Latest Fact-checks by Louis Jacobson Clear Any Rating True Mostly True Half True Mostly False False Pants on Fire Full Flop Half Flip No Flip Any Speaker Any Date Range Last 3 Months Last 6 Months Last 12 Months 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 Any Category Mitt Romney stated on December 15, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Sioux City, Iowa: "We’re $15 trillion now in debt, with a president that’s racked up as much debt as almost all of the other presidents combined." Newt Gingrich stated on December 15, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Sioux City, Iowa: "I balanced the budget for four straight years, paid off $405 billion in debt." Michele Bachmann stated on December 15, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Sioux City, Iowa: "After the debate that we had last week, PolitiFact came out and said that everything I said was true." Newt Gingrich stated on December 10, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Des Moines, Iowa: In New York City, "an entry level janitor gets paid twice as much as an entry level teacher." David Brooks stated on December 9, 2011 in a column in the New York Times: Newt Gingrich "has suggested" building "a mirror system in space" could improve the Earth’s habitability. Michele Bachmann stated on December 10, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Des Moines, Iowa: In 1993, Newt Gingrich "first advocated for the individual mandate in health care. And as recently as May of this year, he was still advocating" for it. Barack Obama stated on December 6, 2011 in a speech in Osawatomie, Kan.: "Some billionaires have a tax rate as low as 1 percent." Newt Gingrich stated on December 6, 2011 in an interview with Fox News' Greta Van Susteren: Says the congressional ethics investigation against him was conducted by "a very partisan political committee" in a way that "related more to the politics of the Democratic Party than to ethics." Newt Gingrich stated on December 5, 2011 in a press conference: "The only reason the unemployment rate is going down is because … twice as many people dropped out of the employment pool as the number of jobs were created." Newt Gingrich stated on December 5, 2011 in a press conference: President Barack Obama "has now spent three years proving that he kills jobs in energy, he kills jobs in manufacturing." David Axelrod stated on December 5, 2011 in an interview on NBC's "The Daily Rundown": Says Newt Gingrich is responsible for the gridlocked politics of Washington. Joe Biden stated on December 1, 2011 in an interview on NBC's "Today Show": In Iraq, "violence is down to an all-time low" since the start of the war. Newt Gingrich stated on November 30, 2011 in a speech in Council Bluffs, Iowa: People can use food stamps "for anything," including "to go to Hawaii," and even millionaires can qualify. Barack Obama stated on November 30, 2011 in a speech in Scranton, Pa.: For "the average middle-class family, your taxes today are lower than when I took office." Republican National Committee stated on November 30, 2011 in a Web video: In Pennsylvania, President Barack Obama’s policies have increased unemployment 19 percent, led to the loss of 37,900 manufacturing jobs, and left 189,000 more people in poverty. Democratic National Committee stated on November 28, 2011 in a campaign advertisement: Says Mitt Romney flip-flopped on a taxpayer protection pledge. Democratic National Committee stated on November 28, 2011 in a campaign advertisement: Says Mitt Romney flip-flopped on an assault weapons ban. Democratic National Committee stated on November 28, 2011 in a campaign ad: Says Mitt Romney flip-flopped on supporting "the president's Recovery Act." Democratic National Committee stated on November 28, 2011 in a campaign ad: Says Mitt Romney flip-flopped on abortion. Newt Gingrich stated on November 22, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Washington, D.C.: In Chile "they have 72 percent of the GDP in savings." Mitt Romney stated on November 21, 2011 in a television ad: Says Barack Obama said, "If we keep talking about the economy, we’re going to lose." John Kerry stated on November 20, 2011 in an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press": Says the Simpson-Bowles deficit reduction proposal urged raising $2 trillion in new revenue. Facebook posts stated on November 17, 2011 in Facebook: 1 percent of Americans are millionaires. 47 percent of House Reps. are millionaires. 56 percent of Senators are millionaires. Greg Abbott stated on November 9, 2011 in a tweet: "Obama has (a) new Christmas tree tax." Debbie Wasserman Schultz stated on November 13, 2011 in an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press": After losing 750,000 jobs a month before this administration, the U.S. economy under Barack Obama has had 20 straight months of growth, has added 2.8 million jobs in the private sector and added "millions of jobs in manufacturing." Ron Paul stated on November 12, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Spartanburg, S.C.: "Torture is illegal by our laws. It's illegal by international laws." Newt Gingrich stated on November 9, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Michigan: "By 2014, there will be one administrator for every teacher on college campuses in the United States." Bill Clinton stated on November 8, 2011 in an interview on The Daily Show: Solar and wind energy are "both cheaper than nuclear right now." Nancy Pelosi stated on November 9, 2011 in an interview with Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show": In April 2009 "the Democrats were in control, and the congressional (approval) rating was 40 percent." Michele Bachmann stated on November 9, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Michigan: "By 2015, we will be sending so much interest" to China that "we will be paying for the entire People's Liberation Army."
