Live VP debate fact-checks: How accurate are JD Vance and Tim Walz?

Debates Elections National

Vance-Walz diptych 9-25-24 — Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, left, and Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, right, will debate Oct. 1, 2024, in New York City. (AP photos)

PolitiFact is fact-checked the first 2024 vice presidential debate Oct. 1 in New York City between Republican Sen. JD Vance and Democrat Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Read our full roundup of fact-checks here.

Live debate fact-checks

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Live VP debate fact-checks: How accurate are JD Vance and Tim Walz?

Clear

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
stated on January 7, 2026 a press briefing

Says “90% of health care spending treats chronic disease.”

False

By Grace Abels • February 19, 2026

stated on January 14, 2026 a statement

New York ranks No. 1 in the nation for individual tax burden.

Mostly True

By Jill Terreri Ramos • February 17, 2026

Social Media
stated on February 14, 2026 social media posts

The Epstein files “expose Ellen DeGeneres” as a cannibal.

Pants on Fire!

By Loreben Tuquero • February 16, 2026

X posts
stated on February 12, 2026 an X post

Savannah Guthrie's husband’s company is listed as a "co conspirator" in the Epstein files, “in case you're wondering why now of all times for (her) mother to be 'kidnapped.'"

False

By Maria Briceño • February 16, 2026

Donald Trump
stated on February 8, 2026 an interview on NBC

Crime in Minneapolis “is down 25, 30% because we’ve removed thousands of criminals from the area.”

Mostly False

By Amy Sherman • February 13, 2026

stated on January 20, 2026 an op-ed

“New Yorkers pay 49% more than the national average for electricity.”

Mostly True

By Brooke Johnpier • February 13, 2026

Claudia Tenney
stated on January 16, 2026 a post on X

Said she has led the House effort to build a large Micron semiconductor facility near Syracuse.

Half-True

By Andrew McGurl • February 13, 2026

Donald Trump
stated on February 3, 2026 remarks in the Oval Office

"The crime rate now is the lowest it's been since 1900. That's 125 years."

Half-True

By Louis Jacobson • February 12, 2026

Social Media
stated on February 8, 2026 publicaciones en redes sociales

“Durante su presentación en el Super Bowl, Bad Bunny le regaló su premio Grammy a Liam Conejo Ramos”, el niño de 5 años que fue detenido por ICE.

False

By Samantha Putterman • February 9, 2026

Social Media
stated on February 8, 2026 social media posts

An image shows Bad Bunny wearing a dress and burning the U.S. flag.

Pants on Fire!

By Loreben Tuquero • February 9, 2026

Donald Trump
stated on January 27, 2026 remarks at a restaurant in Iowa

“We right now have more factories and plants being built in our country than we've ever had before.”

Half-True

By Louis Jacobson • February 9, 2026

Social Media
stated on February 8, 2026 posts

During the Super Bowl halftime show, “Bad Bunny brought Liam Conejo Ramos onto the stage,” the 5-year-old detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis.

False

By Samantha Putterman • February 9, 2026

Social Media
stated on February 5, 2026 social media posts

An image shows Jeffrey Epstein “still alive and walking the streets of Tel Aviv,” Israel.

Pants on Fire!

By Loreben Tuquero • February 6, 2026

Gretchen Whitmer
stated on February 2, 2026 a Substack

Under Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, there are “fewer families living in poverty” than under her predecessor.

Half-True

By Amy Sherman • February 6, 2026

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
stated on stated on November 17, 2025 in remarks at George Washington University:

HHS Secretary RFK Jr. said ‘we’re not cutting science’ or research. NIH grant cuts show that’s wrong

Pants on Fire!

February 5, 2026

Donald Trump
stated on February 2, 2026 an interview with Dan Bongino

Among Somalis in Minnesota, “92% of them don’t work.”

Pants on Fire!

By Amy Sherman, Louis Jacobson • February 2, 2026

X posts
stated on January 31, 2026 an X post

Images show New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as a child with his mother, Mira Nair, and Jeffrey Epstein.

Pants on Fire!

By Maria Briceño • February 2, 2026

Donald Trump
stated on January 21, 2026 remarks

In artificial intelligence, “We're leading China by a lot.”

Half-True

By Loreben Tuquero • January 29, 2026

Jared Moskowitz
stated on January 22, 2026 an X post

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s “backlog of unanswered disaster assistance applications has exploded to the largest in its history.”

Mostly True

By Samantha Putterman • January 28, 2026

JD Vance
stated on January 22, 2026 a press conference

"Right now we're focused on Minneapolis because that's where we have the highest concentration of people who have violated our immigration laws."

False

By Amy Sherman • January 28, 2026

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