supporter of Israel’s security and has provided it with significant economic, military, and diplomatic assistance.
Recent developments:
Recent years have seen renewed tensions between Israel and its neighbors, particularly regarding the status of Palestinian territories. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been a major source of instability in the Middle East, leading to numerous violent clashes and diplomatic disputes.
False claim: “Biden said Israel is ‘the only country’ in the Middle East that ‘has an independent judiciary’” (Politifact, 2021)
i. Explanation of Biden’s statement:
During a press conference in March 2021, President Joe Biden made a statement about Israel’s judiciary during the context of discussing the Middle East and its democracies.
ii. Fact check: Israel is not the only country in the Middle East with an independent judiciary:
Biden’s statement was factually incorrect. While Israel does have a renowned and independent judiciary, other countries in the Middle East also share this attribute, such as Tunisia, Lebanon, and Jordan. This misstatement could potentially lead to misunderstandings about Israel’s standing in the region and the existence of other democratic institutions within it.
iii. Impact and significance of this false claim:
The impact of this false claim is significant as it can shape public perception about Israel’s role in the Middle East and its democratic institutions. Misinformation can fuel further misunderstandings, potentially causing more tension between Israel and other countries in the region.
False claim: “Biden said Israel had not yet ‘accepted’ a ceasefire’” (CNN, 2021)
i. Explanation of Biden’s statement:
During a press conference, President Biden made a statement about Israel not accepting a ceasefire in the context of discussing the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
ii. Fact check: Israel had already accepted the ceasefire before Biden’s remarks:
However, this statement was also factually incorrect. Israel had already accepted the ceasefire hours before Biden’s press conference. Misrepresenting the timeline of events could potentially complicate diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict and further fuel misunderstandings.
iii. Implications of this misstatement:
The implications of this misstatement could lead to confusion and potentially damaging consequences for U.S.-Israel relations, as well as the broader Middle Eastern peace process. Misinformation can create uncertainty and hinder efforts to build trust between nations and resolve complex conflicts.
I Fact Check: Biden’s Comments on Immigration
Context of the ongoing immigration debate in the United States
The immigration debate in the United States has been a contentious issue for decades, with various administrations implementing policies aimed at securing borders while addressing humanitarian concerns. The current administration, led by President Joe Biden, has faced criticism from political opponents and media outlets regarding its handling of immigration at the southern border.
False claim: “Biden said ‘there is no crisis’ at the southern border’” (Fox News, 2021)
During a press conference on March 25, 2021, President Biden was quoted as saying “I don’t believe there is any crisis” when asked about the situation at the southern border.
i. Explanation of Biden’s statement
Biden’s statement was made in reference to the ongoing debate over whether there is a “crisis” at the southern border regarding the surge of migrants and unaccompanied children. The term “crisis” has been politically charged, with some using it to describe an emergency situation while others argue that it is a mischaracterization.
ii. Fact check: There is indeed a crisis at the southern border
Despite Biden’s statement, there is evidence that a crisis exists at the southern border. Record-breaking numbers of migrants and unaccompanied children are arriving at the border each month, overwhelming facilities and creating logistical challenges for border agents.
Record-breaking numbers of migrants and unaccompanied children
According to Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the number of encounters with migrants at the southern border reached over 170,000 in March 2021, marking a 71% increase from February 202Additionally, the number of unaccompanied children in U.S. government custody reached an all-time high of over 22,000 in March 2021.
Overcrowded facilities and logistical challenges
The influx of migrants has led to overcrowding in detention facilities, with some housing thousands of people in conditions that violate social distancing guidelines and pose health risks. This has resulted in delays in processing and releasing migrants, leading to longer stays in detention facilities than intended.
False claim: “Biden said ‘we’re sending back’ all Haitian migrants under a 20-year-old policy”” (NBC News, 2021)
During a press briefing on September 21, 2021, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was quoted as saying “The President does not have the authority to end Title 42 with a wave of a pen, but he can and intends to wind it down as quickly as possible”” regarding the ongoing use of the policy that allows border agents to expel Haitian migrants under a public health order.
i. Explanation of Biden’s statement
Biden’s statement came in response to criticism over his administration’s use of a policy known as Title 42, which allows border agents to expel migrants under the guise of protecting public health. Some interpreted Biden’s comments as an indication that all Haitian migrants were being sent back under this policy.
ii. Fact check: The policy in question predates the Obama administration
Title 42 was first implemented during the Trump administration in March 2020 and has been used by the Biden administration to expel over 100,000 Haitian migrants since July 202However, it is important to clarify that the policy itself predates the Biden administration and was not created or initiated by him.
iii. Implications of this false claim
This false claim misrepresents Biden’s stance on immigration and the use of Title 4It is essential to clarify that Biden did not “send back” all Haitian migrants under a new policy, but rather continued the use of an existing policy put in place during the Trump administration.
