Kamala Harris has certainly found herself in a challenging position when even CNN’s fact-checkers are calling out her misleading statements. During a recent interview with MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle, Harris made a bold and entirely incorrect claim regarding Donald Trump’s economic record. She stated that Trump left the country with the “worst economy since the Great Depression” and lost 200,000 manufacturing jobs even before COVID struck. Yet, the numbers paint a very different picture—one that CNN’s fact-checker Daniel Dale was quick to address.
CNN fact-checks this answer from Harris about manufacturing jobs
“Harris’ claim is false. Trump presided over a gain of 414,000 US manufacturing jobs, not a loss of “at least 200,000,” before the Covid-19 pandemic hit.”https://t.co/DB8qi9wHq9 pic.twitter.com/8JHJ58bGTN
— Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) September 26, 2024
The actual facts? Trump presided over a gain of 414,000 manufacturing jobs between January 2017 and February 2020, before COVID-induced lockdowns began. Harris’ exaggeration of job losses not only misrepresents the facts but seems part of a broader effort to rewrite history. In fact, as Dale pointed out, Trump’s total job losses during his entire presidency amounted to 178,000, not the “at least 200,000” Harris claimed. This type of misinformation, especially in such a pivotal interview, adds to the already mounting criticism of the Vice President’s communication style and grasp of policy details.
Not only that, folks, but Kamala made two big mistakes besides fibbing.
First, the last thing she should do is bring up the pandemic. It really ticks people off, especially after what we all know now. Second, by mentioning the economy – which was rolling in 2019 – before all the 2020 nonsense, she reminds all of us how better things were when Trump was in office.
Harris’ misstep seems intended to draw attention away from the economic failings of the current administration she is number two in command of. Under “Bidenomics,” which she said often was “working,” many Americans are feeling the pinch as inflation drives up prices and the middle class struggles to make ends meet. Rather than offering substantive solutions, Harris often defaults to vague and empty phrases like “opportunity economy” and “holistic manner,” which only deepens the frustration of those looking for real change.
The interview itself was a complete trainwreck and this was a softball interview.
You know it’s getting bad. Even CNN is dropping savage fact-checks on her.
