By Blace Carpenter and Alexa Cheaney
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump had their first debate since the 2020 election late on June 27. Viewers of the debate have been left wondering what is right and wrong after both candidates made false claims about their presidency. Social media such as X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram can spread misinformation so here are credible sources to get the facts straight about the first debate of the 2024 presidential election.
The Associated Press
The Associated Press (AP) is known for both its national and international political coverage. As one of the leaders of coverage in this year’s election, the publication covered the debate with live updates and posted an article calling out the false claims on almost every topic discussed during the debate.
FACT FOCUS: Here’s a look at some of the false claims made during Biden and Trump’s first debate
NPR
National Public Radio (NPR) is known for its daily coverage of American and world news, the radio giant stays neutral when it comes to political affairs. While the station didn’t provide live updates during the debate, journalists for the publication published their articles on the misinformation early Friday morning. NPR focused on the topic of immigration and what each candidate claimed during the debate.
Fact check: What did Biden and Trump claim about immigration in the debate?
The New York Times
The daily print and online publication New York Times (NYT) has been respected for its coverage of national and international affairs since its first national recognition in the 1870s. While the paper often takes a more progressive approach to its coverage, the publication has provided live updates of the debate as far as late Friday morning. A team of political and economic journalists provided real-time fact-checks of both candidates’ statements.
Debate Fact Check: Biden and Trump on the Economy, Immigration and Foreign Policy
All Grand Rapids Community College students have free access to the NYT through the library.
Politico
Founded in 2007, Politico focuses coverage on the connections between power, policy and politics. The publication is described as mostly centrist but tends to lean left. Following a shaky debate performance and Democrats growing concerned about Biden’s age and public approval, Politico has tracked the party’s reaction. A shortlist of people to potentially replace Biden as the democratic nominee has emerged, with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer mentioned.
Playbook: Democrats wake up to a nightmare
The Detroit Free Press
The 193-year-old Michigan paper surveyed locals in Detroit following last night’s debate to see how swing-state voters may have been influenced. The publication found that many had not changed their mind about who they would be voting for in the fall and reported that Trump had “at least 30 false or misleading claims” during the debate, whereas Biden had at least nine.
President Biden’s bad debate night may not have changed many Michigan voters’ minds.
