States Newsroom Unravels Truth Behind Vance-Walz Vice Presidential Debate Claims

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Ohio U.S. Senator J.D. Vance participated in their first and only vice presidential debate on Tuesday, confronting a series of claims that have surfaced before.

CLAIM: Walz asserted that Vance had described former President Donald Trump as unfit for the presidency.

THE FACTS: This claim holds water. Vance indeed made this assertion in a 2016 New York Times op-ed and criticized Trump’s administration as recently as 2020, remarking that Trump had “thoroughly failed to deliver.” However, Vance has since defended his change of heart, stating he recognizes Trump’s accomplishments, underscoring the importance of evolving opinions.

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CLAIM: Vance accused schools, hospitals, and housing in Springfield, Ohio, of being overwhelmed due to the influx of illegal immigrants, attributing the struggles of American citizens there to what he termed as Kamala Harris’s open border policies.

THE FACTS: This statement has been contested. While resource strains exist, local officials, some Republicans, have disputed Vance’s characterization of the Haitian community in Springfield. Many of these migrants are in the United States legally under a long-standing Temporary Protected Status program.

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CLAIM: During the debate, Walz responded to a query about Trump’s assertion regarding his stance on abortions in Minnesota, saying that the state restored Roe v. Wade protections.

THE FACTS: In 2023, Minnesota Democrats, supported by Walz, passed legislation enshrining existing abortion rights into state law, following the Supreme Court’s earlier decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. While abortion is technically unrestricted in Minnesota, data reveals that more than 90% of procedures happen in the first trimester, with third-trimester abortions occurring infrequently and typically under specific medical conditions.

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CLAIM: Vance proclaimed he and Trump would implement “pro-family” policies and enhance access to fertility treatments, asserting he does not endorse a national abortion ban.

THE FACTS: Despite Vance’s assertion of supporting fertility treatments, he voted against a Senate measure to protect in vitro fertilization. His ambiguity on abortion policies—advocating a minimum standard yet allowing states to impose their own restrictions—has drawn scrutiny, especially given his previous support for restricting abortion access after 15 weeks.

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CLAIM: Walz claimed Minnesota has implemented paid family leave, citing growth as a result.

THE FACTS: In 2023, Walz signed a family and medical leave bill ensuring up to 20 weeks of paid leave, effective in 2026. While studies indicate that paid leave can benefit women’s workforce participation and economic growth, the actual impact of this law remains to be seen.

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CLAIM: Vance linked illegal immigration to rising housing costs, referencing a Federal Reserve study.

THE FACTS: This claim lacks substantiation. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell displayed skepticism regarding Vance’s assertion, indicating that while immigration may influence local housing markets, it does not holistically drive inflation. Research from the Federal Reserve suggests that housing supply shortages are a more significant factor in rising costs.

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CLAIM: When questioned about discrepancies regarding his presence in Hong Kong during the Tiananmen Square protests, Walz admitted to inaccuracies in his narrative.

THE FACTS: Walz acknowledged his mistake, describing himself as a “knucklehead” for misstating his timeline while emphasizing his experiences during the pro-democracy protests and their impact on his views on governance.