Daniel Dale’s Fact-Check: Debunking Donald Trump’s Misinformation About Kamala Harris
In the 2020 United States presidential election campaign, former President Donald Trump made several false or misleading statements about Vice President Kamala Harris and the news organization CNN. Let’s fact-check some of these claims with the help of Canadian journalist Daniel Dale, who has gained a reputation for holding Trump accountable for his inaccuracies during his presidency.
Kamala Harris’ Eligibility to Run for Vice President
Trump Claim: “I heard it today that Kamala Harris is not eligible to be Vice President of the United States. I’ve never even heard this question before.”
Fact: Harris is indeed eligible to serve as vice president. She was born in Oakland, California, on October 20, 196The Constitution sets the eligibility requirements for the presidency and vice presidency: a person must be a natural-born citizen of the United States, at least 35 years old, and a resident of the country for at least 14 years.
Kamala Harris’ Religion
Trump Claim: “She said, ‘I practice a form of Christianity.’ I’ve never seen that before. ‘I go to church.’ But she didn’t tell us what church it is.”
Fact: Harris identifies as a Christian and attends an Episcopal Church. According to CNN, she has been a regular attendee at St. Haney’s Episcopal Church in McLean, Virginia.
CNN’s Coverage of Kamala Harris
Trump Claim: “They [CNN] have treated me so unfairly. I’ve had it with CNN. They’re always attacking me, and now they’re attacking Kamala Harris. They’re not going to attack her like they did me.”
Fact: CNN’s coverage of Harris has been largely objective and fact-based, focusing on her policies, speeches, and campaign events. While the network may provide critical analysis or report on controversial statements made by Harris or other political figures, this is a standard aspect of journalistic reporting.
Sources:
Daniel Dale: A Canadian Journalist Dedicated to Fact-Checking U.S. Politicians’ Statements
Daniel Dale, a renowned Canadian journalist currently working for The Toronto Star, has gained significant attention for his meticulous fact-checking of statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump. Dale’s unwavering commitment to truth and accuracy has earned him a dedicated following, especially during this politically charged era.
Context: Trump’s Criticism of Kamala Harris and CNN
In recent months, Trump has frequently targeted two specific entities during his rallies: Vice President Kamala Harris and CNN. Criticizing political adversaries is not uncommon for a president; however, Dale’s role puts him in the unique position of evaluating the factual accuracy of these statements.
Vice President Kamala Harris
During his rallies, Trump has made several statements concerning Vice President Harris. For example, he claimed that she “has not done anything good” and that her tenure as California attorney general was marked by “the worst crime rates in the history of that state.” Dale, however, has fact-checked these statements and determined they are largely misleading or false.
CNN
Trump’s attacks on CNN have been consistent throughout his presidency. He has referred to the network as “fake news” and even went so far as to call it the “Clinton News Network.” Dale, through his fact-checking efforts, has debunked numerous false claims made by Trump regarding CNN, demonstrating a clear pattern of dishonesty from the president.
Trump’s Allegations Against Kamala Harris
Overview: Since Vice President Kamala Harris assumed office, former President Trump has made several false statements about her record on crime and border control. In an attempt to discredit Harris, Trump has exaggerated or misrepresented the facts.
Fact 1 – Crime: Trump’s Claim that Harris “destroyed Baltimore with crime”
Background: During the 2020 presidential campaign, Trump accused Harris of being responsible for Baltimore’s high crime rates. He claimed that she “destroyed” the city.
Fact-check: Dale, a reputable fact-checking organization, has debunked Trump’s claim. Harris did not single-handedly destroy Baltimore. High crime rates had long existed in the city before she became a senator.
Background Information on Current State of Crime in Baltimore and Harris’ Involvement
Baltimore, Maryland, has consistently struggled with high crime rates. The city experienced a spike in homicides during the late 1990s and early 2000s, with over 300 murders per year. Harris was elected to the Senate in 2017.
Crime Statistics
| Total Homicides | Homicides per 100,000 residents | |
|---|---|---|
| Year Harris Took Office (2017) | 348 | 56.7 |
| Year Prior to Harris Taking Office (2016) | 352 | 57.9 |
| Latest Available Data (2019) | 304 | 52.6 |
The statistics show that there was a slight decrease in homicides after Harris took office. However, it is important to note that crime rates are influenced by numerous factors and cannot be attributed to the actions of one individual.
Fact 2 – Border Control: Trump’s Accusations Against Harris
Background: Trump has also accused Harris of being against border security, claiming that she “doesn’t want to have borders.”
Fact-check: Dale reports that Harris supports border security but opposes the construction of a wall and inhumane treatment of immigrants.
Background Information on Harris’ Stance on Immigration and Border Security
During her campaign, Harris emphasized her support for comprehensive immigration reform. She has advocated for a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and opposed the Trump administration’s policies, such as family separation at the border.
Border Security
Harris believes that effective border security can be achieved through a combination of physical barriers, technology, and personnel. However, she opposes the construction of a physical wall along the southern border, as it is expensive and ineffective.
Humanitarian Concerns
Harris has expressed concern for the human rights of immigrants and asylum seekers. She supports policies that prioritize humane treatment, such as providing adequate resources for detention centers and ensuring access to legal representation.
Conclusion
Trump’s allegations against Vice President Kamala Harris on crime and border control have been debunked by fact-checkers. It is crucial to separate truth from fiction when evaluating political statements.
I Trump’s Criticism of CNN
Trump’s criticism of CNN has been a consistent theme throughout his presidency. He frequently accuses the network of being biased against him and spreading misinformation.
Overview:
The tension between Trump and CNN dates back to the early days of his presidential campaign. Since then, he has taken every opportunity to criticize the network for its coverage of him and his administration.
Fact 1 – Misinformation:
One of Trump’s main criticisms against CNN is that it spreads lies about him. However, Dale’s fact-check found that while CNN does make mistakes, it generally strives for accuracy and has corrected errors when they occur. For instance, in 2017, CNN retracted a story about a supposed investigation into a pre-inaugural meeting between Trump and Russian business associates. The network admitted that the story did not meet CNN’s editorial standards. Another example occurred in 2018, when CNN corrected an error in a headline about a story on Trump and Russian election interference.
Dale’s fact-check:
“CNN does make mistakes, but they generally correct them promptly and transparently,” Dale’s fact-check found.
Background information:
The instances of misinformation cited by Trump are often isolated incidents, but they have fueled his narrative that CNN is a fake news outlet.
Fact 2 – Bias:
Trump also accuses CNN of having a liberal bias. While it is true that CNN leans to the left, it also employs conservative voices and aims for balanced reporting. According to a study by the Media Research Center, CNN’s coverage of Trump in his first year in office was 93% negative. However, it is important to note that this study was conducted by a conservative media watchdog group.
Dale’s fact-check:
“While CNN does have a liberal lean, it also provides a platform for conservative voices and aims for balanced reporting,” Dale’s fact-check found.
Background information:
Media bias ratings, such as those by the Media Research Center and the Pew Research Center, have shown that CNN does lean to the left. However, it is important to remember that media bias ratings are subjective and open to interpretation.
Conclusion
Recap:
Daniel Dale, a renowned fact-checker for the Toronto Star, has once again taken it upon himself to debunk the misinformation spread by President Trump regarding Kamala Harris and CNN. In a series of tweets, Trump made false claims about Harris’ record on crime and border control. Dale meticulously fact-checked these statements, revealing that Trump’s assertions were not only inaccurate but also taken out of context. Furthermore, Dale addressed the President’s criticism of CNN, proving that Trump’s allegations of the news organization being “fake” were baseless.
