What Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton Get Right and Wrong

President Joe Biden kicked off the first night of the Democratic National Convention, just weeks after ending his reelection campaign. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who previously ran for the presidency in 2016, also addressed the convention, presenting a platform of support for current nominees.

USA TODAY focused on analyzing the claims made by speakers like Clinton and Biden, aiming to distinguish fact from fiction and providing context for statements that needed clarification.

One particular claim highlighted was a reference to former President Donald Trump allegedly falling asleep during his hush money trial in New York on April 15. According to a report from Maggie Haberman of The New York Times, Trump seemed to be dozing, with descriptions indicating that he nodded off at times. However, Trump’s campaign denied this claim. Reports suggest Trump displayed visible displeasure towards Haberman during the court recess.

Ultimately, Trump was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records, relating to a $130,000 hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels prior to the 2016 election.

Additionally, Clinton’s assertion that “Tennessee became the final state to ratify the 19th Amendment” was also scrutinized. While she was correct that Tennessee was the 36th state to sign off on the amendment, which granted women the right to vote, it was not the last. In fact, Mississippi was the final state to ratify the amendment, doing so in 1984.

Hillary Clinton’s support for Vice President Kamala Harris’s nomination was emphasized throughout the convention. Over the years, Clinton has been the target of various conspiracy theories and misinformation, which USA TODAY has actively debunked.

New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, another speaker at the event, has also faced her share of misrepresentation and false claims. USA TODAY has previously addressed numerous false narratives surrounding her as well.

In a break from convention norms, President Joe Biden opened the Democratic National Convention instead of closing the event, a role typically filled by the incumbent. This change in schedule followed Biden’s announcement on June 21, which stated his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race after significant pressure from within his party to reconsider his candidacy.

The call for Biden to step aside intensified after his underwhelming performance in a June debate against Donald Trump. At 81, Biden is the oldest current president in U.S. history, and concerns about his age were prevalent among voters, particularly as surveys indicated unease about the ages of both him and Trump, who is 78.

Prior to officially exiting the race, Biden expressed a commitment to his campaign but ultimately determined that stepping down was the best decision for both his party and the country. During a primetime address from the Oval Office, he endorsed Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee, stating that “the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation.”

Since his withdrawal, claims regarding Biden’s decision have circulated, with USA TODAY working to clarify false representations concerning his reasoning and the implications of his exit.

Concerns about President Biden’s health have been a topic of discussion among Democrats, particularly following his challenging debate performance. Although Biden and his team initially downplayed worries about his age and capabilities, the mounting pressure eventually influenced his decision to bow out of the 2024 race.

Despite ending his campaign, speculation regarding Biden’s health has persisted, fueled by some commentators suggesting he was incapacitated or unwell following a COVID-19 diagnosis. Biden has consistently assured the public of his health status, asserting that he would complete his term, but the scrutiny surrounding his actions continues, leading to further misinterpretations online.

USA TODAY has addressed numerous false claims concerning Biden’s mental and physical health, highlighting the ongoing dialogue about his capabilities as the nation progresses.

Source: USA TODAY