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Fact-checking the Republican Fox Business Network debate

National

Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson was one of the main-debate participants in the Fox Business Network debate in Milwaukee.

Angie Drobnic Holan

By Angie Drobnic Holan November 9, 2015

Compare the Truth-O-Meter records of the Republican candidates as we await the Republican Fox Business Network debate. The undercard debate begins at 7 p.m. ET; the main debate begins at 9 p.m. ET.

See fact-checks for sources.

stated on September 27, 2020 in a speech:

Says Amy Coney Barrett “has a written track record, disagreeing adamantly with the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the ACA. In fact, she publicly criticized Chief Justice Roberts’ opinion upholding the law eight years ago.”

mostly-true

mostly-true

Instagram posts

stated on September 22, 2020 in an Instagram post:

Like Al-Qaeda and ISIS, Amy Coney Barrett has said her “end goal is to end the separation of church and state & build a ‘Kingdom of God’ in the United States.”

false

false

stated on March 23, 2019 in a speech:

Says that the Council on American-Islamic Relations was founded in response to 9/11.

false

false

stated on September 4, 2016 in an interview on "Meet the Press":

Says Hillary Clinton "wants to increase Syrian refugees to this country by 550 percent."

true

true

Antonio Sabato Jr.

stated on July 19, 2016 in an interview with ABC News:

Says President Barack Obama is "absolutely" a Muslim.

pants-fire

pants-fire

stated on June 22, 2016 in a speech in New York City:

Says Hillary Clinton "said she was under attack (in Bosnia) but the attack turned out to be young girls handing her flowers."

true

true

stated on January 17, 2016 in an interview on "Meet the Press":

Hostages were released as soon as Ronald Reagan took office because Iran perceived that America was "no longer under the command of someone weak."

pants-fire

pants-fire

stated on September 27, 2015 in an interview on ABC's "This Week":

"We've had examples like in Yuma County, where we've been able to stop 97 percent of the illegal (immigration) flow, and those programs, they abolish."

barely-true

barely-true

stated on October 14, 2014 in a campaign ad:

Says Rick Scott changed his promise from 700,000 jobs created "on top of what normal growth would be" to just 700,000 jobs.

true

true

stated on March 3, 2014 in in an interview on CNN:

On the economic stimulus.

half-flip

half-flip

Americans For Tax Reform

stated on April 14, 2014 in in a press release:

"Obama has proposed 442 tax hikes since taking office."

barely-true

barely-true

National Republican Congressional Committee

stated on February 12, 2014 in a television ad:

"300,000 Floridians will lose their current health plans" because of Obamacare, a plan Alex Sink supports.

half-true

half-true

Janet Napolitano

stated on August 27, 2013 in a speech at the National Press Club:

The 2010 DREAM Act failed despite "strong bipartisan support."

barely-true

barely-true

stated on May 29, 2013 in a chain email:

Says the word "Dhimmitude" is on page 107 of the health care law and means "Muslims are specifically exempted from the government mandate to purchase insurance."

pants-fire

pants-fire

stated on May 3, 2013 in a position on legislation:

On an early date for Florida's presidential primary

full-flop

full-flop

Elise Stefanik
stated on November 7, 2025 in a television interview:

Gov. Kathy Hochul has raised taxes.

By Jill Terreri Ramos • December 11, 2025
Donald Trump
stated on December 9, 2025 in public events:

The U.S. has received promises of investments totaling $18 trillion to $22 trillion since January.

By Louis Jacobson • December 9, 2025
Tim Walz
stated on November 30, 2025 in an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press":

“I take responsibility for putting people in jail” in Minnesota fraud scandal.

By Amy Sherman • December 5, 2025
Donald Trump
stated on December 1, 2025 in una publicación en Truth Social:

Video muestra noticia de “última hora” en el que el presidente venezolano Nicolás Maduro se “rindió públicamente” ante el presidente Donald Trump.

By Maria Briceño • December 4, 2025
Donald Trump
stated on December 2, 2025 in a Truth Social post:

Any pardon signed with an autopen is now "fully and completely terminated, and is of no legal effect."

By Louis Jacobson • December 4, 2025
Facebook posts
stated on December 1, 2025 in a Facebook post:

A new North Carolina law “prohibits the use of wireless communication devices while driving.”

By Paul Specht • December 4, 2025
Donald Trump
stated on December 1, 2025 in a Truth Social post:

Video shows “breaking” news that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro "publicly surrendered" to President Donald Trump.

By Maria Briceño • December 3, 2025
Richard Hudson
stated on November 24, 2025 in a newsletter:

“This Thanksgiving, turkey prices are at their lowest point since 2000.”

By Paul Specht • November 26, 2025
Social Media
stated on November 20, 2025 in social media posts:

The Trump administration removed nursing from the list of professional degree programs, affecting aspiring nurses’ student loan access.

By Madison Czopek • November 26, 2025
Donald Trump
stated on November 22, 2025 in a Truth Social post:

“I have just gotten the highest poll numbers of my ‘political career.’”

By Louis Jacobson • November 24, 2025