Stand up for the facts!

Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.

More Info

I would like to contribute

$

Biggest falsehoods of the presidential campaign

By Bill Adair
November 1, 2012

The 2012 presidential campaign has given the Truth-O-Meter a solid workout.
   
PolitiFact in Washington has published more than 800 fact-checks on the presidential race, touching on everything from Chinese windmills to Big Bird and taking into account more than 20 debates, the party conventions and dozens of TV ads.
   
With the campaign winding down, they’ve selected the biggest falsehoods from the candidates, the parties and super PACs. Read the write-up here.

Our Sources

See the linked PolitiFact story.

Browse the Truth-O-Meter

More by Bill Adair
John Kitzhaber
stated on July 18, 2014 a campaign debate:
Oregon "is the most trade-dependent state in the nation"
False
Donald Rumsfeld
stated on February 17, 2013 an op-ed in the "Washington Post":
Says wrestling was a favorite sport of Abraham Lincoln.
True
Rick Perry
stated on January 8, 2012 a Republican debate in New Hampshire.:
Says President Barack Obama "is a socialist."
Pants on Fire!
C.W. Bill Young
stated on February 20, 2010 a speech to Pinellas County Republicans.:
The Democratic health care plan is a "government takeover of our health programs."
Pants on Fire!
Barack Obama
stated on January 27, 2010 his State of the Union address:
The "pay-as-you-go law ... was a big reason why we had record surpluses in the 1990s."
Half-True
Dick Cheney
stated on December 30, 2009 a statement to Politico.:
President Obama "doesn't ... want to admit we're at war."
Pants on Fire!
Barack Obama
stated on September 20, 2009 an interview on Meet the Press:
"Mathematically, the White Sox can still get in the playoffs."
True

Biggest falsehoods of the presidential campaign





Donald Trump
stated on May 4, 2026 a White House event:








Donald Trump
stated on April 23, 2026 remarks at the White House:







Chris Wright
stated on April 19, 2026 an interview on CNN's "State of the Union":