Campaign ads have inundated social media in the lead up to Super Tuesday, as presidential candidates vie for primary voters in 15 states and one territory. Some of these ads contain false or misleading information about political opponents, including claims about policy proposals and mental fitness.
The USA TODAY Fact-Check Team has debunked several of these claims, including one that falsely stated that a plan proposed by Nikki Haley would cut Social Security benefits for 82% of Americans. The ad distorted Haley’s comments about raising the retirement age for younger workers and there is no evidence to support the claim.
Another false claim suggested that former President Donald Trump proposed a 10% ‘across-the-board’ tax increase if re-elected, when in reality he proposed placing a 10% tariff on imported goods.
A misleading ad implied that Haley opposed a wall on the US border, when in fact she called for additional border security measures to complement the wall. Additionally, an ad that suggested Haley reversed herself by pushing for a gas tax hike as governor failed to provide context, as the gas tax increase was paired with an income tax cut.
Lastly, a false claim stated that Joe Biden was declared ‘mentally unfit’ to stand trial, however, the special counsel investigating Biden’s handling of classified documents did not make such a judgment.
These fact checks highlight the importance of verifying information spread by campaign ads on social media to ensure voters are well-informed.
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