The Republican presidential candidate has been under scrutiny for making inaccurate or misleading claims regarding various topics such as abortion, trans youth, foreign policy, and domestic issues. These claims have drawn attention and prompted fact-checking efforts.
Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina, was the first prominent candidate to challenge former President Donald J. Trump’s bid for the Republican presidential nomination.
Since entering the race in February, Ms. Haley has expressed her opinions on social issues and utilized her background as a former United Nations ambassador under Mr. Trump to criticize the current U.S. foreign policy.
In light of her recent remarks on the campaign trail, fact-checkers have examined the accuracy of her statements to ensure accurate information is provided to the public.
Sex and gender issues
Nikki Haley made several statements that have been fact-checked for accuracy. Here’s an overview of what she said and the corresponding fact-checking results:
Statement: “Roe v. Wade came in and threw out 46 state laws and suddenly said abortion any time, anywhere, for any reason.”
Fact-check: This statement is exaggerated. While Roe v. Wade did establish a constitutional right to abortion, it also recognized that states can impose restrictions after fetal viability.
The decision did not grant unrestricted access to abortion “any time, anywhere, for any reason.” The viability threshold at the time of the decision was around 28 weeks, and it has now shifted to around 23 or 24 weeks due to medical advancements.
Before the Supreme Court overturned Roe in June 2022, many states had restrictions on abortion, including bans between 13 and 24 weeks and bans at viability.
Statement: “How are we supposed to get our girls used to the fact that biological boys are in their locker rooms? And then we wonder why a third of our teenage girls seriously contemplated suicide last year.”
Fact-check: This statement lacks evidence. While there has been an increase in depression and suicidal ideation among teenage girls, no research supports the claim that the presence of trans youth athletes in locker rooms or increased awareness of LGBTQ+ issues is a causal or contributing factor.
Experts point to various complex factors such as economic stress, social media influence, puberty at a younger age, adult caretaker depression, decreased play and peer-related time, social problems, and higher risk for mental health issues among LGBTQ+ youth.
Claiming a direct link between these issues and the presence of trans youth in locker rooms is unfounded.
The fact-checking analysis challenges the accuracy and validity of Nikki Haley’s statements, highlighting the need for evidence-based claims when discussing important societal issues.
Foreign policy
Here’s a fact-check of Nikki Haley’s statements regarding environmental issues and foreign aid:
Statement: “If we want to really fix the environment, then let’s start having serious conversations with India and China. They are our polluters. They’re the ones that are causing the problem.”
Fact-check: While it’s true that China is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases and India is the third-largest emitter, it’s important to provide context. The United States is the second-largest emitting country globally.
Additionally, when considering emissions per capita, both China and India release fewer emissions compared to wealthier nations.
In 2021, China emitted 8.7 metric tons of carbon dioxide per capita, India emitted 1.9 metric tons, while the United States emitted 14.24 metric tons. It’s crucial to acknowledge that historical responsibility for emissions also differs among nations, with the United States having a significant share.
Statement: “Last year, we gave over $50 billion in foreign aid.”
Fact-check: While the United States did provide $50 billion in foreign aid in the 2022 fiscal year, it’s misleading to imply that the entirety of this aid went to the countries mentioned.
In reality, the six countries singled out by Haley received a total of approximately $835 million in aid, which accounts for only 1.7 percent of the total amount.
Moreover, the majority of foreign aid is not directly handed over to foreign governments but is channeled through American entities, international charities, or federal agencies to carry out specific projects.
The fact-checking analysis reveals the need to provide context and accurate information when discussing environmental issues and foreign aid.
Understanding the complexities and nuances of these topics is essential for informed discussions and decision-making.
Domestic policy
Here’s a fact-check of Nikki Haley’s statements regarding illegal immigrants and unspent Covid dollars:
Statement: “We will stop giving the hundreds of billions of dollars of handouts to illegal immigrants.”
Fact-check: The claim that the United States provides “hundreds of billions” of dollars in handouts to illegal immigrants is disputed. Unauthorized immigrants are generally ineligible for most federal social safety net programs, such as Medicaid and food stamps.
While there have been instances of local governments providing certain benefits to unauthorized immigrants, such as one-time payments or participation in specific programs, these examples do not add up to “hundreds of billions.” An estimate by the Federation for American Immigration Reform, often criticized for its methodology, claims that illegal immigration costs the United States and local governments $135.2 billion each year.
However, other research organizations, like the Cato Institute and the American Immigration Council, have found flaws in this estimate and suggest much lower net costs ranging from $3.3 billion to $15.6 billion.
Statement: “Let’s start by clawing back the $500 billion of unspent Covid dollars that are out there.”
Fact-check: Ms. Haley’s claim that there are $500 billion of unspent Covid dollars is exaggerated. The actual amount of unspent coronavirus emergency funding is estimated to be around $60 billion.
Additionally, a budget deal between President Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy signed into law rescinded approximately $30 billion of the leftover funds.
It’s important to note that while Congress passed trillions of dollars in response to Covid-19, a significant portion of those funds has already been spent.
The calculations of unspent funds vary, but estimates suggest the amount to be significantly lower than $500 billion, closer to $60 billion or less.
These fact-checks highlight the importance of providing accurate information and context when discussing topics such as government spending and benefits for unauthorized immigrants.
Understanding the nuances and complexities of these issues is crucial for informed discussions and policymaking.