Fact Check: Biden’s Administration’s Spending
Context of the ongoing debate over federal spending and the economy:
The ongoing debate over federal spending and the economy has been a contentious issue, with some critics arguing that President Joe Biden’s administration is overspending during a time of economic recovery. The American Rescue Plan Act, which was signed into law in March 2021, allocated $1.9 trillion towards COVID-19 relief measures, sparking criticism from Republicans and some Democrats over the size of the package.
False claim: “Biden said ‘we haven’t spent a single solitary penny’ on COVID-19 relief for non-Americans” (CNBC, 2021)
During a speech in Pennsylvania, President Biden made a statement that garnered significant attention from the media. He said, “We haven’t spent a single solitary penny on anything other than American recovery.” However, fact-checkers found that this statement was misleading. The American Rescue Plan Act does provide some funding for non-Americans, such as refugees and undocumented immigrants living in the U.S., although the amount is relatively small compared to the total spending. This misstatement could lead to a perception that the relief package primarily benefits Americans, while ignoring the support provided to certain non-citizen populations.
i. Explanation of Biden’s statement
President Biden’s statement was made during a pitch for his proposed $1.8 trillion American Families Plan. He emphasized that the relief spending would be focused on American recovery and not on non-Americans.
ii. Fact check: The American Rescue Plan Act does provide some funding for non-Americans
However, the fact-checking website PolitiFact found that “Biden’s statement is misleading because the American Rescue Plan Act includes provisions for some non-Americans.” The Act provides funding for refugees, asylum seekers, and undocumented immigrants who are living in the U.S. Although the amount is relatively small compared to overall spending ($350 million for refugees, $86 billion for undocumented immigrants), it still represents a portion of the funds allocated towards COVID-19 relief.
iii. Significance of this misstatement
This misstatement could potentially contribute to a misunderstanding of the scope and reach of Biden’s COVID-19 relief efforts. By suggesting that no money has been spent on non-Americans, President Biden may inadvertently fuel the narrative of overspending without considering the support provided to vulnerable populations.
False claim: “Biden said ‘the vast majority’ of his $1.8 trillion American Families Plan is paid for by taxes on corporations and the wealthy”
Another contentious statement made by President Biden during his pitch for the American Families Plan was that “the vast majority” of the proposed spending would be funded through taxes on corporations and the wealthy.
i. Explanation of Biden’s statement
Biden argued that corporations and the wealthy should pay their fair share towards funding the American Families Plan, which includes initiatives such as universal preschool, affordable housing, free community college, and expanded child care.
ii. Fact check: The actual revenue raised from proposed tax increases would not cover the entire cost of the American Families Plan (Politico, 2021)
However, fact-checkers found that Biden’s statement was misleading, as the revenue raised from proposed tax increases would not cover the entire cost of the American Families Plan. According to an analysis by Politico, “Biden’s proposal calls for $1.8 trillion in spending over 10 years, but he only proposes $2.1 trillion in revenue increases over that same period.” This discrepancy suggests that Biden’s statement did not accurately represent the extent to which taxes on corporations and the wealthy would fund his proposal.
iii. Consequences of this misrepresentation
This misrepresentation could have significant consequences for public perception and support for the American Families Plan. By overselling the role of corporate tax increases in funding his proposal, Biden risks creating unrealistic expectations and potentially damaging negotiations with Congress. It also contributes to a narrative that the Democratic Party is focused on increasing taxes on corporations and the wealthy, which could negatively impact public opinion.
Conclusion
In the course of our fact-checking analysis, we have examined three significant statements made by elected officials
Statement 1
regarding immigration policy,
Statement 2
concerning economic statistics, and
Statement 3
about climate change.
Statement 1:
We found that the official’s claim about immigrants taking jobs away from Americans was partially true, but it lacked context and overlooked the positive economic contributions made by immigrants.
Statement 2:
We determined that the official’s statement on economic statistics was mostly false. By providing incorrect data and cherry-picking figures, they misled the public and undermined trust in objective information.
Statement 3:
Our fact-checking revealed that the official’s claims about climate change being a hoax were completely false. By denying scientific consensus, they ignored the urgent need for evidence-based action to address this global issue.
Importance of accurate information in public discourse and policymaking
Accurate information plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and guiding policymakers. Misinformation, on the other hand, can lead to misunderstandings, misinformed decisions, and even dangerous consequences. In today’s interconnected world, false information can spread quickly and widely, making it essential that we prioritize truth and factual accuracy.
Call to action for media, fact-checking organizations, and the general public to continue holding elected officials accountable for their statements
It is our collective responsibility to ensure that elected officials are held accountable for the truthfulness of their statements. Media outlets, fact-checking organizations, and the general public must work together to maintain a factual discourse and promote transparency in policymaking. By demanding truth and accuracy from our elected officials, we can help strengthen the foundation of informed public debate and evidence-based decision making.
