Fact-Checking The First Presidential Debate

Addressing issues ranging from national security to trade to their personal controversies, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump squared off in the first presidential debate Monday. The Onion takes a look at the validity of their bolder claims:


“I don’t believe she does have the stamina. To be president of this country, you need tremendous stamina.” -Donald Trump

Stamina is actually one of Clinton’s highest attribute categories in terms of skill points, after agility and metallurgy.


“I was against [the Trans-Pacific Partnership] once it was finally negotiated and the terms were laid out.” -Hillary Clinton

False. She was against the TPP once it was finally negotiated and it was clearly electorally unviable.


“My father gave me a very small loan.” -Donald Trump

It is true that $1 million does not get you far in New York City.


“Manufacturing jobs went up also in the 1990s, if we’re actually going to look at the facts.” -Hillary Clinton

No one is actually looking at the facts.​


“No wonder you’ve been fighting ISIS your entire adult life.” -Donald Trump

It is well-documented that Hillary Clinton was pro-ISIS from 1982 to 1985.


“We need to move on.” -Lester Holt

True.


“[NAFTA] is the single worst trade deal ever approved in this country.” -Donald Trump

This is false. The worst trade deal in this country’s history was when the SuperSonics dealt Scottie Pippen to the Bulls for Olden Polynice.


“We were born before the wind, also younger than the sun.” -Hillary Clinton

Confirmed by Van Morrison in 1970.


“The 28 countries of NATO.” -Donald Trump

You’ve got to give credit where credit is due; there are in fact 28 countries in NATO.


“Violent crime is one half of what it was in 1991.” -Hillary Clinton

Come on, is this really going to change what you think one way or another?


“I say who makes these? We lose on everything. All I said, that it’s very possible that if they don’t pay a fair share, because this isn’t 40 years ago where we could do what we’re doing. We can’t defend Japan, a behemoth, selling us cars by the million.” -Donald Trump

What he doesn’t tell you is, and this by the way, if you have any doubt in your whatever mind, look it up, because anyone can know this or tell this as the case had been, that you have these alliances and they are making America to where we lose.




Sample front page of The Onion's DNC paper