Clear Any Rating True Mostly True Half True Mostly False False Pants on Fire Full Flop Half Flip No Flip Any Speaker Any Date Range Last 3 Months Last 6 Months Last 12 Months 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 Any Category
Mitt Romney stated on December 15, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Sioux City, Iowa: "We’re $15 trillion now in debt, with a president that’s racked up as much debt as almost all of the other presidents combined." Newt Gingrich stated on December 15, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Sioux City, Iowa: "I balanced the budget for four straight years, paid off $405 billion in debt." Michele Bachmann stated on December 15, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Sioux City, Iowa: "After the debate that we had last week, PolitiFact came out and said that everything I said was true." Newt Gingrich stated on December 10, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Des Moines, Iowa: In New York City, "an entry level janitor gets paid twice as much as an entry level teacher." David Brooks stated on December 9, 2011 in a column in the New York Times: Newt Gingrich "has suggested" building "a mirror system in space" could improve the Earth’s habitability. Michele Bachmann stated on December 10, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Des Moines, Iowa: In 1993, Newt Gingrich "first advocated for the individual mandate in health care. And as recently as May of this year, he was still advocating" for it. Barack Obama stated on December 6, 2011 in a speech in Osawatomie, Kan.: "Some billionaires have a tax rate as low as 1 percent." Newt Gingrich stated on December 6, 2011 in an interview with Fox News' Greta Van Susteren: Says the congressional ethics investigation against him was conducted by "a very partisan political committee" in a way that "related more to the politics of the Democratic Party than to ethics." Newt Gingrich stated on December 5, 2011 in a press conference: "The only reason the unemployment rate is going down is because … twice as many people dropped out of the employment pool as the number of jobs were created." Newt Gingrich stated on December 5, 2011 in a press conference: President Barack Obama "has now spent three years proving that he kills jobs in energy, he kills jobs in manufacturing." David Axelrod stated on December 5, 2011 in an interview on NBC's "The Daily Rundown": Says Newt Gingrich is responsible for the gridlocked politics of Washington. Joe Biden stated on December 1, 2011 in an interview on NBC's "Today Show": In Iraq, "violence is down to an all-time low" since the start of the war. Newt Gingrich stated on November 30, 2011 in a speech in Council Bluffs, Iowa: People can use food stamps "for anything," including "to go to Hawaii," and even millionaires can qualify. Barack Obama stated on November 30, 2011 in a speech in Scranton, Pa.: For "the average middle-class family, your taxes today are lower than when I took office." Republican National Committee stated on November 30, 2011 in a Web video: In Pennsylvania, President Barack Obama’s policies have increased unemployment 19 percent, led to the loss of 37,900 manufacturing jobs, and left 189,000 more people in poverty. Democratic National Committee stated on November 28, 2011 in a campaign advertisement: Says Mitt Romney flip-flopped on a taxpayer protection pledge. Democratic National Committee stated on November 28, 2011 in a campaign advertisement: Says Mitt Romney flip-flopped on an assault weapons ban. Democratic National Committee stated on November 28, 2011 in a campaign ad: Says Mitt Romney flip-flopped on supporting "the president's Recovery Act." Democratic National Committee stated on November 28, 2011 in a campaign ad: Says Mitt Romney flip-flopped on abortion. Newt Gingrich stated on November 22, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Washington, D.C.: In Chile "they have 72 percent of the GDP in savings." Mitt Romney stated on November 21, 2011 in a television ad: Says Barack Obama said, "If we keep talking about the economy, we’re going to lose." John Kerry stated on November 20, 2011 in an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press": Says the Simpson-Bowles deficit reduction proposal urged raising $2 trillion in new revenue. Facebook posts stated on November 17, 2011 in Facebook: 1 percent of Americans are millionaires. 47 percent of House Reps. are millionaires. 56 percent of Senators are millionaires. Greg Abbott stated on November 9, 2011 in a tweet: "Obama has (a) new Christmas tree tax." Debbie Wasserman Schultz stated on November 13, 2011 in an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press": After losing 750,000 jobs a month before this administration, the U.S. economy under Barack Obama has had 20 straight months of growth, has added 2.8 million jobs in the private sector and added "millions of jobs in manufacturing." Ron Paul stated on November 12, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Spartanburg, S.C.: "Torture is illegal by our laws. It's illegal by international laws." Newt Gingrich stated on November 9, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Michigan: "By 2014, there will be one administrator for every teacher on college campuses in the United States." Bill Clinton stated on November 8, 2011 in an interview on The Daily Show: Solar and wind energy are "both cheaper than nuclear right now." Nancy Pelosi stated on November 9, 2011 in an interview with Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show": In April 2009 "the Democrats were in control, and the congressional (approval) rating was 40 percent." Michele Bachmann stated on November 9, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Michigan: "By 2015, we will be sending so much interest" to China that "we will be paying for the entire People's Liberation Army."
