Former President Donald Trump made a series of false claims in a recent interview with conservative host Megyn Kelly. Let’s fact-check these claims one by one: DeSantis and Vaccines: Trump falsely claimed that Florida under Governor Ron DeSantis “sort of had a mandate” on Covid-19 vaccines. The fact is that DeSantis never imposed a Covid-19 vaccine mandate in Florida. He consistently stated that taking the vaccine would be a choice for individuals.
Trump’s Commendation of Fauci: Trump falsely claimed that he didn’t know who gave Dr. Anthony Fauci a presidential commendation and that he wouldn’t have done it. In reality, Trump awarded Fauci a commendation on his last day in office in January 2021 as part of the Operation Warp Speed initiative. Pandemic Policy in Other States: Trump inaccurately stated that the governors of South Carolina and Tennessee “didn’t shut down at all” during the Covid-19 pandemic. Both states did impose restrictions early in the pandemic, including closing non-essential businesses and schools. Trump’s Endorsement of DeSantis: Trump claimed he endorsed Ron DeSantis for governor of Florida because DeSantis defended him during impeachment hoaxes. However, his endorsement took place in 2018, well before the impeachment inquiries related to Ukraine. Trump and Impeachment: Trump claimed that he “never had an inquiry” during the impeachment proceedings against him. This is false; there was an impeachment inquiry in the House before both of his impeachments, and it included hearings and testimony. Medication and the Military: Trump inaccurately asserted that members of the military are not allowed to take drugs. The military allows prescribed medications, including hormones prescribed to transgender individuals or others with medical conditions. These factual inaccuracies highlight the importance of fact-checking statements made by public figures to ensure an accurate understanding of events and policies. Former President Donald Trump recently made a series of false claims during an interview with conservative host Megyn Kelly. These claims covered a range of topics, from Covid-19 vaccines to his own impeachment. Fact-checking is essential to ensure that public figures are held accountable for the accuracy of their statements. In this article, we will examine each of Trump’s claims and provide the factual context. DeSantis and Vaccines: During the interview, Trump claimed that Florida, under Governor Ron DeSantis, had a “sort of mandate” on Covid-19 vaccines. However, this statement is false.
DeSantis never imposed any Covid-19 vaccine mandate in Florida. He consistently emphasized that taking the vaccine should be an individual choice, and he discouraged any form of vaccine mandate. Trump’s assertion that Florida “sort of had a mandate” is not supported by the facts. Even before the FDA granted emergency use authorization for Covid-19 vaccines, DeSantis stated that he would not mandate vaccinations, leaving it up to the discretion of Floridians. Later, DeSantis signed an executive order banning vaccine passports and prohibiting businesses from requiring proof of vaccination for entry or services. Trump’s Commendation of Fauci: Trump claimed that he didn’t know who awarded Dr. Anthony Fauci a presidential commendation and that he wouldn’t have done it himself. However, this statement is also false. On his last day in office in January 2021, Trump awarded Fauci and others a presidential commendation as part of the Operation Warp Speed initiative. The commendation was announced by the Trump White House, and Trump’s involvement in the decision is clear. While Trump might suggest that he was not closely tied to the commendation, it’s implausible to claim he had no knowledge of it, given its significance and the standard procedure for such honors. Pandemic Policy in Other States: Trump inaccurately stated that the governors of South Carolina and Tennessee “didn’t shut down at all” during the Covid-19 pandemic. Contrary to this claim, both states imposed significant restrictions early in the pandemic, including the closure of non-essential businesses and schools. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee took measures to limit the spread of the virus, just like many other states. While the specific policies and timing varied, it is incorrect to assert that these states remained entirely open throughout the pandemic. Trump’s Endorsement of DeSantis: Trump repeated a story about his endorsement of Ron DeSantis during the 2018 Republican primary for governor of Florida. He suggested that his endorsement was based on DeSantis’s defense of him during impeachment proceedings. However, this timeline does not align with the facts. Trump officially endorsed DeSantis in June 2018, long before the impeachment inquiries related to Ukraine came into play in the fall of 2019. Trump’s endorsement of DeSantis was not connected to the impeachment proceedings, as he claimed during the interview. Trump and Impeachment: Trump stated that he “never had an inquiry” during the impeachment proceedings against him. This claim is false. Before the House impeached Trump for the first time, there was a formal impeachment inquiry in the House of Representatives. This inquiry included hearings, closed-door sessions, and the release of a report summarizing its findings. The House initiated an impeachment inquiry after Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced it in September 2019. The inquiry was a comprehensive process that led to Trump’s first impeachment in December 2019, following the House’s investigation. Trump’s assertion that there was no inquiry is inaccurate, as the House conducted a thorough investigation before voting on impeachment. Medication and the Military: During the interview, Trump criticized the Biden administration’s reversal of a Trump-era policy that banned most transgender people from enlisting in the military. To defend his policy, Trump repeated a false claim he had previously made during his presidency. Trump asserted that members of the military are not allowed to take drugs, including transgender individuals. This statement is incorrect. Members of the military are allowed to take prescribed medications, including hormones that may be prescribed to transgender individuals or anyone with specific medical conditions. The Defense Department clarified this during Trump’s presidency, emphasizing that medically necessary treatments and prescription medications, including hormone therapy, are covered by the Military Health System. It is incorrect to claim that the military prohibits all drug use. In conclusion, fact-checking is crucial to ensure that public figures’ statements are accurate and based on verifiable information. Former President Donald Trump made several false claims during his recent interview with Megyn Kelly, spanning various topics, from Covid-19 vaccines to impeachment inquiries. Providing accurate information and context is essential to maintain transparency and accountability in public discourse.