Stand up for the facts!

Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.

More Info

I would like to contribute

HBO's Oliver is right: Mitch McConnell isn't a 'homegrown Kentucky girl'

John Oliver used the Truth-O-Meter Sunday during a bit about the Kentucky Senate race. John Oliver used the Truth-O-Meter Sunday during a bit about the Kentucky Senate race.

John Oliver used the Truth-O-Meter Sunday during a bit about the Kentucky Senate race.

Aaron Sharockman
By Aaron Sharockman May 12, 2014

John Oliver decided to have a little fun mocking the U.S. Senate race in Kentucky on his new show, Last Week Tonight.

And he used the Truth-O-Meter to help deliver a punchline.

Oliver showed ads being aired by Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell and Democratic challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes as a way to poke fun at the race, saying McConnell is bashing Lundergan Grimes because she doesn't like coal while Lundergan Grimes is attacking McConnell for being old.

At one point, Oliver showed a clip of Lundergan Grimes proudly saying she's a "homegrown Kentucky girl" in contrast to McConnell. 

"She's not wrong. She's not wrong," Oliver said. "Mitch McConnell is not a homegrown Kentucky girl.

Sign up for PolitiFact texts

"PolitiFact rates that one as True," Oliver said, as a graphic of our Truth-O-Meter popped up on the screen. 

For the record, we haven't checked that one. But PolitiFact has spent some time fact-checking some other claims in the race. Read McConnell's file here. And read the file on Lundergan Grimes here.

Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter

Our Sources

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, HBO, May 11, 2014

Browse the Truth-O-Meter

More by Aaron Sharockman

HBO's Oliver is right: Mitch McConnell isn't a 'homegrown Kentucky girl'