If your time is short
- Live Updates: Fact-checking the first 2020 presidential debate
- PolitiFact is partnering with WRAL, our PolitiFact North Carolina affiliate, to present a live video stream with real-time fact-checking. If you prefer to stream the debate live, click here.
At PolitiFact, we’re gearing up for Election 2020 debates. It’s kind of our Super Bowl. There are four debates this fall: three presidential and one vice presidential. PolitiFact will fact-check the debates in real time on our website. Sign up for PolitiFact’s email to get a link to our fact-checking ahead of Tuesday’s debate.
The first debate is Sept. 29. Here’s how it’s going to work:
When: Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 9 to 10:30 p.m. ET
Where: Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.
Who’s moderating? Chris Wallace, anchor, Fox News Sunday. Wallace likely won’t fact-check the candidates throughout the debate. (It’s OK, PolitiFact will fill in!) Frank Fahrenkopf, co-chair for the Commission on Presidential Debates, says fact-checking is the duty of the other candidate, not the moderator.
Who will be on the debate stage? President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will debate each other for the first time.
How do I watch? PolitiFact is also partnering with WRAL, our PolitiFact North Carolina affiliate, to present a live video stream with live fact-checking. If you prefer to stream the debate live, click here.
What’s the format? The debate will be broken into six segments of about 15 minutes. Wallace said last week that he will cover the following topics: Trump’s and Biden’s records; the Supreme Court; COVID-19; the economy; race and violence in U.S. cities; and the integrity of the election.
When are the other debates?
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Oct. 7: vice presidential debate between Vice President Mike Pence and U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris
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Oct. 15: second presidential debate
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Oct. 22: third presidential debate
Catch up with the latest PolitiFact fact-checking of Election 2020:
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Trump’s words about the virus have strayed from the truth in ways small and large. 10 of Donald Trump’s big falsehoods about COVID-19.
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What we know about 2020 election interference: It’s not just Russia.
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In Context: Is there a ‘Biden Rule’ on Supreme Court nominations in a presidential election year?
- Trump’s PolitiFact Scorecard. Biden’s PolitiFact Scorecard.
Our Sources
Poynter - Why Chris Wallace likely won’t be fact-checking during Tuesday’s presidential debate