Questionable statements
Hillary Clinton
Donald Trump
The falsehoods, the half-truths, the exaggerations and the cherry-picked data. To learn more about which of the candidates’ statements are true, visit our 2016 election Fact Checker page.
“My father gave me a very small loan in 1975, and I built it into a company that's worth many, many billions of dollars.”
This doesn't paint the whole picture. Trump borrowed $9 million against his future inheritance. And he has previously described a $1 million loan he got from his father as “small.“
“Independent experts have looked at what I’ve proposed, what Donald has proposed. … [Under Trump’s tax plan] we would lose 3.5 million jobs and maybe have another recession. My plans ... we will have 10 million more jobs because we will be making investments where we can grow the economy.”
Mark Zandi, a well-respected economist, did issue a report saying that if Trump’s economic plans were fully implemented, 3.5 million jobs would disappear. His report also said that if Clinton were able to fully implement her economic plans, the economy would add an additional 3.2 million jobs during the first four years of her presidency. Combined with anticipated job creation under current law, that adds up to 10.4 million jobs. But the report also said that Clinton would face significant roadblocks to getting her economic plan through Congress, resulting in far fewer job gains.
“I did not. I did not. I do not say that.” (Responding to Clinton's claim that he “thinks that climate change is a hoax perpetrated by the Chinese.”)
In 2012, Trump tweeted: “The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.“
TRUMP: You called [the Trans-Pacific Partnership] the gold standard of trade deals. You said it’s the finest deal you’ve ever seen.
CLINTON: No.
In 2012, while secretary of state, Clinton did say: “This TPP sets the gold standard in trade agreements to open free, transparent, fair trade, the kind of environment that has the rule of law and a level playing field.“
Trump: “You have been fighting ISIS your entire adult life.”
Clinton is 68. ISIS has not existed for 50 years.
“If you’re too dangerous to fly, you are too dangerous to buy a gun.”
Clinton was referring to legislation introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), that would give authority to the attorney general to decide whether or not a suspected terrorist could buy a gun. Under the law, belonging to a terrorist organization, does not automatically stop someone from buying a gun. There has to be another factor that disqualifies the person, such as a felony conviction or illegal immigration status.
“Stop-and-frisk had a tremendous impact on the safety of New York City. Tremendous beyond belief.”
One study found that between 2003 and 2013, it took 593 stops to recover a single gun.
“You’re wrong. Murders are up [in New York].”
Trump was responding to Clinton's claim that crimes, including murders, have dropped under Mayor Bill de Blasio. He is half right. There were 19 more murders in 2015 than in 2014, de Blasio's first year in office. But 2014 saw a record low number of murders.
“They were pressing it very hard. She failed to get the birth certificate. When I got involved, I didn’t fail. I got him to give the birth certificate.”
Clinton never questioned that that President Obama was born in the United States.
“I was just endorsed by ICE. They've never endorsed anybody before on immigration.”
Trump was endorsed by a union that represents ICE officers, not the agency itself.
“When ISIS formed in this vacuum created by Barack Obama and Secretary Clinton...”
What is now known as the Islamic State terrorist group was founded by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. It was active in Iraq by 2003.
“I did not support the war in Iraq.”
Trump said in 2002 interview with Howard Stern that he supported the invasion.
Clinton accused Trump of calling pregnancy an inconvenience to employers. “Didn’t say that,” Trump responded.
He did in a 2004 television interview.
Attacks
Hillary Clinton
Donald Trump
In the GOP primary debates, Trump insulted and attacked his opponents. But Monday night, Clinton took after her opponent with digs aimed at piercing his famously thin skin.
“The kind of plan that Donald has put forth would be trickle-down economics all over again. ... I call it trumped-up trickle-down, because that's exactly what it would be.”
Clinton was criticizing Trump for a tax system that would favor the rich.
“Donald, I know you live in your own reality, but that is not the facts.”
Clinton was seeking to refute Trump's characterization of her position on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.
“I have a feeling that, by the end of this evening, I'm going to be blamed for everything that's ever happened.”
Clinton was responding to a string of Trump accusations about her role in preventing job creation.
“When I look at what you have proposed, you have what is called now the Trump loophole, because it would so advantage you and the business you do.”
Clinton was characterizing a tax plan Trump has put forward that analysts have said would benefit the many subsidiaries of his company.
“Typical politician. All talk, no action. Sounds good, doesn't work.”
“First, maybe he's not as rich as he says he is. Second, maybe he's not as charitable as he claims to be.”
Clinton was speculating as to why Trump has not publicly released his tax returns.
“I have met a lot of the people who were stiffed by you and your businesses, Donald.”
Clinton was accusing Trump's company of refusing to pay contractors for work they completed.
“it's really unfortunate that he paints such a dire negative picture of black communities in our country.”
Clinton was rebutting Trump's assertion that African Americans are living in terrible conditions in the United States.
“I’ve been all over the place. You decided to stay home, and that’s okay.”
Trump mocking Clinton for taking a few days off the trail for debate prep.
“Donald just criticized me for preparing for this debate. And, yes, I did. And you know what else I prepared for? I prepared to be president. And I think that's a good thing.”
Clinton was alleging that Trump is not ready to be president.
“He has a long record of engaging in racist behavior.”
Clinton was criticizing Trump for pushing a “birther“ conspiracy about President Obama and for a Justice Department lawsuit in the 1970s alleging racial discrimination in rental housing operated by Trump's real estate company.
“I hope the fact-checkers are turning up the volume and really working hard.”
Clinton was responding to Trump's assertion that he opposed the war in Iraq.
“I also have a much better temperament than she has, you know?”
“Whew, okay.”
Clinton was responding to a rambling answer from Trump about his “winning temperament.“
“A man who can be provoked by a tweet should not have his fingers anywhere near the nuclear codes.”
Clinton was speaking to Trump's temperament.
“Hillary will tell you to go to her website and read all about how to defeat ISIS, which she could have defeated by never having it, you know, get going in the first place.”
“She doesn’t have the look. She doesn’t have the stamina.”
“Hillary has experience. But it’s bad experience.”
“This is a man who has called women pigs, slobs and dogs, and someone who has said pregnancy is 'an inconvenience' to employers.”
Clinton was recounting negative comments Trump has made about women.
“I said very tough things to her, and I think everybody would agree that she deserves it and nobody feels sorry for her.”
Trump, on his attacks against Rosie O'Donnell
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The 2016 Election Fact Checker
The true, the false and everything in between. From The Washington Post's fact checking team.
Donald Trump vs. Hillary Clinton on the issues
Compare and share their positions on the year’s biggest issues.
How to vote in your state
15 states have new laws that could make it more difficult to vote this year. Check if yours is one of them.