Mitt Romney stated on December 15, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Sioux City, Iowa: "We’re $15 trillion now in debt, with a president that’s racked up as much debt as almost all of the other presidents combined."
Newt Gingrich stated on December 15, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Sioux City, Iowa: "I balanced the budget for four straight years, paid off $405 billion in debt."
Michele Bachmann stated on December 15, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Sioux City, Iowa: "After the debate that we had last week, PolitiFact came out and said that everything I said was true."
Newt Gingrich stated on December 10, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Des Moines, Iowa: In New York City, "an entry level janitor gets paid twice as much as an entry level teacher."
David Brooks stated on December 9, 2011 in a column in the New York Times: Newt Gingrich "has suggested" building "a mirror system in space" could improve the Earth’s habitability.
Michele Bachmann stated on December 10, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Des Moines, Iowa: In 1993, Newt Gingrich "first advocated for the individual mandate in health care. And as recently as May of this year, he was still advocating" for it.
Barack Obama stated on December 6, 2011 in a speech in Osawatomie, Kan.: "Some billionaires have a tax rate as low as 1 percent."
Newt Gingrich stated on December 6, 2011 in an interview with Fox News' Greta Van Susteren: Says the congressional ethics investigation against him was conducted by "a very partisan political committee" in a way that "related more to the politics of the Democratic Party than to ethics."
Newt Gingrich stated on December 5, 2011 in a press conference: "The only reason the unemployment rate is going down is because … twice as many people dropped out of the employment pool as the number of jobs were created."
Newt Gingrich stated on December 5, 2011 in a press conference: President Barack Obama "has now spent three years proving that he kills jobs in energy, he kills jobs in manufacturing."
David Axelrod stated on December 5, 2011 in an interview on NBC's "The Daily Rundown": Says Newt Gingrich is responsible for the gridlocked politics of Washington.
Joe Biden stated on December 1, 2011 in an interview on NBC's "Today Show": In Iraq, "violence is down to an all-time low" since the start of the war.
Newt Gingrich stated on November 30, 2011 in a speech in Council Bluffs, Iowa: People can use food stamps "for anything," including "to go to Hawaii," and even millionaires can qualify.
Barack Obama stated on November 30, 2011 in a speech in Scranton, Pa.: For "the average middle-class family, your taxes today are lower than when I took office."
Republican National Committee stated on November 30, 2011 in a Web video: In Pennsylvania, President Barack Obama’s policies have increased unemployment 19 percent, led to the loss of 37,900 manufacturing jobs, and left 189,000 more people in poverty.
Democratic National Committee stated on November 28, 2011 in a campaign advertisement: Says Mitt Romney flip-flopped on a taxpayer protection pledge.
Democratic National Committee stated on November 28, 2011 in a campaign advertisement: Says Mitt Romney flip-flopped on an assault weapons ban.
Democratic National Committee stated on November 28, 2011 in a campaign ad: Says Mitt Romney flip-flopped on supporting "the president's Recovery Act."
Democratic National Committee stated on November 28, 2011 in a campaign ad: Says Mitt Romney flip-flopped on abortion.
Newt Gingrich stated on November 22, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Washington, D.C.: In Chile "they have 72 percent of the GDP in savings."
Mitt Romney stated on November 21, 2011 in a television ad: Says Barack Obama said, "If we keep talking about the economy, we’re going to lose."
John Kerry stated on November 20, 2011 in an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press": Says the Simpson-Bowles deficit reduction proposal urged raising $2 trillion in new revenue.
Facebook posts stated on November 17, 2011 in Facebook: 1 percent of Americans are millionaires. 47 percent of House Reps. are millionaires. 56 percent of Senators are millionaires.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz stated on November 13, 2011 in an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press": After losing 750,000 jobs a month before this administration, the U.S. economy under Barack Obama has had 20 straight months of growth, has added 2.8 million jobs in the private sector and added "millions of jobs in manufacturing."
Ron Paul stated on November 12, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Spartanburg, S.C.: "Torture is illegal by our laws. It's illegal by international laws."
Newt Gingrich stated on November 9, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Michigan: "By 2014, there will be one administrator for every teacher on college campuses in the United States."
Bill Clinton stated on November 8, 2011 in an interview on The Daily Show: Solar and wind energy are "both cheaper than nuclear right now."
Nancy Pelosi stated on November 9, 2011 in an interview with Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show": In April 2009 "the Democrats were in control, and the congressional (approval) rating was 40 percent."
Michele Bachmann stated on November 9, 2011 in a Republican presidential debate in Michigan: "By 2015, we will be sending so much interest" to China that "we will be paying for the entire People's Liberation Army."
