What's happened
During a recent presidential debate, Donald Trump made false claims regarding abortion laws, asserting that Democrats support infanticide. Despite being fact-checked live, Trump reiterated these statements at a rally, igniting further controversy and debate over abortion policies in the U.S.
Why it matters
What the papers say
In coverage by The Guardian, Arwa Mahdawi critiques Trump's claims, emphasizing the lack of legal basis for his assertions about infanticide. She notes that fact-checking during the debate was crucial in countering misinformation. Conversely, Oliver O'Connell from The Independent highlights Trump's insistence on these claims even after being fact-checked, illustrating the persistence of false narratives in political discourse. Gabrielle Canon also underscores the moderators' efforts to maintain factual accuracy, yet acknowledges the backlash from conservative commentators who perceived bias in the fact-checking process.
How we got here
The debate between Trump and Kamala Harris highlighted ongoing tensions surrounding abortion rights in the U.S. Trump's claims stem from a misinterpretation of a Minnesota law and have been a recurring theme in anti-abortion rhetoric.
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Kamala Devi Harris is an American attorney and politician who has served as the junior United States Senator from California since 2017.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Timothy James Walz is an American politician who is the governor-elect of Minnesota. A member of the Democratic Party, he has served as the U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 1st congressional district since 2007.