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

$

HBO’s Oliver is right: Mitch McConnell isn’t a ‘homegrown Kentucky girl’

By Aaron Sharockman
May 12, 2014

John Oliver decided to have a little fun mocking the U.S. Senate race in Kentucky on his new show, Last Week Tonight.

And he used the Truth-O-Meter to help deliver a punchline.

Oliver showed ads being aired by Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell and Democratic challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes as a way to poke fun at the race, saying McConnell is bashing Lundergan Grimes because she doesn’t like coal while Lundergan Grimes is attacking McConnell for being old.

At one point, Oliver showed a clip of Lundergan Grimes proudly saying she’s a “homegrown Kentucky girl” in contrast to McConnell. 

“She’s not wrong. She’s not wrong,” Oliver said. “Mitch McConnell is not a homegrown Kentucky girl.

“PolitiFact rates that one as True,” Oliver said, as a graphic of our Truth-O-Meter popped up on the screen. 

For the record, we haven’t checked that one. But PolitiFact has spent some time fact-checking some other claims in the race. Read McConnell’s file here. And read the file on Lundergan Grimes here.

Our Sources

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, HBO, May 11, 2014

Browse the Truth-O-Meter

More by Aaron Sharockman
Jason MIller
stated on October 4, 2020 in comments on ABC's "This Week":
Says Joe Biden stays in his basement.
False
Amy Klobuchar
stated on December 20, 2019 in the sixth Democratic presidential debate:
Says Pete Buttigieg ran statewide in Indiana and "lost by 20 points."
True
Bloggers
stated on February 7, 2018 in a blog post:
"FBI RAIDS OBAMA – Find Massive Secret That Was Hidden For YEARS."
False

HBO’s Oliver is right: Mitch McConnell isn’t a ‘homegrown Kentucky girl’

Jon Ossoff
stated on June 27, 2026 in a campaign speech:









Donald Trump
stated on June 23, 2026 in a speech in Macungie, Pennsylvania:

David Jolly
stated on June 11, 2026 in a speech:

Marsha Blackburn
stated on June 19, 2026 in an X post:





Steve Robinson
stated on June 5, 2026 in Fox News “The Ingraham Angle”:

Josh Hokit
stated on June 14, 2026 in a UFC event at the White House:


Donald Trump
stated on May 22, 2026 in remarks in Suffern, New York: